Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that people who rely on the Public Switched Telephone Network can migrate to broadband before January 2027.

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the technology underpinning analogue landline connections. The PSTN is failing – with a 45% increase in major incidents between 2023-2024. Industry is migrating the network to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which requires a minimum speed of just 0.5mbps. For current landline-only customers it will be possible to switch to a VoIP landline without purchasing a general internet connection.

The Government is prioritising broadband rollout, aiming for nationwide gigabit coverage by 2030. Through Project-Gigabit, government is providing subsidy to ensure premises left out of commercial rollout plans can access a gigabit capable broadband connection.