PSTN Switch-Off 2027: What UK Businesses Need to Do Now
PSTN Switch-Off 2027: What UK Businesses Need to Do Now
Last updated: March 2026
In January 2027, the UK will permanently switch off its Public Switched Telephone Network, the copper-based phone system that has carried British phone calls for over 140 years. Every traditional landline, every ISDN line, and every service that depends on these connections will cease to function.
This is not a rumour, not a possibility, and not something that might be delayed again. Openreach has already migrated millions of lines, stopped selling new traditional connections, and is actively contacting the remaining businesses on the old network. If your business still relies on a traditional phone line for anything (calls, broadband, fax, alarms, card machines), you need to act now.
The good news is that the alternatives are better, cheaper, and more flexible than the system they replace. The bad news is that businesses leaving it until late 2026 will face long wait times, limited provider availability, and the real risk of being without phone service when their line is disconnected.
This guide explains exactly what is happening, when, what is affected, and what you need to do, step by step. As an OFCOM-regulated comparison service with a 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating, we have been helping UK businesses navigate this transition since it was first announced, and we have seen what goes wrong when businesses leave it too late.
What Is the PSTN Switch-Off?
The PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) is the traditional telephone system that has connected UK homes and businesses since Alexander Graham Bell's era. It uses copper wires to carry analogue voice signals from your premises to the local exchange, and from there across the national network.
The PSTN also provides the basis for ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), which many businesses use for multiple phone lines and basic data connections.
Openreach, the company that maintains the UK's telephone infrastructure on behalf of all providers, has decided to retire this entire network. The copper infrastructure is ageing, expensive to maintain, and limited in capability compared to modern fibre and internet-based alternatives. Maintaining two parallel networks (copper PSTN and fibre broadband) is no longer viable.
The switch-off means that every service running over these copper phone lines will need to move to an internet-based alternative. This is not a like-for-like swap. It is a fundamental change in how voice communication works in the UK.
The Full Timeline
Understanding the timeline helps you plan your migration effectively. Here is what has already happened and what is still to come.
Timeline of the PSTN Switch-Off
| Date | Milestone | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| December 2020 | BT/Openreach announce 2025 stop-sell and 2027 switch-off | Planning begins |
| September 2023 | Openreach stop-sell comes into effect | No new traditional phone lines can be ordered |
| 2023-2024 | First exchanges migrated in trial areas (Salisbury, Mildenhall) | Businesses in trial areas migrated first |
| 2024-2025 | Mass migration begins across the UK | Millions of lines migrated |
| April 2025 | Openreach accelerates exchange-by-exchange migration programme | Active contact with remaining customers |
| Throughout 2026 | Remaining exchanges migrated, final customer contacts | Last chance to migrate proactively |
| January 2027 | Full switch-off. All remaining PSTN and ISDN lines cease to function | Any unmigrated service stops working |
What "Stop-Sell" Means in Practice
Since September 2023, Openreach has not accepted orders for new traditional phone lines or ISDN connections. If you try to order a new landline today, you will be offered a digital voice service (VoIP over your broadband) instead. This stop-sell applies to all providers who use the Openreach network, which is virtually all of them.
If your business has existing traditional lines, they continue to work for now. But Openreach is actively migrating exchanges on a rolling schedule, and once your exchange is migrated, your traditional line will be switched to a , whether you have chosen one or not.
What Services Are Affected?
The PSTN switch-off does not just affect your phone calls. Many business services that you might not associate with your phone line actually depend on it. Here is a comprehensive list.
Business Phone Lines
Impact: All traditional analogue phone lines will stop working.
Alternative: Hosted VoIP or a virtual landline. VoIP runs your phone calls over your broadband connection and offers far more features than traditional lines. Virtual landlines route calls to your mobile, ideal for sole traders and micro businesses.
Action required: Choose a VoIP provider, port your existing numbers, set up the new system, and cancel your old lines. Read our complete hosted VoIP guide for detailed advice.
