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Written question asked by Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 May 2025. It was answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Voice over Internet Protocol

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had discussions with BT about publishing a geographical timetable for the Digital Voice rollout, particularly for rural areas.

Answer

The Government is determined to ensure that any risks of the industry-led migration from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), also known as Digital Voice, are mitigated for all customers across the UK.

Communication providers, including BT, signed a voluntary PSTN Charter in December 2023, committing them to protecting vulnerable consumers during the PSTN migration. In November 2024, providers agreed to additional safeguards in the Non-Voluntary Migrations Checklist. The Government is engaging regularly with the signatories of the Charter to monitor their plans and to ensure compliance with the Checklist.

The Government have not requested that providers publish geographical timetables. Providers are migrating customers only when the safeguards are in place. Further, providers are starting migrating the least vulnerable customers first, regardless of geography.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL7006
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Rural areas Voice over internet protocol
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk