The UK’s landline switch-off has been rumbling on for a while now. But did you know that landlines are also going across Europe, and in America?
Here we take a look at what’s driving this change and what it all means for small businesses.
A Brief History of Landlines
For decades, landlines were the go-to way of communicating. They were sturdy, reliable and did what we needed them to do. Whether it was catching up with friends and family, making important business calls or simply ordering a takeaway, the landline was all you needed. But with mobile phones and video calling taking over, landlines across the world are taking a back seat.
Mobile phones have changed the communication landscape the most. Today, just about everyone has a smartphone, and it’s not just a phone. It’s a portable computer, camera, navigation system, and social media hub, all rolled into one. Smartphones have replaced landlines in many homes, especially as mobile networks and Wifi have become cheaper and more reliable.
The Landline Shutdown in the USA
In the United States, the trend of switching off traditional landline services started gaining momentum in the early 2000s as more people had mobile phones. Many young people today can’t even remember the days of landline-only!
But it wasn’t until recently that the process of phasing out landline infrastructure began to intensify. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has encouraged telecom companies to focus on upgrading to newer, more efficient digital systems like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This means that traditional copper-wire landlines – once a staple of every home – are being replaced by internet-based systems offering better speeds and more reliable connections.
In addition to this, landlines have become increasingly expensive to maintain over the years, just as in the UK. They require a physical infrastructure of copper wires and equipment that is now outdated and need replacing. This makes them more expensive to upkeep, especially as fewer and fewer people use them. Telecom companies have realised that maintaining these systems isn’t a sustainable investment when mobile phones and digital services are more popular.
Landlines Are Going in Europe Too
The transition away from landlines in Europe is also happening, but at different rates depending on the country. In some places, like the UK, landlines are being phased out more quickly.
In the UK, BT announced back in 2020 that it would stop offering landline services by 2025 (now postponed to 2027) encouraging customers to move to digital alternatives like VoIP that rely on broadband internet connections.
In many parts of Europe, this shift is tied to the widespread rollout of fibre optic networks. Countries like Norway, Sweden and Denmark have already seen landline usage plummet, with VoIP an extremely popular alternative. The EU has supported these transitions by pushing for digital infrastructure improvements across the continent, making it easier for countries to move away from traditional phone lines.
One of the major drivers behind the move is that digital communications are faster, more reliable, and cost-effective. From both a business and consumer point of view, using internet-based services like VoIP makes more sense than sticking with old landline technology. This is especially true for small business owners.
What Does This Mean for Consumers?
For many, the shift from landlines to digital alternatives might seem daunting, but it’s not actually the end of phone calls. It’s the opposite in fact.
VoIP services, which allow people to make calls over the internet, are expected to become more popular. In fact, VoIP is ideal for small businesses, as providers like us at bOnline offer lots of extra features you don’t get with landlines or mobiles. These include call menus, call recording, access to call analytics data, hold music and much more. You’ll still be able to make phone calls, but instead of using a landline, you’ll do it via a smartphone or internet service. All you need is a stable internet connection – so Wifi, 4G or 5G.
Another benefit is the potential for lower costs. VoIP providers tend to offer monthly fixed-price packages that include calls, making VoIP much cheaper than traditional phone lines. If you regularly call abroad you could save even more, as there’s no worries about expensive pay-per-minute calls, or roaming charges. Our international calling bolt-ons start from just £6 a month in fact and include unlimited calls abroad.
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You can sign up online in just 2 minutes, with no ‘techie’ knowledge needed and no engineer visits. No more worries about the landline shutdown!