The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a technology that supplies power to landline telephones via copper cables, is being switched to an internet-based connection in every household in the U.K.
Although modernized, PSTNs still work by establishing direct connections between telephones via an intermediary exchange.
The internet and cell phones have made landlines less popular. In fact, a recent survey found that 40% of people in the U.K. have stopped using them.
The latest development means that the quality of calls is being improved, as fixed lines are now routed via internet connection.
Some of the things that can be expected with the new development include the fact that the old landlines will continue to work despite the network change. In addition, most people will continue to keep the same old number unless they move to another location and mobile phones do not need to be replaced as existing phones will be connected to a different system behind the scenes.
It should be noted that although users will still be able to use their existing fixed broadband connection after PSTN technology has been completely switched off, they will not be able to make calls over a fixed network without an internet connection.
For more information, read the original story on the BBC.