Are they getting rid of landlines in 2026? What you need to know
When are landlines going digital? What you need to know
UK landlines are going digital. The old copper-wire phone network, known as the PSTN, is being switched off by January 2027. Every home and business using a traditional landline will need to move to a digital alternative before then.
The good news? Your phone number stays the same. You can still make and receive calls. You can still use a handset if you want to. What changes is the technology behind it all. Instead of copper wires, your calls will travel over your broadband connection using something called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
If you run a business in the UK, this affects you. Below, we’ll explain what’s happening, when, and exactly what you need to do about it.
When are landlines going digital?
Every traditional landline in the UK is moving to digital technology. The old analogue phone network, called the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), is being retired completely by January 2027.
Think of it like the switch from VHS to streaming. You still watch films, but the way they’re delivered has changed. With landlines, you’ll still make phone calls, but those calls will travel over your internet connection instead of ageing copper wires.
This isn’t optional. It’s a nationwide infrastructure change led by Openreach (the company that maintains the UK’s phone network) and supported by the UK government. Whether you’re with BT, Sky, TalkTalk, or any other provider, the switch applies to you.
For businesses, it’s worth understanding the difference between BT’s consumer product, called Digital Voice, and a proper business VoIP phone system. They’re not the same thing. BT Digital Voice is a basic consumer service. A business VoIP system like VoIPSure gives you far more features, flexibility, and support.
When is the digital switchover happening?
The switch isn’t a single overnight event. It’s been rolling out in stages across the UK, and key milestones have already passed.
Key dates for the UK
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Stop-sell on new PSTN/ISDN lines | Already in effect (since September 2023) |
| Rolling exchange switch-offs | Happening now across the UK |
| Final UK PSTN switch-off | January 2027 |
Openreach stopped selling new traditional phone lines back in 2023. Since then, telephone exchanges have been switching off on a rolling basis. Some areas are further ahead than others, so your local deadline may arrive sooner than you expect.
Has the switch already started?
Yes, and it’s well underway. Over two-thirds of UK landlines have already been upgraded to digital technology. The number of customers still on the old PSTN network has been falling rapidly.
If you haven’t been contacted by your provider yet, you will be. But there’s no reason to wait. Planning ahead gives your business more choice and less disruption.
What if you miss the deadline?
Your phone line will simply stop working. No extensions, no grace periods. For businesses, that means losing incoming calls and customer contact overnight.
That’s not a situation anyone wants, especially when preparing for the switch is straightforward with the right support.
Why are landlines going digital?
The copper telephone network has been around for well over a hundred years. That’s impressive, but it also means the physical infrastructure is wearing out.
Ofcom reported a 45% increase in major PSTN incidents during 2024, with over 2,600 significant faults in a single year. The parts needed to fix the network are no longer being manufactured. Repairs now rely on recycling components from decommissioned parts of the system.
Maintaining two separate networks, one for phone calls and one for broadband, is also expensive and inefficient. By moving everything onto a single digital network, telecoms providers can invest in improving that one system rather than patching up an old one.
Digital phone lines also offer practical benefits. Call quality is noticeably better. You get access to features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and CRM integration that copper lines could never support. And for most businesses, the monthly costs end up lower too.
How does the digital switch affect UK businesses?
The switch affects more than just your phone line. For UK businesses, there are several practical things to think about.
Your phone system
If your business uses a traditional PBX system connected to ISDN lines, that system will stop working after the switch-off. You’ll need to migrate to a cloud-based phone system or hosted VoIP alternative.
Here’s the silver lining: this is an upgrade opportunity, not just a replacement. Modern cloud phone systems offer features that older equipment simply couldn’t match. Call routing, auto-attendant, mobile apps, call recording, and analytics all come as standard with most providers.
Your broadband connection
VoIP relies on a stable broadband connection. If your current internet struggles with video calls or large file transfers, it may not handle voice traffic reliably either.
For larger teams or businesses that handle a high volume of calls, it’s worth considering an upgrade from FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) to FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) or a leased line. FTTP delivers fibre directly to your building, while FTTC relies on copper for the final stretch.
Devices you might not have thought about
This is the bit that catches many businesses off guard. A surprising amount of equipment still relies on analogue phone lines without anyone realising it.
Commonly affected devices include:
- Intruder and fire alarms connected to monitoring centres via phone lines
- CCTV systems with remote monitoring
- Card payment terminals that dial out over a phone line
- Door entry systems
- Lift emergency phones
- Fax machines
Each of these needs checking and potentially replacing with digital or mobile-based alternatives. It’s worth auditing your setup sooner rather than later.
What replaces traditional landlines?
Traditional landlines aren’t disappearing without a replacement. The technology is changing, but the service continues.
VoIP and cloud phone systems
VoIP delivers your phone calls over your internet connection instead of copper wires. A cloud phone system, sometimes called a hosted PBX, manages all your business call features without any physical equipment on-site.
