In short: UK landlines are moving from the old analogue network to digital, and GOV.UK says the upgrade is expected to be complete by January 2027. Digital landlines can't carry power, so the phone and router need power at home or a back-up such as a battery, and telecare devices may not work in a power cut. Providers should offer at least one way to reach emergency services for at least an hour in a power cut, free for at-risk customers who depend on their landline. Tell your provider if you rely on your landline, and keep a charged mobile as a back-up.
Key facts
- GOV.UK says the upgrade from analogue to digital landlines is expected to be complete by January 2027. Source
- GOV.UK says digital landlines cannot carry a power connection, so handsets and routers need power at home or a back-up such as a battery. Source
- Under Ofcom's 2018 guidance, as summarised by GOV.UK, providers should offer at least one solution giving access to emergency services for a minimum of one hour in a power cut at the premises, free for at-risk customers who depend on their landline. Source
- GOV.UK says telecare devices on digital lines may not work during a power cut, and that people who are vulnerable or depend on a landline should tell their provider. Source
- Be Ready says vulnerable customers, such as telecare users, can ask their provider for a free battery unit to keep a landline running in a power cut. Source
- Be Ready says emergency calls from mobiles can use any available mobile network, so try both a mobile and a landline if 999 or 112 won't connect. Source
Want this written down for your home? Power Cut & Blackout Plan — printable, £4.99.
For decades a basic corded phone kept working in a power cut, because the old copper line carried a little power from the exchange. That is changing. UK landlines are moving to digital, and GOV.UK says the upgrade is expected to be complete by January 2027. For most homes nothing much changes day to day. The difference shows up in a power cut, and for anyone who relies on a telecare alarm.
What changes in a power cut
GOV.UK explains that digital landlines can't carry a power connection. So the handset and the router need power at home, or a back-up such as a battery. With the power off and no back-up, a digital landline won't make calls, including to 999.
| Old analogue line | Digital landline | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic corded phone in a power cut | Can often still work, while the exchange has power | Needs power at home or a back-up |
| Router | Not needed for calls | Needed for calls |
| Telecare and alarms | Worked on the old line | May not work in a power cut (GOV.UK) |
Battery back-up: who gets one
GOV.UK summarises Ofcom's 2018 guidance: providers should offer at least one way to reach emergency services for at least one hour in a power cut at your home. That should be free for at-risk customers who depend on their landline, for example people with no mobile or no mobile signal. Be Ready adds that vulnerable customers, such as telecare users, can ask for a free battery unit.
If you have a mobile, GOV.UK notes you can use it as your back-up. Emergency calls from a mobile can use any available network.
Telecare, pendants and alarms
GOV.UK says telecare devices on digital lines may not work in a power cut. Providers and network operators have agreed commitments to protect telecare users, and councils and telecare suppliers are being asked to share which lines have telecare on them. You don't need to wait for that:
- Tell your phone provider the line has telecare, or that someone at home depends on the landline.
- Ask your telecare supplier whether the device works on a digital line, and what happens in a power cut.
- Ask about a battery back-up unit, and where it should sit.
- Check that any other alarms on the line (burglar alarms, fax, lift lines) are compatible. GOV.UK says you may need an upgrade or adaptor.
If you help an older relative, this is a good thing to check on your next visit. Our guide to emergency planning for older people and carers covers the rest.
What to ask your provider
- When will my line move to digital?
- Will my phone, alarm or telecare device work afterwards?
- What happens to calls in a power cut, and what back-up do you offer?
- Can you note on my account that I rely on my landline or am vulnerable?
GOV.UK's advice is to wait for your provider to contact you, and to watch for genuine messages from your provider rather than marketing. If a call or message about "the switch" asks for payment or personal details, hang up and ring your provider on the number on your bill.
A simple back-up plan
- Keep a mobile charged, and a power bank topped up. Our guide on how many charges a power bank gives helps you pick one.
- Keep a paper list of key numbers. Be Ready suggests family, neighbours, your doctor and utilities.
- Keep a battery or wind-up FM radio for updates.
- Know your power cut number: 105 in Great Britain, 03457 643 643 in Northern Ireland.
- If 999 or 112 won't connect, try both a mobile and a landline (Be Ready).
For what to do when broadband or phones go down for other reasons, see broadband and phone outages.
Turn this guide into a written plan
Reading helps. Writing it down is what makes it work when the phones are flat. Start with the free plan builder, or get the full printable version:
For this topicPower Cut & Blackout Plan£4.99
Your whole household planHousehold Emergency Plan Pack£6.99
Bundle · £15.97 separatelyPrepared, Not Panicked bundle£9.99Real pages shown before you buy · instant PDF · one-off price · 30-day refund.
The Power Cut Card for your fridge
Who to call, what to switch off, how long the fridge and freezer stay cold, and how to keep warm. One calm page from official UK advice. Enter your email and we'll take you straight to the download.
We'll also email you when we publish new guides — occasional, never daily. Unsubscribe any time. See our privacy notice.
Frequently asked questions
When is the analogue landline switch-off?
GOV.UK says the upgrade to digital landlines is expected to be complete by January 2027. Some providers may move customers at different times, so ask yours when your line will switch.
Will my digital landline work in a power cut?
Not on its own. GOV.UK says digital landlines can't carry power, so the phone and router need power at home or a back-up such as a battery. A charged mobile is the simplest back-up.
Do I get a free battery back-up?
GOV.UK says providers should offer at least one way to reach emergency services for at least an hour in a power cut, and that it should be free for at-risk customers who depend on their landline. Be Ready says vulnerable customers, such as telecare users, can ask for a free battery unit. Ask your provider.
What about telecare alarms and pendants?
GOV.UK says telecare devices on digital lines may not work in a power cut. Tell your phone provider and your telecare supplier that the line has telecare, and ask whether the device is compatible and what back-up it has.
Someone called me about the digital switch. Is it genuine?
GOV.UK says to wait for your provider to contact you and to watch for genuine provider messages rather than marketing. If in doubt, call your provider on the number on your bill, not a number given in the call or message.
I don't want broadband. Can I keep a landline?
Yes. GOV.UK says a landline-only option remains available for people who don't have or want broadband.
Sources
- GOV.UK: UK transition from analogue to digital landlines (checked 31 Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK Be Ready: Phone and broadband outages (checked 31 Oct 2026)
- Ofcom: Broadband and landline faults (checked 28 Oct 2026)