Get Ready, Go Digital, Stay Connected: Cambridgeshire Campaign supporting residents through the national Digital Switchover from traditional to upgraded landlines
Support is being offered to traditional landline users as all residents are to be upgraded with digital technology by January 2027.
Known as the digital switchover, this transition will make services more future-proof, reliable, and ready to support modern digital communications. However, some people – particularly older and more vulnerable residents – may need support in understanding and managing the change.
To ensure that no one is left behind, Connecting Cambridgeshire has launched ‘Get Ready, Go Digital, Stay Connected’, a dedicated awareness and support campaign to help residents get ready.
The switchover will mainly affect people without an internet connection at home, those who rely on a traditional landline, not already upgraded to a digital phone service, and users of telecare and personal alarm systems, such as fall monitors or lifelines.
What is the Digital Switchover?
The UK’s telephone network is undergoing an upgrade that will result in phone calls using an internet connection to make digital, or Voice over Internet Protocol, phone calls. This will offer clearer call quality, better security, and more features for users.
For many, the switchover will be straightforward and will involve simply plugging their phone into a broadband router instead of a traditional phone socket.
Telephone service providers are responsible for upgrading customers to the new technology. However, all residents are being encouraged to contact their phone provider and check if, and how, the digital switchover might affect them.
What do residents need to do?
- Check if the change affects you
Your phone provider should get in touch ahead of the switch, but residents are encouraged to proactively call their phone company to find out how they might be affected.
Call the Customer Service number on a recent phone bill or look it up on your phone provider’s website.
- Be aware of scams
The switchover does not require any upfront payments. Be cautious of contact from someone claiming to be your phone provider.
Verify calls, don’t make rush decisions, and report scams.
- Support vulnerable friends, family, and neighbours
Many older people may feel unsure or worried about this change. Is there someone you can support?
A little help from the community can make a big difference. Ask for help if you need it, or offer support if you can.
Recognising that older and more vulnerable residents are best supported in trusted, community locations, local libraries are acting as information hubs for the campaign.
Every library – including community and mobile libraries – in Cambridgeshire has free printed information available about the Digital Switchover. Particularly vulnerable residents, for whom their landline is a lifeline, should ask for a copy of the leaflet ‘Prepare for the Digital Switchover in 3 easy steps’.
Advertising space has been secured on the four mobile libraries, making more than 500 stops at villages and communities across the district, helping to increase overall visibility of the campaign.
The key action to ‘check how and if the digital switchover affects you’ is also being spread through connections with other local community support groups and organisations.
The Connecting Cambridgeshire team will also be attending a number of events in the coming months, giving residents the opportunity to talk to someone face to face about the switchover.
Essential information about the switchover – particularly useful for those wanting to support friends and family – is available on the Connecting Cambridgeshire website.
Will Plant, digital inclusion lead at Connecting Cambridgeshire, said: “We know that for many people, especially older residents, their landline is a vital connection to the world.
“We want to ensure that no one is left behind during this change. With campaign branding travelling to hundreds of communities on mobile libraries, we are ensuring the message gets seen in even the most rural spots.
“By providing clear, practical information and by engaging local communities, we’re helping people feel confident about what’s changing and what they need to do next.
“Phone providers are responsible for upgrading their customers to the new service. By equipping residents with clear information and local support, we aim to ease concerns and ensure a smooth transition, especially for those who rely on their landline as a vital connection.”