Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the answer of 28 April 2026 to question 128431, what her Department considers to be an adequate landline alternative.

Landlines are not being removed. The technology underpinning the landline network, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), is being upgraded to digital Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

As per the response to Question 128431 on 28 April, I can reiterate that major communications providers have assured the Government that no existing PSTN customer will be left without a landline or an option to move to a communication provider that can provide a landline. This include transitional products, such as Pre-Digital Phone Lines (PDPL), for customers who cannot yet be upgraded to VoIP.