The UK’s analogue phone network closes for good on 31 January 2027. If your business still relies on a traditional phone line, now is the time to act.
What is the PSTN?
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the copper-based phone network that has kept the UK talking for over a century. It’s old, expensive to maintain and can’t keep up with how businesses work today. Openreach is retiring it and moving everyone onto digital services that run over the internet.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
| September 2023 | New analogue phone lines stopped being sold nationwide |
| Now | Moves to digital are under way across the UK |
| 31 January 2027 | The PSTN closes for good |
Openreach has confirmed the deadline will not move.
Time is running out
Openreach estimates that around 1.2 million lines are still on the old copper network, including roughly 350,000 business premises.
Lines that haven’t moved by the deadline may be switched to a temporary emergency service. Openreach describes this service as limited, temporary and more expensive than modern alternatives. It’s a last-resort safety net, not a plan.
It’s not just your phones
Many businesses forget that other equipment also runs on analogue lines. Check whether any of these rely on a traditional line:
- Intruder and fire alarms
- Lift emergency phones
- Door entry and access systems
- Card payment terminals
- Fax machines and franking machines
- CCTV and remote monitoring
- Some older broadband connections
Want to keep things simple? Meet PhoneLine+
Not every business needs a brand-new phone system. If you just want your line to keep working as it does today, PhoneLine+ is the easiest way to switch.
PhoneLine+ is our modern replacement for the traditional landline. Instead of using the old copper network, your calls go over your broadband connection. It’s ready for the switch-off and gives you a more reliable service.
What stays the same:
- Your phone number. You keep your existing number, so nothing changes for your customers or suppliers.
- Your phones. You can carry on using your current analogue handsets. We supply a small adapter called an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter). It connects to your router, you plug your phone into it, and that’s it.
What gets better:
- Voicemail to email, so you never miss a message
- Call forwarding to your mobile or another number
- Manage your calls from anywhere with an internet connection
Ideal for: small offices, single-line businesses and anyone who wants to be ready for the switch-off without changing how they work.
The upside: a better way to communicate
Ready for more? A full cloud phone system takes things further. Moving to digital isn’t just about meeting a deadline. Modern cloud phone systems give your business:
- Flexibility: Take calls on your desk phone, mobile or laptop, wherever you’re working
- Lower costs: Often cheaper than traditional line rental and call charges
- Clearer calls: HD voice quality over your internet connection
- Smarter features: Call recording, auto-attendants, voicemail to email and Microsoft Teams integration
- Room to grow: Add or remove users in minutes, with no engineer visits
What should you do now?
- Audit your lines. List every phone line and the equipment connected to it.
- Check your connectivity. Make sure your broadband can handle digital voice.
- Talk to your suppliers. Ask your alarm, lift and payment providers about their digital upgrade plans.
- Plan your move. Don’t leave it until the last minute, because installers will get busier as the deadline approaches.
Not sure where to start? We’re here to help
Whether you have one line or fifty, our team can review what you have, explain your options in plain English and handle the move for you, with minimal disruption to your business.
If you’re unsure whether you’re affected or have any questions about the switch-off, get in touch with our friendly team today.