Landline obsolete in are I live end of December 2023

[Sally36]

Had notification I will no longer have a landline phone in area I live December 2023 and that it all goes digital how does this work and what action should I take in regards to the sky talk ? Have had nothing direct from sky and need to know how to proceed and sort this out. Can any one advise how I sort this problem thank you

[Mark39]

Who was the notification from?

If you're moving to a digital landline with Sky Talk, you'll either have or Sky will send you a Broadband Hub which has a standard telephone socket at the back and an LED indicator on the front panel labelled 'Voice'. 

All you will need to do is unplug your phone handset from the wall socket and plug it into the socket at the back of the Hub. You'll then be able to make and receive calls in the same way as you have previously.

The differences are that in the event of a power cut or your broadband fails for whatever reason, your phone service will also not work. Charges for calls are exactly the same as you pay now.

Edited to add - Sky offer some help on Internet Calls, as it is called,  here: https://www.sky.com/help/articles/about-internet-calls

[Sally36]

Hi Mark39

thank you for the response but I need the landline to work all the time due to having priority medical needs. Is there anything else that can be arranged? To ensure telephone access once switched over otherwise what is the point in having the service?

[Mark39]

@Sally36 so far as we know, Sky don't currently have a solution for provision of service in the event of a broadband or power failure. I'd suggest giving them a call to explain your circumstances and ask how they can help. 

Personally, I see no advantages to Internet calling, only downsides but nevertheless, the switch off of the analogue phone network will affect everyone by 2025.

[cymru123]

These guidance should also give you some ideas on how you can continue to power the Sky router, ONT of on full fibre and phone:

• Thinkbroadband digital voice switchover guidance: https://www.thinkbroadband.com/guides/digital-voice-pstn-switch-off-and-telephone-extensions

• Thinkbroadband guidance on how to stay online in a powercut: https://www.thinkbroadband.com/guides/how-to-stay-online-if-uk-experiences-rolling-power-cuts

If you have telecare alarms or medical equipment that uses the phone line today then let Sky know along with the suppliers of your alarm or medical equipment so they can check compatibility and upgrade if needed.

[TimmyBGood]

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@Sally36 wrote:

Is there anything else that can be arranged?

PSTN switch off is going to happen: it's approved by the regulator and UK government 

To ensure telephone access once switched over otherwise what is the point in having the service?

As @cymru123 indicates, the main consideration is actually battery backup rather than the move to digital service itself, because power from the exchange/cabinet ends at the same time as PSTN

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[Kelsingra]

Hi @Sally36 

As you mentioned that you need the phone line to work all the time due to priority medical needs, I wanted to make sure that you know about our Accessibility Team who can give you extra support if needed.


Are you already signed up with the Accessibility Team? Once registered there are also different methods of communication with this team

https://www.skyaccessibility.sky/


Thank you for joining our Community Forum! 🙂