Stay Safe Online – The Big Digital Switchover – everything you need to know:
WHAT IS THE BIG DIGITAL SWITCHOVER?
All traditional phone landlines in the UK will be switched off by 2025 – the service is being replaced by a digital landline called ‘Voice over Internet Protocol’ (VoIP). The analogue, copper wire phone network will stop working and any other systems connected to your phone line, like alarms, telecare systems and CCTV will stop working too.
WHY IS IT BEING CHANGED?
The first copper phone line network was set up in 1877 and was designed to transmit voice calls. That’s why internet speeds aren’t as fast when data is sent along copper wires. The first fibre lines were introduced in 1977 which meant larger amounts of data – not just voice calls – could be sent more quickly – and the system has been developed into the current broadband network.
Digital landlines use an internet connection to make and receive calls, so you will need an internet connection at home to use the new landline digital system. If you don’t have a broadband connection, don’t worry, your network provider – such as BT or Virgin Media – should supply you with a connection to support the new digital landline system – FREE OF CHARGE.
In most cases you will be able to keep your current phone number – and your current handset.
However, in the event of a power cut, unlike the analogue system which worked without power, your digital phone will not work unless it has a battery-backup. If you are dependent on your landline phone for health or other reasons, your telephone provider must offer you a ‘resilience solution’ to make sure you can make emergency calls during a power cut. This could be a mobile phone (if you have a mobile signal) or a battery-backup and it should be provided free of charge.
Systems connected to your phone like alarms, telecare systems and CCTV will need to be updated – contact your provider for advice.
WHICH? WARN OF SCAM PHONE CALLS saying landlines will be cut off and asking for payments. Fraudsters are taking advantage of the change and are ringing people saying they need to provide their bank details to ensure their phone will not be disconnected – or asking for payments for digital conversion kits. The move is totally free of charge and landlines will not be cut off without prior notification. Everyone who is affected will be entitled to free digital handsets and adapters for emergency contact devices – there is no charge.
Find out more here:
If you have been affected by a scam – help is out there – Victim Support has a free confidential helpline 0808 168 9111 and so does Mind 0300 123 3393.
Report any scams to www.actionfraud.police.uk
Sign up for Which? Scam alerts: https://campaigns.which.co.uk/scam-alert-service/ Find details of recent scams here: www.actionfraud.police.uk
Published in the February edition of The Whitchurch Gossip
And the February edition of Oswestry Life
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