ISDN Lines
Impact: All ISDN2 and ISDN30 connections will stop working. Many businesses use ISDN for multi-line phone systems, with each ISDN2 circuit providing 2 simultaneous call channels and ISDN30 providing up to 30 channels.
Alternative: SIP trunking (if you want to keep your existing PBX hardware) or hosted VoIP (if you want a fully managed cloud-based system). SIP trunking connects your existing phone system to the internet instead of ISDN. Hosted VoIP replaces the entire system with a cloud-based alternative.
Action required: Audit your current ISDN usage, decide between SIP trunking and hosted VoIP, and plan the migration. Businesses with ISDN30 connections typically have larger, more complex phone systems that require more planning. Start now.
Fax Machines
Impact: Traditional fax machines connected to phone lines will stop working.
Alternative: Online fax services (fax-to-email and email-to-fax). These services give you a fax number that receives incoming faxes as email attachments and lets you send faxes from your computer. Monthly costs are typically £5-15 depending on volume.
Action required: Set up an online fax service, test it with key contacts who still send you faxes, and update your fax number if it changes. Many online fax services can port your existing fax number.
Alarm Systems
Impact: Intruder alarms, fire alarms, and other monitored security systems that dial out over the phone line to report alerts will stop working. This is a critical safety issue. Your alarm may trigger but fail to notify the monitoring station.
Alternative: Alarm systems that communicate over broadband (IP-based), mobile network (GSM/4G/5G), or a combination of both. Most modern alarm panels support dual-path communication (broadband + mobile) for maximum reliability.
Action required: Contact your alarm company urgently. They will need to upgrade your alarm panel's communication module or replace the panel entirely. This is one of the most time-sensitive aspects of the PSTN switch-off. Do not leave it until your phone line is disconnected.
Card Payment Machines (PDQ Terminals)
Impact: Older card payment terminals that connect via a phone line will stop working. Without a connection, you cannot process card payments.
Alternative: Modern card terminals connect via broadband (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) or mobile network (4G/5G). Most payment providers now offer these as standard. Mobile card readers from providers like SumUp, Zettle, and Square use mobile data and do not require a phone line at all.
Action required: Contact your payment processor to check whether your terminal connects via a phone line. If it does, arrange a replacement terminal that uses broadband or mobile connectivity. Most payment providers will upgrade your terminal free of charge as part of the transition.
Telecare and Pendant Alarms
Impact: Personal alarms used by vulnerable people (particularly in care homes and sheltered housing) that dial out over the phone line will stop working.
Alternative: Digital telecare devices that communicate over broadband or mobile networks. This is an area of particular concern for OFCOM and the government, and there are support programmes in place to help with the transition.
Action required: If your business provides care services, contact your telecare equipment provider immediately. Replacement digital units need to be installed and tested well before the switch-off.
Lift Emergency Phones
Impact: Emergency phones in lifts that connect via a phone line will stop working. These are a legal requirement under the Lift Regulations.
Alternative: GSM (mobile network) based lift phones that connect via 4G/5G. These are already the standard for new lift installations.
Action required: Contact your lift maintenance company to arrange an upgrade. This is a legal compliance issue. You must have a working emergency phone in every passenger lift.
EPOS Systems
Impact: Some older Electronic Point of Sale systems use phone lines for payment processing and data transmission.
Alternative: Modern EPOS systems use broadband or Wi-Fi. If your system is old enough to use a phone line, it is likely due for replacement anyway.
Action required: Check with your EPOS provider whether your system depends on a phone line. If so, plan an upgrade.
