Bryn Thompson, director at Phonely, a UK provider of digital landline services, said: "For many households across Wiltshire, the home phone is still an important part of everyday life. "The important thing is to understand what's changing before your provider gets in touch, rather than leaving everything until the last minute." Common questions from residents include concerns about whether they can keep their current phone number, whether their existing handset will still work, the need for broadband, and how the service will function during a power cut. The switchover is part of a long-term national programme to retire the ageing copper phone network and replace it with modern digital technology. It is also important to ensure that any communication about the switchover is genuine before sharing personal or financial information.