Overview
- Openreach this week added Gargrave, Huby, York’s Melrosegate and homes served by Bradford’s Low Moor exchange to its phased programme to replace the analogue PSTN with Digital Voice.
- The national switchover must be completed by January 31, 2027 and will retire the copper phone network in favour of internet‑based voice services.
- Most customers can keep their existing landline numbers and often their handsets if they use the right adapter or a compatible digital base unit.
- Retail communications providers will contact affected households in advance to explain the change and answer questions, and residents using telecare or wired alarms should check compatibility with their device supplier.
- The move can require new equipment and power‑backed broadband to keep voice service during power cuts, which may prompt some users to change devices or buy separate broadband and phone services.