Services Affected Summary Table
| Service | Risk Level | Alternative | Typical Migration Time | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone lines | High | VoIP / Virtual landline | 1-4 weeks | £5-25/user/mo |
| ISDN lines | High | SIP trunking / Hosted VoIP | 2-8 weeks | £8-25/user/mo |
| Fax machines | Medium | Online fax service | 1-2 days | £5-15/mo |
| Alarm systems | Critical | IP/GSM alarm communicator | 2-6 weeks | £150-500 one-off |
| PDQ terminals | High | Broadband/mobile terminal | 1-2 weeks | Usually free swap |
| Telecare alarms | Critical | Digital telecare unit | 2-6 weeks | £100-300 per unit |
| Lift phones | Critical | GSM lift phone | 2-4 weeks | £200-400 per unit |
| EPOS systems | Medium | Broadband-connected EPOS | 1-4 weeks | Varies widely |
Your Step-by-Step Migration Guide
Here is the process we recommend for every UK business preparing for the PSTN switch-off. Follow these steps in order.
Step 1: Audit Everything Connected to Your Phone Line
Walk through your premises and identify every device and service connected to your phone line. This includes:
- Desk phones and phone systems
- Fax machines
- Alarm systems (check the control panel, as the phone line connection may not be obvious)
- Card payment terminals
- Franking machines with phone connections
- Lift emergency phones
- EPOS systems
- Any equipment that "dials out" when triggered
Create a list with the device, its purpose, and the phone number it uses. This audit is the foundation of your migration plan.
Step 2: Check Your Broadband
VoIP and most alternative services run over your broadband connection. Verify that your broadband is:
- Fast enough: Any connection over 10Mbps is adequate for small business VoIP. For larger teams, ensure you have bandwidth headroom.
- Reliable: Broadband outages mean phone outages with VoIP. If your broadband is unreliable, upgrade it before migrating your phones.
- Not dependent on your phone line: Some older broadband connections (ADSL) are delivered over the phone line. If your broadband requires an active phone line, you may need to upgrade to fibre broadband before cancelling the phone line.
If your broadband currently runs over your phone line (ADSL or FTTC with phone line rental), switching to full fibre (FTTP) or 5G broadband removes the dependency entirely.
Step 3: Choose Your Phone Replacement
For most businesses, the choice is between:
Hosted VoIP: A complete cloud-based phone system. Best for businesses with 3 or more people who need features like auto-attendant, call recording, and multiple extensions. Costs £5-25 per user per month. See our VoIP comparison.
Virtual landline: A simple service that gives you a local number and routes calls to your mobile. Best for sole traders and very small businesses. Costs £5-15 per month. See our virtual landline options.
SIP trunking: Connects your existing on-premises phone system (PBX) to the internet. Best for larger businesses with significant investment in existing phone hardware. Costs vary based on the number of channels.
Microsoft Teams Phone: If you already use Microsoft 365 and Teams, adding phone capability is cost-effective and familiar. Costs £6-10 per user per month on top of your Microsoft subscription.
Step 4: Migrate Your Phone Numbers
Your existing phone numbers can be ported to any VoIP, virtual landline, or SIP trunking provider. Number porting is a regulated process managed by the providers. You do not need to do anything with Openreach directly.
The porting timeline:
- Mobile numbers: 1-3 business days
- Geographic numbers (01/02): 5-10 business days
- Non-geographic numbers (0800/0845): 5-15 business days
During the porting process, your numbers remain active on your old line and then switch seamlessly to the new service. There should be no downtime.
Step 5: Address Non-Phone Services
Work through your audit list and contact each service provider:
- Alarm company: Arrange an upgrade to IP or GSM communication
- Payment processor: Request a broadband or mobile-connected terminal
- Fax needs: Set up an online fax service
- Lift company: Arrange a GSM lift phone upgrade
- Any other dependent services: Contact the relevant provider for their migration plan
Step 6: Test Everything
Before cancelling your old phone line:
- Make test calls to and from your new VoIP system
- Verify that all numbers have ported correctly
- Test your alarm system's new communication path
- Process a test card payment on any new terminals
- Send and receive a test fax through your new service
- Test any other migrated services
Step 7: Cancel Your Old Line
Once everything is working on the new system, cancel your traditional phone line. Do not cancel before you have tested. Running both systems in parallel for a week or two is a small price for peace of mind.
