The UK phone switch-off is 31 January 2027. Is your business ready?
Openreach is retiring the old copper phone network. Analogue lines, ISDN and the systems that use them (alarms, card terminals, lift phones) need to move to digital. Check in 60 seconds whether you're affected, then compare options that keep your number.
The switch-off is on 31 January 2027
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What's happening, in plain English
The UK's traditional phone network, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), runs over copper wires and is decades old. Openreach is retiring it and moving every line to digital, internet-based calling.
The final date is 31 January 2027, and Openreach has said there will be no further extension. New analogue lines have already stopped being sold in most areas, so many businesses can no longer order or change copper-based services.
As of July 2026, Openreach estimated that around 350,000 business premises were still on legacy copper lines.
Source: Openreach, July 2026.
What's affected
It isn't just the phone on your desk. Anything that relies on a traditional phone line needs checking.
Analogue phone lines
Standard landlines used for calls.
ISDN2 and ISDN30
The lines behind many older office phone systems (PBX).
ADSL and FTTC broadband
Runs over the same copper and will be replaced with digital alternatives such as SOGEA or full fibre.
Alarm and security systems
Many use a phone line to call a monitoring centre.
Card payment terminals
Older terminals that dial out over a landline.
Lift emergency phones and door entry
Often wired to an analogue line.
Fax, franking machines and telemetry
Anything that dials out.
Is your business affected? Check in 60 seconds
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Your options for switching
The switch-off is also a chance to move off an old system entirely. Most businesses choose one of these routes.
Cloud phone system (UCaaS)
Calls, voicemail, call routing and often video and chat in one app, running over the internet. Works on desk phones, laptops and mobiles.
Best for: Most small and midsize businesses replacing an old office system.
Compare cloud phone systemsMicrosoft Teams Phone
Adds proper phone numbers and calling to Teams.
Best for: Businesses that already use Microsoft 365 every day.
Compare Teams calling optionsSIP trunking (keep your existing system)
Connects an existing phone system to digital lines, if the system is modern enough to support it.
Best for: Larger sites with a recent PBX that isn't due for replacement.
Get advice on SIPAdd an AI receptionist
An AI voice agent that answers, qualifies and routes calls 24/7, so you never miss an enquiry. Works alongside any of the options above.
Best for: Businesses that miss calls out of hours or when everyone's busy.
Compare AI receptionists
More on AI services, or see how it works for healthcare and retail teams.
Can I keep my phone number?
In most cases, yes. Moving an existing number to a new provider is called number porting, and it's a standard part of switching. Your new provider handles the request. Porting can take a few days to a few weeks, which is another reason not to leave it until January.
Key dates
September 2023
Stop-sell on new analogue lines begins.
December 2025
Original switch-off date, later extended.
31 January 2027
PSTN retired. Final deadline, with no further extension planned.
After January 2027
Openreach has said there won't be a single "big bang" cut-off on 1 February. Remaining lines will be dealt with over time, and some may be moved to a basic emergency-calls-only service. That's a fallback, not a plan: waiting risks disruption and limited engineer availability.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Don't leave it to January
Engineers and porting slots get busier as the deadline approaches. Get matched with providers that fit your business in about 2 minutes.
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