PSTN Switch Off 2027: What UK Businesses and Homeowners Must Do Now
The UK telephone network is changing permanently.
By 31 January 2027, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) will be switched off. Traditional copper landlines will stop working. The dial tone many businesses and households rely on today will disappear.
The deadline was moved from 2025 to 2027 to allow more time for migration. It was not cancelled. Copper infrastructure is being retired and all calls will run over internet-based networks instead.
For businesses, this is about protecting revenue.
For homeowners, it is about keeping a working landline.
Leaving it until the last minute is a risk.
What Is the PSTN Switch Off?
PSTN is the legacy copper network that has powered UK landlines for decades. It was designed in a pre-broadband era and cannot support modern digital communications.
The switch off means:
- Analogue landlines will stop working
- ISDN business lines will be retired
- New copper services are already restricted in many areas
- All phone services must run over broadband
If your phone plugs directly into the wall rather than your router, it will need upgrading.
How Many UK Businesses Are Still Using PSTN?
This is not a small transition.
In Feb 2026, Openreach warned that 500k businesses are still relying on traditional landlines. These lines still need to be migrated before the 2027 deadline.
Many small businesses assume their provider will automatically handle the change. Others simply are not aware their existing line will stop working.
The reality is simple: if your business still relies on copper, you need a plan.
How the PSTN Switch Off Affects Businesses
For SMEs, this is not just technical. It is commercial.
When your phone stops, enquiries stop.
When enquiries stop, revenue follows.
Missed Calls = Missed Revenue
Many small businesses still rely on:
- A single landline
- Divert-to-mobile SIM services
- Ageing ISDN systems
- Basic on-site PBX hardware
If migration is rushed or poorly managed, calls can be lost. Website leads, repeat customers and new enquiries disappear without warning.
Replacing your line is the minimum. Upgrading how you handle calls is the opportunity.
Modern business VoIP phone systems allow small teams to route calls, set opening hours, create departments and answer enquiries from anywhere.
For trades, service businesses and growing teams, this means:
- Answering calls while on site
- Redirecting calls during busy periods
- Keeping a professional presence without multiple physical lines
If you are migrating anyway, it makes sense to move to a system built for flexibility.
You can also retain your existing number during migration.
by porting your existing business number.
The switch off is happening. Doing the minimum is possible. Doing it properly protects revenue.
How the PSTN Switch Off Affects Homes
Businesses focus on revenue. Households focus on reliability.
Millions of residential landlines are still operating on the legacy PSTN network. After 2027, those lines will no longer function unless moved to a digital platform.
In most cases, the change means:
- Your phone plugs into your broadband router
- Or you use a digital handset
- Or an adapter connects your existing phone
You do not lose your number. You move it.
Keeping Your Home Number Without Complexity
Most homeowners do not need business-level features. They need a telecoms supplier built specifically for residential landline replacement.
Phonely operates as a UK home VoIP telecoms supplier focused entirely on digital landline replacement. Their services are built for residential customers who want to keep their number, move away from copper and maintain a simple, reliable home phone.
That focus matters. Residential users need clarity, stability and straightforward setup, not complex call management systems.
Rural Areas, Broadband and Starlink
One of the most common concerns around the PSTN switch off is broadband reliability, especially in rural areas.
If calls run over the internet, what happens where fibre is limited?
New technologies are changing that. Satellite broadband services such as Starlink now provide high-speed connectivity in areas traditional infrastructure struggled to reach.
When combined with VoIP, satellite broadband can fully replace a copper landline.
Phonely provides VoIP solutions compatible with Starlink and other broadband services, ensuring rural households can transition away from PSTN without losing phone access.
For countryside properties and remote homes, digital infrastructure is often more reliable than ageing copper ever was.
What Has Already Changed?
This transition is already underway.
In many parts of the UK, providers have introduced stop-sell rules for new PSTN and ISDN services. That means you may not even be able to order a new copper line today.
The industry is also working to protect vulnerable customers, particularly those relying on telecare systems.
The direction is fixed. The only variable is timing.
Why Acting Early Makes Sense
Waiting rarely saves money.
Acting early allows you to:
- Control the migration timeline
- Test new systems properly
- Avoid installation backlogs
- Compare costs calmly
- Prevent service disruption
Businesses can improve how they handle calls.
Homeowners can move their number without pressure.
Leaving it until the end of 2026 increases the risk of rushed decisions.
Final Thoughts
The PSTN switch off is not optional.
By January 2027, copper landlines will be gone.
For businesses, this is about protecting enquiries and upgrading call handling.
For homeowners, it is about keeping a reliable landline in a digital world.
The network is changing either way. Planning now ensures the transition is smooth, controlled and commercially sensible.
PSTN Switch Off FAQs
When is the PSTN switch off happening?
The UK PSTN network will be permanently switched off on 31 January 2027. After this date, traditional copper landlines and ISDN services will no longer operate.
Will my landline stop working in 2027?
Yes, if your landline relies on the old copper PSTN network, it will stop working unless it is moved to a digital VoIP service that runs over broadband.
Do I lose my phone number when switching from PSTN?
No. In most cases, you can keep your existing number by porting it to a VoIP provider before the switch off.
How does the PSTN switch off affect small businesses?
Businesses still using analogue or ISDN lines will need to migrate to VoIP. If left too late, this could cause service disruption, missed calls and lost revenue. Migrating early allows proper setup and testing.
How does the PSTN switch off affect home users?
Homeowners will need to move their landline to a broadband-based digital service. This usually involves plugging a handset into the router or using a digital phone adapter. Your number can typically be retained.
What if I live in a rural area without fibre broadband?
VoIP services can work with various broadband types, including satellite internet such as Starlink. As long as you have a stable internet connection, a digital landline can operate reliably.
Is VoIP cheaper than a traditional landline?
In many cases, yes. VoIP services often cost less to run than maintaining legacy copper lines, especially when you factor in call features and flexibility.