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Campaign by Essex County Council to raise awareness of changes to the UK’s telephone network and the end of analogue phone lines by 2025.
Analogue phone lines will be replaced by a digital landline service and calls will be made over a broadband line.
Residents should be contacted by their telephone provider before anything changes. We are encouraging residents to respond to their provider and discuss what they need to do to keep using their phone line.
Who isn’t affected by the switchover?
For most residents, the change should be straightforward. If you have broadband you will plug your digital landline into your router, instead of a wall-mounted socket.
Make sure your landline stays switched on
Residents should contact their provider if they or someone they know:
- Doesn’t have broadband at home
- Uses a personal alarm or healthcare device
- Has additional needs
- Lives in an area with no mobile signal
Your telephone provider will tell you what you need to do.
Be wary of scams
We’re warning residents to be wary of scams surrounding the switchover. If you receive any requests for money, report it to Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040.
Look out for loved ones and neighbours
Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy, Councillor Lee Scott said:
The digital switchover is a vital step to upgrade current phone lines in the UK, which are very old and unreliable.
However, some residents could be impacted by this change, particularly if they don’t have broadband, use a personal alarm, or have additional needs.
Together with the 12 Essex districts, as well as Southend and Thurrock, we’re urging residents to look out for their loved ones and neighbours and, if they think they could be affected, to contact their telephone provider and make sure they’re aware.
Want to know more?
For the latest information on the switchover, visit Essex County Council – Is your home phone ready to go digital?
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