Updated : October 28, 2026On 31 January 2027, the UK’s old copper phone network will be switched off for good. Any business line, alarm or card machine still using it will stop working.
That is only about three months away. Openreach has already told businesses to “act now”.
This guide explains, in plain terms:
- What the switch-off is and why the date is fixed
- What will stop working
- Your two main replacement options
- How to keep your existing phone number
- A simple checklist and a cost comparison
What Is the PSTN Switch-Off, and Why Is 31 January 2027 the Deadline?
The PSTN and ISDN switch-off is the end of the UK’s old copper phone network. From 31 January 2027, calls will run over the internet instead.
1. What PSTN and ISDN mean?
- The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN): the traditional landline network, built on copper wires.
- The Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN): an older digital service that also runs on copper. Businesses often used ISDN2 or ISDN30 for several lines at once.
Both are being retired and replaced by internet-based (IP) calling.
2. The September 2023 Stop-Sell and the Delay History
Openreach stopped selling new PSTN and ISDN lines on 5 September 2023. The original switch-off date was 31 December 2025.
Two things changed that plan:
i. December 2023: the industry paused forced migrations after concerns about vulnerable people using telecare alarms.
ii. May 2024: BT moved the deadline to 31 January 2027, and Openreach matched it.
3. Openreach’s ‘no extension’ statement
In July 2026, James Lilley, Openreach Director of All-IP, said: “There is no extension to the deadline”.
Do not plan around another delay. Openreach has been clear that 31 January 2027 is final.
What Stops Working on 31 January 2027?
Anything that depends on a PSTN or ISDN line will stop working. That includes more than just desk phones.
1. Phone Lines and Broadband
- Analogue landline phones (PSTN)
- ISDN2 and ISDN30 lines
- ADSL broadband, because it shares the old phone line
- FTTC broadband that relies on a phone line. This can move to SOGEA, which is the same broadband without the phone line.
- The copper cables are not being ripped out. It is the old phone service that ends. That is why FTTC broadband can carry on as SOGEA.
2. Connected Business Equipment
Many devices quietly use a phone line. Check these:
- Intruder, fire and panic alarms
- Card payment (PDQ) terminals
- Fax machines
- Door entry systems
- Lift emergency phones
- Franking machines
- CCTV and help points
- Older EPOS systems that dial out over a phone line
If a device plugs into a phone socket on the wall, add it to your list.
What Are Your Options? Digital Landline vs. a Cloud Phone System
Most businesses choose one of two paths. Both keep you calling after the deadline, but they offer very different features.
Option 1: Your Provider’s Digital Landline
Your current provider swaps your old line for a digital one. BT calls its version “Digital Voice”; other providers use names like “digital landline”.
It is a like-for-like swap. You get a phone line that works over broadband, but with a few extra features. It still works much like a traditional landline at a fixed location.
Option 2: A Cloud Phone System like CallHippo
A cloud phone system runs your business calls entirely online. You can keep your existing number and add features such as:
- Smart call routing to the right person or team
- Call analytics and recordings
- CRM and helpdesk integrations
- Calling from laptop, mobile or desk phone, wherever your team works
You can also add a new UK virtual phone number for a local presence in any city.
| Digital landline | Cloud phone system | |
|---|---|---|
How Do You Keep Your Existing Phone Number When You Switch?
You can keep your number. Moving it to a new provider is called porting, and in the UK it is your right.
1. The Porting Process
- Choose your new provider.
- Give them your current account details and the numbers to move.
- The new provider requests the port from your old one.
- Your number moves across on an agreed date.
How long does it take? It depends on the type of switch:
- Home customers: Ofcom’s One Touch Switching process, live since September 2024, makes simple switches quick. It applies to residential customers only.
- Businesses: A separate business process was still being prepared in 2026. Business and multi-line ports often take around 10 to 15 working days.
Always confirm the timeline with your new provider.
