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Your old landline will be turned off – BT reveals areas affected

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The humble landline has been around for decades but a big change is coming. The UK is set to turn off the old network by 2025, and BT has just revealed the next regions that are getting switched over to digital broadband technology. If your landline still taps into the hundred-plus-years-old copper wire network, BT plans to soon switch you over to its modern broadband service that delivers your landline over a digital internet connection.

Many service providers and phone manufacturers no longer support the copper service as the tech becomes less reliable. Your landline will live on by using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), which needs an internet connection.

Customers across the UK in regions from Yorkshire to Northern Ireland have already been contacted as BT starts the process of moving customers to its new home phone service. The firm has just revealed when the remaining regions and countries will start to move to the new service, with the North West and London affected from Autumn 2023.

The West Midlands, the South East, Wales, and East Anglia can expect the switch in Spring 2024, while Summer of that year will see the North East, Scotland, and the South West make the move.

BT says all customers who are switched over will not pay extra for the new service, but if your existing home phone does not work with digital voice you’ll have to order a new one. The firm says 99% of current handsets will work, though.

Homes that don’t currently have a broadband connection will have to get one installed, and BT says its customers over the age of 70 won’t be switched over without being contacted.

“If we’ve not been in touch or visited your area yet, don’t worry. We’ll be in touch when it’s time to switch,” said Lucy Baker MBE, All-IP Director, BT Consumer. “For anyone who has any issues, questions or concerns, then I’d encourage them to get in touch and let us know.”

There are calls to ensure customers of all ages are properly supported throughout the process.

“There are important advantages to going digital – such as a clearer connection – but it is essential that no-one gets left behind in the move away from traditional landlines,” said Rocio Concha, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Which?

“Vulnerable consumers will need extra support to make the switch. All providers must put clear plans in place to make sure everyone has the help they need – including clear communications, giving proper notice ahead of switching and providing extra assistance if needed.”

All the UK’s landline providers will have to switch off landlines by December 2025 when the sun will set on the traditional service for good. It’s already the case that if you want to sign up for a new landline contract and your home has access to broadband, you’ll have to switch to a new digital landline.



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Apple confirms next major event and there’s not long to wait

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Apple has sent out invitations to media and influencers, confirming the tech giant’s next major launch date with events taking place in New York City and London.

Posting on social media, many media shared their personal invitations, which show the events will take place on March 4, 2026 at 9am ET/2pm GMT.

“You’re invited. Please join us in person for a special Apple Experience in New York,” the screenshots read, with New York interchanged for London for British invitees.

Unlike Apple’s September launches, there does not appear to be plans for an livestreamed event, implying whatever Apple is set to announce could be by press release later on, and via media and influencer coverage from the twin events.

Apple is heavily rumoured to be launching the iPhone 17e soon, which this event could be used for. Replacing last year’s iPhone 16e, the 17e is said to be a mid-range iPhone with upgrades over the older model to include the newer Dynamic Island design and MagSafe, two features missing from the 16e.

According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, Apple might also launch a brand new “low-cost MacBook” at this event. Rumoured for some time, this machine is said to cost “well under $1,000” and use an iPhone A-series processor rather than the M-series chips found in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

The screen could be less than 13-inches, meaning this entry-level MacBook could recall the lovely 12-inch MacBook that Apple introduced in 2015 but later discontinued. Though that laptop had beautiful hardware, it suffered from an underpowered processor and notoriously flat keyboard with little travel or key feedback that users did not take to. That said, I bought one, and to date it is still my favourite ever MacBook and one of my most beloved Apple products I have owned, along with the original iPod mini.

Potentially keeping in theme with the entry-level products rumoured, Apple could also use this March event to unveil a new iPad. The firm launched the latest £329 iPad on March 12, 2025 with the A16 chipset, but Bloomberg’s Gurman reckons it’s due a refresh to a newer chipset. The iPad Air is also said to be getting an update, possibly to the M4 chip.

Design changes aren’t expected for either iPad, if and when new versions are announced.



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Argos offers bargain Android phone for under £200

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If you are in need of a smartphone upgrade but don’t have a lot of cash to spend, the good news is there are several Android options for you in 2026. Better still to be on the lookout for a good deal, and we think we’ve found a good one.

Argos is selling the Motorola Moto G86 for just £195.99, a much lower price than the advertised £279.99 – you just need to know how to get the discount to show up in your basket.

It’s all part of Argos’ Big Red sale event that is running until February 24. Scores of popular items are on sale when you enter the correct discount code at the online checkout.

For the Moto G86, Argos is offering 30 percent off that RRP. All you have to do is enter the code RED30 in the promo code box in the checkout process online, and the retailer will cut the cost right down to £195.99.

That’s a bargain price for a phone that has an awful lot going for it considering the low cost. Available in either black or blue hues, the Moto G86 has a large 6.67-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, so text, websites and apps will scroll smoothly by.

You get a generous 256GB storage, plus a 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultrawide with a 32MP selfie shooter, full IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance, Android 16 and a solid MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor.

View the Motorola Moto G86 at Argos

At this price, you aren’t getting the most powerful phone on the market, but if all you need your phone for is calls, WhatsApp, banking, social media, email and snapping photos it will certainly fit the bill. Just don’t expect it to keep up if you try and play PUBG for an hour.

Thankfully you get a 5,200mAh battery that is actually larger than the battery found in the £1,249 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Not bad for a phone that costs more than £1,000 less.

Argos says its Big Red sale is running until February 24, so you have a little bit of time to pick up the Moto G86 while stocks last.

If you want a phone with a little more oomph and a better camera system, Argos is also offering an unbelievable 50 percent off the Google Pixel 9 in the same sale.



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New £39 budget earbuds offer a feature Samsung and Apple won’t match

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Fancy trying something different to AirPods or Galaxy Buds? The new £39.99 Neo Buds from Groov-e might look like any other budget in-ear music makers, but they come with a nifty bonus. Tucked on the front of the charging case is a small colour display that gives instant access to music controls and the settings. It even shows how much battery is left in the tank and if the buds need a refill.

“The intuitive smart display on the charging case gives users optimum control, whether listening to music, podcasts or answering calls, without the need to unlock their device,” Groov-e explained.

“The display also provides additional audio customisation settings, such as adjusting mixes, toggling ANC, and the option to have an image on the display.”

These aren’t the only buds that include a display on the case. JBL’s Live Beam 3 also offers this smart functionality, but they costs over £100 more.

Despite the Neo Buds’ low price, they get that clever case and also feature active noise cancellation (ANC), which blocks out all background noise so you only hear your tunes and not much else.

Other extras include a comfy fit, 22 hours of playback and touch controls.

Express.co.uk has not had a chance to test these new earbuds, so we can’t give them our stamp of approval, but they certainly appear pretty feature-packed for such a low price.

Want something we can definitely can recommend?

Sony has just unveiled its premium WF-1000XM6 buds, which now offer improved sound and unbeatable noise cancellation.

They get a new look with a matte finish, decent battery life and can even beam high-resolution audio right into your ears.

Touch controls on the outside of each bud let you manage music without reaching for a phone and can be fully customised to suit your needs.

With a price of over £230 they certainly aren’t cheap but they some of the best buds you can buy.



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