A report from mobile network performance specialist RootMetrics reviews five years of progress in voice call technology and infrastructure.
The UK is preparing to retire traditional copper landlines and move to a fully digital voice network. RootMetrics’ analysis highlights key improvements over the past five years that have made this shift feasible.
By 2025 the UK plans to switch off its copper landline network in favor of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). As with any large-scale transition, there are concerns that some groups—particularly older adults—could face challenges adapting to the new system.
More broadband providers now include VoIP services in their packages, allowing customers to connect conventional handsets to routers instead of relying on copper lines. Despite this progress, wider support from providers is needed to guide and assist users through the digital switchover so no one is left behind.
While fixed-line phones will likely remain common in many offices, an increasing number of households are moving to mobile-only setups. This raises worries that depending on mobile coverage—especially in rural areas—could affect the reliability of emergency calls.
RootMetrics found that all major mobile operators prioritize emergency service calls and will automatically allow devices to roam onto the provider with the best signal in a given area. That policy does not erase all concerns but does help reduce the risk of failing to reach emergency services.
When it comes to general mobile call performance, RootMetrics’ findings show substantial improvement over the last five years.
Dropped calls were already low at 1.4 percent in the first half of 2018. During nationwide testing in the second half of 2021, RootMetrics measured a peak dropped-call rate of only 1 percent.
Blocked calls—outgoing calls that fail to connect—improved even more dramatically. In testing, blocked-call rates fell from 4.3 percent in 2017 to just 1.7 percent in 2021.
In major cities, both dropped and blocked call rates are now approximately 0.6 percent, reflecting dense network coverage and capacity in urban areas.
The rollout of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) has been a major factor in enhancing the mobile calling experience. Average call setup times have decreased to about 2.2 seconds, compared with 4.9 seconds five years earlier.
RootMetrics’ testing showed VoLTE adoption at 55.7 percent in the first half of 2018. By 2019 adoption exceeded 85 percent, and call setup times stayed below 2.8 seconds. Today, VoLTE is nearly ubiquitous across the UK among the four largest operators, driving faster, more reliable voice service.
Taken together, the evidence in RootMetrics’ report suggests the UK is on track to complete the transition to a fully digital voice network by 2025, provided internet service providers continue to actively assist customers in moving from copper landlines to VoIP.
(Photo by George Chandrinos on Unsplash)
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