The landline switch-off is 31 January 2027. Is your business ready?
The UK's old copper phone network is being retired for good. Card machines, alarms and lift phones can all be affected. Here's what to check before the deadline.
The UK's traditional copper telephone network, the PSTN, is being permanently retired on 31 January 2027. Openreach has said this deadline will not be extended again.
For most households the change happens in the background. For businesses it needs more attention. Business lines don't get the same protections as consumer lines, and Openreach estimates that around 350,000 business premises were still on legacy copper lines in summer 2026.
What is actually changing
Phone calls are moving from the old analogue network to digital services that run over a broadband connection. Your phone number can usually be kept, but anything that relies on a traditional phone line needs to be checked.
What could be affected
The phone on the desk is often the least of it. Before the deadline, check every device that uses a phone line:
- Card payment terminals: older machines that connect through a phone line will stop working.
- Intruder and fire alarms: monitored alarms often dial out over a copper line.
- Lift emergency phones: these are a safety requirement and must keep working.
- Fax machines and franking machines.
- CCTV, door entry and telecare systems.
- Lines that only exist for one device, such as a line used just for the alarm.
If you're not sure what a line is used for, that's the first thing to find out.
Why leaving it late is risky
As the deadline gets closer, engineers and installation slots will get busier. Businesses that leave it until the last few weeks may struggle to get work booked in time, and the cost of the old line rental has already been going up through 2026 as the old products are withdrawn.
A simple checklist
- List every phone line at each site, including lines that only serve one device.
- Match each line to what it does: calls, card machine, alarm, lift or something else.
- Speak to your providers: your phone provider, alarm company and card machine provider.
- Check your broadband is reliable enough to carry your calls, and think about what happens in a power cut.
- Agree a migration date well before January 2027.
The Vantage View
The switch-off is also a good moment to review the whole setup. Many businesses are still paying for lines they no longer need, or for broadband and phone contracts that were agreed years ago. Moving to digital is a chance to tidy that up rather than just replace like for like.
What to do next
If you're not sure which of your lines or devices will be affected, we can help you work through it, along with your broadband, phones and card machines in one conversation.
Request a Free Business Health Check and a member of our team will help you review your position.
This article is general information only and does not constitute a contract offer or tailored advice. Dates are based on Openreach's published plans at the time of writing.