Costs of Migration
Here is a realistic breakdown of what migration costs for different business sizes.
Migration Cost Estimates
| Business Size | Key Costs | One-off Total | New Monthly Cost | Old Monthly Cost | Monthly Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole trader | VoIP setup, number port | £0-50 | £8-15/mo | £20-30/mo | £5-22/mo |
| Small (5 people) | VoIP setup, IP phones (optional), number ports | £0-500 | £40-100/mo | £80-150/mo | £40-50/mo |
| Medium (20 people) | VoIP setup, IP phones, alarm upgrade, PDQ swap | £500-2,000 | £150-400/mo | £300-600/mo | £150-200/mo |
| Larger (50+ people) | VoIP/SIP setup, infrastructure, multiple site migration | £2,000-10,000 | £400-1,000/mo | £800-2,000/mo | £400-1,000/mo |
Costs are indicative and vary significantly based on existing infrastructure, provider choice, and feature requirements.
The key takeaway: for the vast majority of businesses, migration saves money from month one. The new digital alternatives are cheaper to run than traditional phone lines, and the one-off migration costs are recovered within months.
What Happens If You Do Not Act
If you have not migrated by the time Openreach switches off your local exchange, the following will happen:
- Your phone line will stop working. Incoming calls will receive a "number not recognised" message. Outgoing calls will fail.
- Your alarm system will stop communicating. Alarms may still trigger locally (siren), but the monitoring station will not receive alerts. Your property is unprotected.
- Card machines on your phone line will stop processing payments. You will be unable to accept card payments until you switch to a broadband or mobile-connected terminal.
- Fax machines will stop working. Any incoming faxes will be lost.
- Your phone number may be at risk. While Openreach will hold numbers for a period, delayed porting after disconnection is more complex and risky than porting while the line is active.
Do not assume you will receive extensive advance warning. Openreach sends migration notices, but businesses that have changed address, changed contact details, or simply do not open their post may miss them.
Common Questions from Businesses We Have Helped
Through helping thousands of UK businesses navigate this transition, we hear the same questions repeatedly. Here are the honest answers.
"Can I just ignore this? Will they really switch it off?"
Yes, they will. This is not a deadline that will be pushed back again. Openreach has invested billions in the migration programme and has already switched off hundreds of exchanges. The infrastructure decommissioning is underway. Your line will stop working.
"My provider has not contacted me about this. Should I be worried?"
Not all providers have been equally proactive in contacting customers. Do not wait to be contacted. Take the initiative. Check with your provider whether your line is scheduled for migration, and start planning your replacement now.
"I only use my landline occasionally. Do I still need to do anything?"
Yes. Even if you rarely use your phone line, check whether any other services depend on it, particularly alarm systems and broadband. If your broadband runs over your phone line (ADSL), you need a broadband alternative before the line is disconnected.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly will the PSTN be switched off?
The full PSTN switch-off is scheduled for completion by January 2027. However, the switch-off is happening on an exchange-by-exchange basis, and some areas will lose their traditional phone lines before that date. Openreach's stop-sell (no new traditional lines) has been in effect since September 2023. Contact your provider or Openreach to check when your local exchange is scheduled for migration.
Will I lose my business phone number?
No. Your existing business phone numbers, whether geographic (01, 02), non-geographic (0800, 0845), or mobile, can all be ported to your new VoIP or virtual landline provider. Number porting is a regulated process and your provider will handle it. Port your numbers while your old line is still active for the smoothest transition.
What if I do not have reliable broadband?
If your broadband is unreliable, you have several options. You can upgrade to full fibre (FTTP) which is now available to over 60% of UK premises. You can use 5G broadband as a primary or backup connection. You can install a 4G/5G failover router that automatically takes over if your main broadband drops. For very rural locations, satellite broadband or O2's Starlink connectivity may be an option.