2. Why Porting Queues May Get Longer Near the Deadline
Thousands of businesses will try to switch in the final weeks. That can slow things down. Submit your request early. Learn more about number portability with CallHippo.
Your porting rights
- Ofcom’s rules say providers must let you take your number with you when you switch.
- Providers must pay compensation if they break the porting rules.
- Ofcom’s switching guidance says asking to keep your number is free if you ask within one month of canceling your old service.
Do not cancel your old line before the port completes. If you cancel first, you could lose the number.
Your UK Landline Switch-Off Migration Checklist
Work through these six steps in order.
1. Audit Every PSTN/ISDN-Dependent Line and Device
List every phone number, ISDN line, and device that uses a phone socket. Check your bills to find lines you may have forgotten.
2. Contact Your Alarm, Card-Machine and Lift-Line Providers
Ask each supplier whether their device will work over a digital line. Some will need an upgrade or a replacement.
3. Choose a Digital Landline or Cloud Phone Provider
Compare features, contract length, and support. Think about where your team works today and in the future.
4. Submit Number Porting Requests Early
Porting can take a few weeks for businesses. The earlier you start, the less risk you face from a last-minute rush.
5. Test the New System Before Decommissioning the Old Line
Make test calls. Check that alarms, card machines, and call routing all work. Only then cancel the old service.
6. Set an Internal Deadline Well Before January 2027
Aim to finish by the end of 2026. That leaves time to fix any problems.
Make one person responsible for the switch. Clear ownership stops tasks from being missed.
Landline vs. Cloud Phone System: What Does It Actually Cost?
Keeping an old copper line is getting more expensive, fast. Openreach raised its wholesale line rental (WLR) price in three steps during 2026, doubling it by October.
This is the price Openreach charges phone providers, not what you pay directly. But providers usually pass rises like this on to customers.
Cloud phone systems are priced per user, per month. In the UK, they typically cost around £7 to £40 per user per month in 2026, depending on the plan and features. Broadband and hardware are extra.
When comparing costs, look beyond the monthly fee:
- Line rental: each old landline has its own rental. A cloud system has none.
- Hardware: cloud systems work on apps, so desk phones are optional.
- Features: call routing, recordings and analytics are often included rather than charged as extras.
- Call charges: check which UK calls are included in each plan.
Conclusion
The UK landline switch-off on 31 January 2027 is fixed, with no extension planned. Businesses still on PSTN or ISDN need to act now. Audit your lines and devices, choose a new phone system, and port your numbers early. A cloud phone system lets you keep your number and gain features like call routing, analytics, and calling from anywhere.
Move your calls to cloud before deadline. With CallHippo, keep your existing UK number, add new numbers, and take calls on any device.
Schedule a Free DemoFrequently Asked Questions
1. What happens when PSTN is switched off?
Analog landlines, ISDN lines and any device that relies on them will stop working. Calls will run over the internet instead.
2. Will the PSTN switch-off be delayed again?
Openreach says no. Its Director of All-IP stated in July 2026 that “there is no extension to the deadline”.
3. Is PSTN the same as a landline?
Mostly, yes. PSTN is the copper network that traditional landlines run on. After the switch-off, landlines will be digital.
4. Will I lose my phone number when I switch?
No, if you port it. UK rules give you the right to take your number to a new provider. Start the port before you cancel your old line.
5. What happens to my alarm, card machine or lift phone?
It may stop working if it uses a phone line. Contact each supplier now to confirm it will work on a digital connection.
6. Do I need fiber broadband to use a cloud phone system?
No. You need a stable internet connection. Full fiber, SOGEA, and other good business broadband can all work. Ask your provider how much bandwidth each user needs.
Published : October 28, 2026
Harsh Bairagi is a B2B SaaS content writer with over 4 years of experience in the tech industry. Harsh believes in creating good copies to bridge the gap between tech and emotion. When not chasing clean copy or clever metaphors, he is busy catching up on his favorite sports.
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