BT accused of ‘bullying’ customers by pausing broadband in digital landline push
Summary
BT has temporarily paused broadband for some customers who have not switched from old copper landlines to new digital landlines. This is part of a UK-wide effort to move all phone lines to digital by the end of January, as the old copper network will be shut down.Key Facts
- BT is switching customers from copper landlines to digital voice over internet protocol (VoIP).
- About 1.3 million copper-based landlines in the UK still need to switch before the January deadline.
- BT temporarily paused broadband for some customers who ignored repeated requests to switch, giving them a 5-day notice.
- Landline phone and mobile services continued during the broadband pause to keep emergency services and telecare devices working.
- Over 80% of those affected by the pause responded and started switching to digital landlines.
- Campaigners worry that vulnerable groups, like elderly people with no internet or those in rural areas, could be negatively affected.
- Virgin Media was fined £23.8 million last year for leaving some disabled and elderly customers without telecare alarm access during a similar switch.
- BT says the broadband pause is to avoid customers losing all service completely when the old network shuts down.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
