On the subject of POTS and analogue phone lines, there are some major changes ahead that will affect both residential and business customers: Openreach and Ofcom have agreed that the analogue lines that have served us for many decades are coming to an end. As of 2020, no new orders for ISDN lines will be taken. By 2025, the whole ISDN and analogue phone network is scheduled to be switched off, and all residential and business telephony services will be run on broadband lines. Although more people say they are disposing of landline connections at home, their broadband becomes even more vital, so why not use its capabilities and put a phone service on it as well? ”
So, you are saying whether the person is able to use the internet or not, they will need to pay for broadband to have a house phone!
There are plenty of elderly that don't know, don't want to know and don't understand Pcs and the internet. But they will have no choice but to pay for something they don't need, just to get a phone line. If that's the case it is disgusting! Society forgets about the older generation when it comes to technology. My neighbour was told the only way to get the blue badge renewed was online. She explained she didnt have a computer or the internet. The council employee told her to buy a computer, she would need it to keep up to date with her benefit payments!
There are people in society that are not capable of learning the technology, are not interested in learning, and can't afford it. Yet it is automatically assumed that they have a computer. Cost wise you wont beat the Bt basic service at just over £5 a month, of which I know a lot of elderly people on it.
Don't fix what aint broke, as the saying goes.