Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the transition to digital telecommunications infrastructure on (a) older and (b) vulnerable people in (i) Scotland and (ii) other areas where digital signal coverage is limited; and whether he is taking steps to ensure that telecoms providers implement enhanced safety measures for at-risk people before proceeding with the withdrawal of traditional landline services in 2027.

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

The Department has acknowledged that customers who may be considered vulnerable in the context of the digital switchover may require additional support. A definition of a vulnerable customers was published in November 2024. It includes those who are telecare users and those dependent on their landline. Any customer, including the elderly, can also self-identify as requiring additional support.

Communication providers and network operators signed voluntary charters in December 2023 and March 2024, committing to protect vulnerable consumers during the PSTN migration. On 18 November 2024, the major communication providers agreed to adhere to further safeguards set out in the non-voluntary migrations checklist before restarting non-voluntary migration of customers.