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<p>The retirement of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and its replacement
with Internet Protocol technology, is being led by Openreach and Virgin Media, as
the relevant infrastructure owners. Openreach and Virgin Media have publicly set out
their plans to withdraw these services by the end of 2025. The migration is likely
to affect all fixed exchange lines, of which there are 31.3 million in the UK.</p><p><strong>
</strong></p><p>Ofcom estimates that 81% of UK households have a landline service,
with 4% of UK adults living in a home with a landline and no mobile phone and 3% of
UK households having only a landline without any broadband. The Government, Ofcom,
and industry are working to ensure that the needs of vulnerable consumers are considered
and Ofcom regularly monitors how communication providers are taking steps to ensure
they identify and protect vulnerable customers.</p><p> </p><p>In June 2020, the Broadband
Stakeholder Group, a government advisory forum on telecoms policy, launched the ‘Future
of Voice’ website. This consumer-facing website is designed to inform the public and
businesses of the PSTN switchover process. The website has been developed with the
support of telecoms companies, Ofcom and DCMS.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The
Government will also continue to work closely with various stakeholders, including
the telecoms industry, Ofcom, and other Government departments to ensure the country
is prepared for the withdrawal of the PSTN, and will continue to consider the best
course of action to prepare for the migration.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>
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