VoIPSure, B4BC’s flagship cloud phone system, is designed to make this transition simple. It replaces traditional landlines with a fully hosted service that includes call routing, voicemail, mobile and desktop apps, and 24/7 UK-based support, all managed through one straightforward platform.
With VoIP, you get features that traditional landlines couldn’t offer. Call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, call recording, and CRM integration all come as standard.
Mobile and hybrid options
Some businesses may rely on mobile networks as a primary or backup connection. 5G offers speeds and reliability suitable for voice calls, especially for businesses with mobile workforces or multiple locations.
Working from anywhere
Many businesses now combine VoIP desk phones with mobile apps and softphones. A softphone is simply an app that lets you make calls from your computer or smartphone using your business number.
Staff can take calls on any device, from anywhere. That’s ideal for remote and hybrid working setups, and it’s something traditional landlines could never do.
How to prepare your business for the switch
The deadline might feel like it’s a way off, but preparing early gives your business more choice and less stress. Here’s a practical step-by-step plan.
1. Audit your current phone setup
List all your phone lines, numbers, and connected devices. Identify any equipment that relies on analogue connections. Check your contracts and notice periods with current providers.
This gives you a clear picture of what needs to change.
2. Check your broadband connection
VoIP works best with reliable internet and sufficient upload speed. Consider whether your current broadband can handle voice traffic alongside your usual data needs.
FTTP or a leased line may be worth exploring for larger teams or call-heavy businesses.
3. Talk to a telecoms provider
Get advice on the best digital replacement for your current setup. A good provider will assess your needs, explain your options in plain English, and handle the migration for you.
4. Plan your migration timeline
Don’t wait until the deadline approaches. Allow time for testing and staff training. A phased approach reduces the risk of disruption and lets you iron out any issues before going fully live.
5. Train your team
New features only add value if your team knows how to use them. Most cloud phone systems have intuitive interfaces, but a bit of training goes a long way. Your provider should offer onboarding support.
Can you keep your phone number?
Yes, in almost all cases. Number porting lets you transfer your existing phone numbers to your new VoIP provider. They handle the process, and it typically takes around 5 to 15 working days for UK numbers.
Your customers won’t notice any difference. They’ll reach you on the same number they’ve always used.
Some numbers in very rural areas may have minor complications, but this is rare. The vast majority of businesses keep their existing numbers without any issues.
Ready to switch Talk to a UK telecoms specialist (like B4BC!)
UK landlines are going digital, and January 2027 is the deadline. The switch is manageable with the right support, and most businesses find they end up with a more capable phone system than they had before.
B4BC helps UK businesses migrate from traditional landlines to VoIP with minimal disruption, same-day installation options, and 24/7 UK-based support. We’ve been doing this for over 20 years.
Get in touch to speak with a telecoms expert about your switch.
FAQs
The switch is happening on a rolling basis across the UK, exchange by exchange. Some areas have already switched, while others will follow over the coming months. Your provider should contact you at least four weeks before your local switch date. If you want to check sooner, contact your current phone provider or speak to a telecoms specialist who can advise.
Your phone calls will be delivered over your broadband connection instead of the old copper network. For most people, the change is straightforward. You may need to plug your phone into your broadband router rather than the wall socket. For businesses, it’s often an opportunity to upgrade to a full cloud phone system with features like call routing, mobile apps, and call recording.
If your phone is plugged into your broadband router rather than a traditional phone socket on the wall, you’re likely already on a digital line. You can also check by contacting your provider and asking whether your service uses VoIP or Digital Voice. If you’re still plugged into a wall socket with no broadband involved, you’re on the old analogue network and will need to switch.
For businesses, yes. A dedicated business phone number builds trust with customers and gives you access to features like call routing, voicemail, and call recording that mobile phones can’t match. The landline itself is going digital, but the service continues. Switching to a VoIP system means you keep your number and gain features you didn’t have before, often at a lower monthly cost.
No. You won’t lose your phone service, but the technology delivering it will change. The old copper network is being switched off by January 2027, and all voice calls will move to digital lines delivered over broadband. If you don’t switch before the deadline, your line will stop working. But if you move to a digital alternative in time, your number and service carry on as normal.
Yes. In many cases you can keep using your existing handset by plugging it into your broadband router instead of the wall socket. For businesses, most providers recommend upgrading to an IP desk phone or using a softphone app on your mobile or laptop, as these give you access to the full range of features that digital phone systems offer.
Not really. The old copper network is being decommissioned across the UK, so there’s no analogue service to stay on after January 2027. If you don’t move to a digital service, your phone line will simply stop working. The good news is that digital alternatives are typically cheaper, more reliable, and more feature-rich than traditional landlines. The switch is less about losing something and more about upgrading to something better.