How much will switching to VoIP cost?
For most businesses, switching to VoIP reduces costs. A typical sole trader pays £8-15 per month for VoIP compared to £20-30 for a traditional line. A five-person business typically pays £40-100 per month for VoIP versus £80-150 for traditional lines and an old phone system. One-off migration costs range from nothing (for simple setups) to a few thousand pounds for larger businesses with complex requirements.
What about my broadband. Will that be affected?
If your broadband currently runs over your phone line (ADSL or FTTC with phone line rental), you may need to switch to a broadband service that does not require an active phone line. Full fibre (FTTP), 5G broadband, and some FTTC products can work without a traditional phone line. Check with your broadband provider.
Is VoIP as reliable as a traditional landline?
Modern VoIP systems on a reliable broadband connection deliver call quality and reliability comparable to traditional landlines. The main reliability consideration is your broadband. If your internet goes down, your VoIP phones go down too. Mitigate this with a 4G/5G backup router, which automatically provides a backup internet connection during broadband outages.
My alarm system uses my phone line. What should I do?
Contact your alarm monitoring company immediately. They will need to upgrade your alarm panel's communication module to use broadband (IP) or mobile network (GSM/4G) to communicate with the monitoring station. This is a critical safety issue. If your phone line is disconnected and your alarm is not upgraded, your property will be unprotected. Most alarm companies are offering upgrade programmes specifically for the PSTN switch-off.
Can I get a new traditional phone line?
No. Openreach stopped selling new traditional phone lines in September 2023. Any new connection will be a digital voice service (VoIP delivered over broadband) rather than a traditional analogue line. If you need a new phone service, your options are hosted VoIP, a virtual landline, or Microsoft Teams Phone.
What is the difference between Digital Voice and hosted VoIP?
Digital Voice is the basic replacement service offered by providers like BT to existing landline customers. It runs your existing phone over your broadband instead of a copper line. It works with your existing phone (via an adapter) but offers minimal additional features. Hosted VoIP is a full-featured phone system with auto-attendant, call recording, mobile apps, and more. For businesses, hosted VoIP is almost always the better choice. Digital Voice is essentially a like-for-like swap that does not take advantage of what internet-based calling can do.
How long does the migration take?
For a simple setup (one phone line, no dependent services), migration can be completed in 1-2 weeks. For a small business with 5-10 lines and some dependent services (alarm, card machine), allow 4-6 weeks. For larger businesses with complex phone systems, multiple sites, or many dependent services, allow 8-12 weeks. Start planning now to avoid the rush as the January 2027 deadline approaches.
Who can help me with the migration?
Your current phone provider should be able to help, though their advice may be biased towards their own products. For an independent view, our free comparison service compares all available options and helps you find the best solution for your specific situation. As an OFCOM-regulated comparison service, our advice is impartial and free.
Do Not Wait. Start Your Migration Today
Every week that passes is a week closer to the January 2027 deadline. Businesses that migrate now benefit from:
- Full choice of providers: you can take your time comparing options
- Short lead times: providers can schedule your migration within weeks
- Time to test: you can run old and new systems in parallel
- Peace of mind: one less thing to worry about
Businesses that wait until Q4 2026 will face:
- Overwhelmed providers: every business in the country trying to migrate simultaneously
- Long wait times: weeks or months for installation and number porting
- Rushed decisions: no time to compare options or test properly
- Risk of disconnection: if your exchange is migrated before you are ready
Get a free, impartial comparison in under two minutes. As an OFCOM-regulated comparison service with a 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating, we will find the best VoIP, virtual landline, or broadband solution for your business and help you migrate smoothly before the deadline.
Get Your Free PSTN Migration Quote Now
No obligation. No cost. Just expert help to ensure your business is ready for January 2027.
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