Deadline: 31 January 2027
PSTN switch-off 2027: prepare your UK business
Traditional phone lines are closing in January 2027. Find the analogue and ISDN dependencies across your business, then plan calls, connected equipment and connectivity together.
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January 2027
It is more than a change to your office phones
When traditional PSTN and ISDN services are withdrawn, businesses need a supported replacement for calls and any equipment that depends on those lines. An unused-looking phone socket could be supporting an alarm, a lift or a payment terminal.
Start with a line and device inventory. Check your own provider's migration date, the contracts and numbers you need to keep, and the requirements of each equipment supplier.
Check every connected dependency
Do not assume a device will work because it plugs into a new router. The supplier responsible for that equipment must confirm and test its supported migration path.
Analogue lines, ISDN and legacy PBXs
Inventory every line and number. Ask your phone-system maintainer whether a supported SIP upgrade or replacement is appropriate.
Alarms and fire signalling
Your alarm maintainer and monitoring centre must confirm a supported signalling path and test the equipment.
Lift emergency phones
Ask the lift maintenance company to confirm emergency calling, power backup and end-to-end testing before changing the line.
Telecare and care alarms
Arrange vendor-led confirmation and testing. Do not assume a digital phone socket will support the existing device.
Card payment terminals
Check with your payment provider whether terminals use dial-up lines and how supported IP or mobile connectivity will be tested.
Fax and document workflows
Confirm a supported fax service or document alternative. An analogue adapter is not a guarantee of reliable fax delivery.
CCTV and remote monitoring
Ask the monitoring maintainer how signals travel, what bandwidth is needed and how an alternative path will be tested.
Broadband and power-cut calling
Confirm any legacy voice dependency, suitable backup power and alternative emergency calling at every site.
This is indicative planning guidance, not certification of safety, compatibility or legal compliance. Digital phone services may fail without power. Safety-critical devices require confirmation and testing by the relevant equipment vendor; an online score or analogue adapter cannot guarantee compatibility.
Choose the replacement by business fit
Telappliant provides business phone systems, SIP trunking, Microsoft Teams calling and connectivity. We can review these together; specialist equipment remains subject to its vendor's confirmation.
Cloud business phone systems
Choose a hosted system such as SelectVoice or VoIPOffice by user needs, call handling and deployment fit, rather than automatically keeping the old hardware.
Explore cloud phone systemsMicrosoft Teams calling
For businesses already working in Teams, review external calling with Direct Routing, subject to licensing and compatibility assessment.
Explore Teams callingSIP trunking
Retain a supported compatible PBX where its maintainer confirms the connection, licences and upgrades required to replace analogue or ISDN lines.
Explore SIP trunkingResilient connectivity
Review FTTP, SoGEA, Ethernet and suitable backup connections. Digital calls depend on connectivity and powered equipment, not just a new handset.
Explore business connectivityPSTN voice closure is not the end of all copper access
SoGEA can deliver broadband over copper without traditional PSTN voice. Some WLR-linked ADSL, FTTC and G.fast services still have a technical dependency on the legacy platform. Ask your provider to confirm your actual service rather than assuming all copper broadband is being withdrawn.
Temporary safeguards are not an extension
Openreach's September 2026 update describes EVAc as a limited, temporary, last-resort safety net for eligible lines. Linked broadband may be retained only where technically feasible. EVAc cannot be ordered in advance, its capacity cannot be reserved, and neither measure guarantees continued service or changes the deadline.
Read Openreach's official updateBuild a practical migration plan
Keep business calling, connected equipment and connectivity in one plan, with a named owner for each dependency.
- 1
Inventory and assign owners
List lines, numbers, devices and broadband by site. Check provider dates and contracts, including equipment managed by landlords.
- 2
Confirm with equipment vendors
Obtain a supported upgrade path and written confirmation. Agree safety-critical testing with the maintainer and monitoring provider.
- 3
Plan connectivity, power and porting
Agree replacement services, backup arrangements, number portability, cutover and recovery steps. Do not cancel existing lines prematurely.
- 4
Test and document before the deadline
Test calling and each connected device, including power and connection failures. Retain confirmations and record anything still outstanding.
PSTN switch-off: practical business questions
Know what still needs attention
Check your lines, devices and power-cut arrangements before January 2027. Choose a migration review only if you want Telappliant to contact you.
Sources and scope
- Openreach: deadline and temporary safeguards, 24 September 2026
- UK Government: digital landlines, connected devices and emergency power backup
UK business planning guidance, not a quotation, safety certification or compatibility guarantee. Equipment vendors and communications providers must confirm the requirements for your own services. Temporary safeguards do not extend the 31 January 2027 deadline.