Digital landline switchover raises fresh questions about emergency calls during power cuts

Millions of UK households are moving from traditional telephone lines to digital services, but the change has important implications for anyone relying on a landline during a power cut.

Unlike older corded analogue telephones, which could often continue working when household electricity failed, digital landlines generally require a powered broadband router or other equipment.

Without backup power, they may stop working during an outage.

With the UK’s transition to digital telephone technology approaching its January 2027 target, households are being encouraged to check how they would contact emergency services if their electricity supply was interrupted.

The issue is particularly relevant following renewed interest in Black Sky emergency scenarios and the resilience of essential communications.

Why are UK landlines changing?

The traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is being replaced because the ageing infrastructure has become increasingly difficult to maintain.

Digital telephone services use internet-based technology to carry calls.

For many customers, the change may involve connecting an existing handset to a broadband router rather than plugging it into a traditional telephone socket.

The telecommunications industry is working towards retiring the old network by January 2027, although individual migration arrangements depend on the provider.

The change is intended to modernise telephone services, but it also alters how some household phones behave during electricity failures.

Will a digital landline work during a power cut?

A digital landline will not normally work without electricity unless suitable backup arrangements are in place.

Both the telephone equipment and the broadband router may need power.

This differs from some traditional corded analogue handsets, which could receive enough electricity through the telephone network to operate during a local power cut.

However, even older analogue services were not guaranteed to remain available during every type of network failure.

According to Ofcom, people who depend on their landline must be provided with a suitable means of contacting emergency services during a power cut.

For eligible customers, this may include a free digital landline backup battery or another appropriate solution.

What protection is available for vulnerable customers?

Ofcom requires providers to take particular care when migrating customers who may be vulnerable or dependent on their telephone service.

This includes people who do not own a mobile phone, have unreliable mobile reception or rely on connected equipment such as telecare alarms.

Providers must offer an appropriate emergency calling solution to customers who depend on their landline.

The minimum resilience requirement is one hour, although some providers supply backup arrangements capable of lasting longer.

Households should not assume that a particular battery will provide enough power for an extended outage.

The actual duration depends on the equipment and arrangements supplied.

Anyone concerned about emergency communications during a power cut should contact their telephone provider to discuss their circumstances.

What about personal alarms and medical equipment?

The digital switchover may also affect equipment that uses a telephone connection.

Examples include personal alarms, fall detectors, telecare devices and some security systems.

Equipment that worked with an analogue telephone line may need modification or replacement before it can operate reliably on a digital service.

A device may also require its own backup power supply.

People who rely on such equipment should contact both their telephone provider and the organisation responsible for the device.

Compatibility and emergency arrangements should be confirmed before migration.

Can mobile phones provide an alternative?

For many households, a charged mobile phone offers a practical alternative if a digital landline becomes unavailable.

In the UK, emergency calls can use another available mobile network if the customer’s usual network has no coverage.

However, this depends on a suitable network remaining operational.

During a widespread or prolonged power failure, mobile communications infrastructure may also be affected.

For this reason, preparing for a communications blackout should involve more than relying on a single device.

A charged power bank, written emergency contact details and a battery-powered radio can provide useful additional resilience.

What should households do before the switchover?

People who use a landline should check whether their service has already moved to digital technology and what happens if their home loses electricity.

Those who depend on their telephone for emergency calls should tell their provider about their circumstances.

It is also worth checking any connected alarm systems and ensuring that family members understand how to contact help if normal communications fail.

Households may wish to include these arrangements in their family emergency preparedness plan.

For electricity-related emergencies, the free number 105 connects callers to their local electricity network operator.

However, a phone connection must still be available to make the call.

Preparing for a more digital future

The landline switchover is not evidence that widespread power failures are becoming inevitable.

It does, however, illustrate how everyday services increasingly depend on electricity and connected technology.

For households, understanding these dependencies is an important part of practical emergency planning.

Checking telephone backup arrangements now could prevent a serious problem during a future power cut, particularly for people who rely on landlines or connected care equipment.

As Britain continues its transition to digital communications, power cut preparedness needs to include a reliable way of contacting help when it matters most.

Sources

• Ofcom: Your landline is going digital (updated August 2026)
• House of Commons Library: The switch to digital landlines (April 2026)
• UK government: Moving landlines to digital technologies

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