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The 2027 PSTN Switch-Off is Approaching: Is Your Business Ready?

By January 2027, the UK’s traditional copper phone networks (PSTN and ISDN) will be permanently switched off. With the final transition phase already underway, secure your business continuity today before Openreach engineer wait times peak.

Complete the switch today, and get instant access to myHUB benefits

What is the PSTN Switch-Off?

For decades, UK businesses have relied on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) to run their landlines and basic broadband.

BT Openreach is currently retiring this outdated copper network. By the end of January 2027, every home and business in the UK must be upgraded to a fully digital, internet-based connection.

Where are we now?

We are currently in the final mandatory transition phase. "Stop Sell" rules are already active across most of the UK, meaning you can no longer buy or alter legacy copper products. If you wait until the last minute, you risk severe downtime as millions of businesses scramble for installation dates.

Which Business Services Will Stop Working?

It’s not just your phone lines. Any hardware that relies on a traditional copper phone line to dial out will cease to function. If you don't upgrade, you risk losing:

  • Card Terminals (PDQ Machines): Inability to process physical payments.
  • Alarm Systems & CCTV: Leaving your premises uninsured and unprotected.
  • Elevator Phones: Breaking health and safety compliance.
  • Fax Machines & Legacy PBX: Severing communication with clients.

Why the PSTN switch-off matters

You might believe the switch-off will not affect your business, but many services still depend on traditional landlines. These include fax systems, alarms, card machines, and older broadband like ADSL or FTTC. Many businesses continue to use this technology.

BT Openreach is retiring the network so the UK can move fully to digital IP-based voice and fibre broadband solutions. By the final switch-off in 2027, every line that still relies on copper will stop working.

Key PSTN Switch-Off Dates

BT Openreach Announcement - November 2017

BT Openreach announced that it plans to switch off the network. The original date was December 2025 before being pushed back to 2027. 

Stop Sell Starts – December 2020 - September 2023

Stop sell starts being phased in. Many areas have started to stop selling older PSTN & ISDN lines. 

Stop Sell – September 2023

No new PSTN-related services can be ordered anywhere in the UK.
This includes:

  • Traditional landlines

  • Analogue phone systems

  • FTTC/ADSL broadband using PSTN

Mandatory Transition – 2024–2026

Businesses must migrate to digital services. Replacement lines, VoIP and fibre broadband are now the only options available.

Final Switch-Off – 31 January 2027

All PSTN-based lines are permanently disabled.

comparing offers ready for PSTN switch off.

The Solution: Upgrading Your Voice and Connection

To beat the switch-off, you need to upgrade two things: how you make calls, and how you connect to the internet.

Upgrading Your Voice (From PSTN to VoIP)

Old phone lines transmitted voice via copper wires. The modern replacement is VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), which transmits your voice via the cloud.

  • Cheaper: Significant reductions in line rental and call costs.

  • Flexible: Keep your existing business numbers and answer calls on desk phones, mobiles, or laptops.

  • Feature-Rich: Includes call routing, virtual receptionists, and hold music as standard.

Upgrading Your Connection (From ADSL to SoGEA or FTTP)

Your old ADSL or FTTC broadband required a phone line to work. The new digital standards do not.

  • SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access): Uses existing infrastructure but removes the voice line entirely. Perfect for small businesses that don't yet have full-fibre in their area. Speeds up to 80Mbps.

  • FTTP (Fibre to the Premises): A pure fibre-optic cable running straight into your building. The ultimate future-proof connection. Speeds up to 1,000Mbps.

 

Why Manage Your Switch With Love Business?

Navigating Openreach wait times, porting existing business numbers, and setting up new routers can be a massive headache. We make the transition seamless.

  • Zero Downtime Guarantee: We coordinate the overlap between your old connection turning off and your new digital connection going live.

  • Keep Your Numbers: We handle the complex porting process so you don't lose your established business phone numbers.

  • Everything in One Place with myHUB: Say goodbye to multiple provider logins. With the exclusive myHUB platform, you can track your installation, manage your new digital broadband, and oversee your VoIP settings from one unified, easy-to-use dashboard.

PSTN vs VoIP vs FTTP Comparison 

Technology

 Copper wire

Digital (Cloud-based)

Pure Fibre Optics

Hardware

Physical Handsets

Softphones, Apps, or IP Phones

Router

Reliability

Works during power cuts

Dependent on Internet & Power

Highly stable

Scalability

Slow (requires physical lines)

Instant (add users via software)

High (supports 1Gbps+ speeds)

Features

Basic Voice & Fax

Video, CRM Sync, Analytics

Ultra-fast data & 4K Streaming

Average Cost

High (Line rental + Call costs)

Low (Monthly subscription)

Competitive (Bundled services)

How to Prepare Your Business

List all devices using your phone line

    • Phones (do you have a landline phone?)

    • Broadband (is this fibre to the cabinet only?)

    • Alarms

    • Payment terminals

    • Lift lines

    • Monitoring services

Check Which Services Must Be Upgraded

Speak with your alarm provider, payment processor or IT support to confirm compatibility.

 

Switch to VoIP for Calling

VoIP works with:

    • Desk phones

    • Softphones
      Mobile apps

    • Cloud PBX systems

We can help you find a VoIP phone solution.

Upgrade to FTTP or SoGEA Broadband

Choose a connection that supports digital communication reliably. There’s going to be a mad rush in 2026 as the January 2027 date approaches. You don’t want to find yourself on a long wait list for installation.

Why Switch to Digital Now? 

Upgrading ahead of the PSTN switch-off offers long-term advantages, including faster internet speeds, better security, lower costs, future-proof communications, reduced equipment maintenance costs, and better customer experience. We're here to help your business transition to digital.
Click here to get a broadband and phone line quote before the last-minute rush.

PSTN Switch-Off FAQs

  • Will my landline stop working?

    Yes. All traditional landline services will stop on 31 January 2027.

  • Do I need full-fibre to use VoIP?

    FTTP is recommended, but VoIP works with SoGEA and high-speed FTTC (if still active in your area).

  • Will my alarm or CCTV stop working?

    If they run on copper lines, yes. Check with your supplier.

  • Can I keep my existing business phone number?

    Yes — numbers can be ported to VoIP.

  • What if my area doesn’t have FTTP yet?

    SoGEA is the main digital-ready alternative.

  • What happens to my small business if I don't switch

    Many small businesses still rely on older analogue systems without realising it. The switch-off can interrupt operations if not handled early. Not preparing could mean no incoming or outgoing calls, card payments failing, alarms, or CCTV systems not working, loss of broadband connection, downtime impacting staff & customers, and emergency lines disabled. 

  • What is the final PSTN switch-off date?

    The final PSTN switch-off date is 31st January 2027. 

Get instant benefits the moment you
switch with Love Business

The moment you switch with us, you will get access to your own myHUB account,
where you’ll get free contract tracking, early renewal alerts and more. All in one dashboard.

 

Over 80,000 businesses have already switched. You're in good company.