topic Re: BT Digital Switch Over in Home Phone

BT Digital Switch Over

PeterParslow — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:41:27 GMT

A discussion from a year ago seemed to suggest that those of us who get TalkTalk landline service over BT OpenReach copper wiring will be unaffected by "BT's Digital Switchover".

Is that true?

The only thing I can find from TalkTalk on the subject is this: https://help-centre.talktalk.co.uk/Manage_account/Change_of_circumstance/Telecare_Campaign - which strongly implies that the switch over will affect at least those TalkTalk customers. It would seem odd to me if TalkTalk Telecare customers were not actually using TalkTalk's normal digital "VOIP-like" landline...

Re: BT Digital Switch Over

mandisa1-TT — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:58:52 GMT

Hi there @PeterParslow I will be looking into your account, so I can verify this for you.

Re: BT Digital Switch Over

siphosethu-TT — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:15:03 GMT

I have just had a look at your account, and you do not have telecare alarm registered. To answer your question, the information is not true. Everyone using TalkTalk landline over BT copper wiring will be switched over.

However, regarding the information on the link you've provided above, the information is correct. Thanks

Re: BT Digital Switch Over

Gliwmaeden2 — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:48:32 GMT

@PeterParslow, it's worth following the government's page on all aspects:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-transition-from-analogue-to-digital-landlines

Re: BT Digital Switch Over

mandisa1-TT — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:52:23 GMT

Thank you for the support @Gliwmaeden2 🙂

Re: BT Digital Switch Over

PeterParslow — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:03:25 GMT

My question isn't about Telecare; as you say - I don't have it! I hadn't even heard of it until I tried to find anything from TalkTalk about the switch over.

siphosetu - you say "Everyone using TalkTalk landline over BT copper wiring will be switched over" - that's what I want to hear more about. I know the "BT copper wiring" is owned/managed by (BT) OpenReach, so presumably they will schedule a visit to come & do something. But I am also quite confident that TalkTalk's landline service (over OpenReach copper) is already a digital service - so what exactly will switch?

Gliwaden - you signpost the government page. It says "Communications providers will contact their customers ahead of the migration taking place, so you do not need to take any action until your provider contacts you directly. You should look out for communications material from them and be careful not to confuse this with marketing material." - Have I missed something from TalkTalk, or is it that they know my line is not due to switch for a while, even though others in my town have been switched already?

The government page mentions TalkTalk but only in a bit about Telecare "and other vulnerable customers" - which doesn't include me. But it does include my parents, who are also TalkTalk customers - they have a lot of power cuts, including one recently that lasted several days across their village. They are somewhat concerned that the switch over will leave them with no communications for some time (the village has minimal mobile signal, which is also power dependent - few mobiles have more than a couple of days' battery life). They've also heard nothing from TalkTalk.

The government page links on to an OfCom one, again suggesting that 'your provider' will take the lead.

I guess we sit and wait whilst our neighbours get OpenReach visits....

Re: BT Digital Switch Over

mandisa1-TT — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:10:34 GMT

You are currently on a Fibre to the cabinet package (copper), when you switch you will be switched over to Full fibre which is fibre to the property. However when the time comes, you will be sent communication prior. Full fibre is not yet available in your area.

Re: BT Digital Switch Over

Gliwmaeden2 — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:16:13 GMT

@PeterParslow you will not be able to get advance notice of availability of Full Fibre from Talktalk.

You need to keep checking availability.

When it's essential to get it set up, Talktalk will directly inform you.

You are not correct in assuming that copper lines are digital: "But I am also quite confident that TalkTalk's landline service (over OpenReach copper) is already a digital service - so what exactly will switch".

Fast Broadband is traditional landline and Internet: ADSL and we use a microfilter etc.

Fibre to the cabinet is only copper from the cabinet to the house.

The infrastructure for Fibre to the premises requires different technology and your BT master socket will no longer work when copper is switched off.

Each ISP is working in its own time with engineers from Openreach, Cityfibre and other third parties to set things up, so what neighbours etc have available to them is not necessarily of relevance to your particular situation.

https://help-centre.talktalk.co.uk/Setting_up_my_service/New_order/How_Full_Fibre_is_installed

Re: BT Digital Switch Over

mandisa1-TT — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:14:59 GMT

That is correct @Gliwmaeden2 and thank you for the support