The UK’s traditional analogue telephone network, known as the Public Switched Telephone Network or PSTN, is being retired. Openreach has confirmed that analogue phone services are due to be switched off by 31 January 2027, with businesses and households moving to digital alternatives.
The change affects more than traditional telephone calls. Many organisations still have devices and services connected to analogue phone lines, including alarms, lift emergency phones, payment terminals, entry systems, fax machines and telecare equipment. Businesses should identify these services and plan their migration before the deadline.
What Is the PSTN?
The PSTN is the traditional network used to deliver analogue telephone calls over copper lines. It has supported UK telephone services for decades, but the equipment is ageing, increasingly difficult to maintain and no longer suitable for the way modern communications services are delivered.
Telephone calls are therefore moving to digital technology, where calls are carried over a broadband or data connection rather than through a traditional analogue telephone service.
What services are affected by the PSTN switch off?
- Fibre Broadband (FTTC) and standard broadband (ADSL).
- Voice services over a landline (you will be unable to make and receive calls using your landline).
Other products and services affected by the change are alarms and payment terminals. Customers should begin looking in to IP based solutions for these products before the PSTN network reaches end of life. They can do this by contacting their existing provider.
Are Businesses Affected by the PSTN Withdrawal?
Yes. Businesses are directly affected by the PSTN withdrawal if they still use traditional analogue phone lines or equipment connected to them. This can include desk phones, fax machines, card payment terminals, burglar alarms, fire alarms, lift emergency phones, door entry systems and other monitoring equipment.
The impact will vary depending on the services and equipment your business currently uses. Globe2 can help identify which systems may be affected by the PSTN switch-off and provide expert guidance on the most suitable replacement and migration options.
When Is the PSTN Switch-Off Happening?
The UK’s analogue telephone network is due to be retired by 31 January 2027.
The sale of new analogue phone lines stopped nationally in September 2023. Customers taking out a new service, switching provider or changing their existing package will generally be moved to a digital alternative instead of receiving a new analogue line.
Some businesses may be migrated before January 2027, depending on their provider, contract, location and the services available at their premises.
What Services Are Affected?
The switch-off affects services that rely on traditional analogue telephone lines or legacy Openreach products such as Wholesale Line Rental.
This includes traditional voice calls and may also affect equipment connected to the telephone line, such as:
- Burglar and fire alarms
- Lift emergency phones
- Door entry and intercom systems
- Telecare and healthcare alarms
- Card payment terminals
- Fax machines
- Modems and monitoring equipment
- Emergency or roadside telephone systems
- Building management and utility equipment
Not every device will stop working automatically, but each service should be checked with its manufacturer or provider. Some equipment can be reconfigured, while other devices may need an IP, mobile or full-fibre replacement.
What will replace the PSTN network?
This PSTN withdrawal means that both residential and business customers must upgrade from using a landline to a VoIP (Voice Over IP) phone system to make calls.
Customers will also need to upgrade from ADSL or FTTC broadband to either FTTP (Fibre To The Premises) or a new broadband product called SOGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access). These broadband services require a physical line, however calls cannot be made from it.
Getting ahead of the PSTN withdrawal
Broadband:
Before the switch-off, you will need to upgrade your current broadband if you are with a provider on the Openreach network and have FTTC or ADSL broadband. These need to be upgraded to a future-proof solution such as FTTP or SOGEA.
If you are looking to upgrade to the new broadband service that does require a phone line, get in touch here.
UPDATED: Check and see if you can get future-proof, reliable broadband by using the Broadband Checker on our website.
Phone:
Customers will also need to migrate from using a landline to an IP solution such as a VoIP phone system. We can port your landline number to our VoIP phone system for free within 10 working days.
VoIP has many advantages over a PSTN line such as advanced call routing features for more information see our telephony page.
Alarms and payment terminals:
Any services such as those listed above will need to be upgraded to an internet-based solution. You will need to contact your existing provider for more information about this.
FAQ:
Can I upgrade my broadband and voice products now ahead of the withdrawal?
Yes, we can now provide FTTP or SOGEA broadband and we will continue to provide our IP Phone system.
For more information or to get in touch about upgrading, please click here.
Can I keep my landline number after the PSTN switch off?
Yes. VoIP providers such as ourselves can port your landline number into our VoIP system within 10 working days. Some other providers
Please get in touch here, you would like assistance with porting your number into a VoIP solution.
I do not have broadband, but I want to make calls without paying for broadband – what can I do?
Openreach are set to announce a new broadband product with reduced bandwidth which will be available at a considerably lower cost to allow customers to be able to use a VoIP phone system at a reasonable cost.
This reduced bandwidth broadband solution is yet to be announced but we will make sure to cover it in depth once we have more information.
VoIP vs landline
A Voice Over IP phone system is (in my opinion) is a lot better than a landline when it comes to making and receiving calls. This is because, with most VoIP solutions you can intelligently route calls with its advanced features and UK call costs are (most of the time) included.
For more information on moving from a landline to VoIP see our article here.
