The End of Landlines: Moving to VoIP
Why your old phone won't plug into the wall anymore.
The PSTN Switch Off
The UK’s traditional copper telephone network (PSTN) has been switched off. The era of the “landline” plugged into a master socket in the wall is over. All voice calls are now digital, routed over the internet. This is called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) or “Digital Voice.”
How it Works on CityFibre
CityFibre is a data-only network. There is no copper voice voltage on the line. If you order a home phone package with your CityFibre broadband:
- The Router is the Base: You will plug your existing telephone handset into the back of your Wi-Fi router (which usually has a green phone port).
- Same Number: You can “Port” your old 01xxxx number to the new service so friends can still call you.
- Same Experience: You pick up the phone, get a dial tone, and dial. It feels exactly the same.
The One Big Downside: Power Cuts
Old copper phones worked during power cuts because they were powered by the exchange. VoIP phones do not work in a power cut. Your router and ONT need electricity.
If you live in an area with frequent power outages, or if you rely on your landline for emergency 999 calls (e.g., you have no mobile signal), this is a risk. Vulnerable customers (elderly, those with telecare pendants) should inform their ISP. The ISP is required to provide a free Battery Backup Unit (BBU) that keeps the phone line alive for at least an hour during an outage.
The Verdict
For most people, the switch is seamless. In fact, many people use this opportunity to ditch the landline tax entirely and go “Broadband Only,” using mobile phones for all calls.