Communications giant BT will finish implementing a digital changeover in 2025 that will see traditional landlines replaced with hi-tech electrically powered handsets primarily reliant on the internet. The incoming plans, which the company initiated in 2019 as Digital Voice, could isolate older Britons and pensioners who rely on landlines as their primary form of communication with the outside world. They may want to make changes to improve their landline functionality as the date approaches.

       Elderly households may have held on to landlines running on an analogue connection, which BT will soon switch to digital.

       While BT estimates 95 percent of devices will work with the switchover, some people may need a hand with a new handset or adapter, which the company said it would provide free of charge.

       Engineers can make home visits to help install a free Digital Voice handset, but people will need to make a few adjustments themselves.

       Those who now have one may need to set it up themselves, and BT has provided a six-step guide for the process.

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       The steps work as follows:

       If people want to keep using their current landline without getting a new one from BT or elsewhere, they can use a working internet connection to install an adaptor.

       Those tech-savvy enough can install a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) adaptor.

       These connect an existing landline, even a relatively outdated one, to the internet and allow people to make calls without updating their model.

       BT is currently the only phone network in the UK committed to complete digitalisation of its landline network.

       Two other companies currently offer landline-only deals, both likely cheaper than BT.

       Direct Save Telecom offers one from ￡16.99 per month, and Virgin Media's alternative will cost ￡19.