Important Business Technology Update
The UK’s traditional telephone network is being retired. Businesses must move away from legacy telephone services and prepare for digital alternatives before the 31 January 2027 deadline.
The UK’s move from traditional analogue telephone services to digital communications is entering its final stages. The deadline is approaching, and businesses still using legacy telephone lines need to make sure their services and connected equipment are ready.
This is more than a change to office telephones. Alarm systems, payment terminals, lift emergency phones, door entry systems and other equipment may also depend on traditional telephone lines.
At Form IT Solutions, we can help you understand the IT and connectivity considerations involved and plan the next steps for your business.
Openreach’s traditional PSTN network is scheduled to close on 31 January 2027. The wider UK telecommunications industry is migrating customers from analogue landlines to digital services.
Openreach warned in October 2026 that around 300,000 business premises still had copper-based lines to migrate. Some of the remaining connections involve specialist equipment and more complex installations.
Do not assume that your existing telephone service or connected equipment will continue to work as it does today after the deadline. Contact your communications provider and equipment suppliers to confirm what needs to change.
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the traditional telephone network that has supported landline calls across the UK for decades. It uses legacy copper infrastructure to deliver analogue telephone services.
Other legacy services, including ISDN and Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) products on the Openreach network, are also being withdrawn as part of the move to digital communications.
Telephone services are being migrated to Internet Protocol (IP) technology. This includes services such as Voice over IP (VoIP), hosted telephony and other digital voice solutions.
The old network is being retired because it has become increasingly difficult to maintain. Digital services can offer businesses greater flexibility, modern calling features and easier integration with other systems.
Traditional telephone lines are often connected to equipment that businesses may not immediately associate with their phone system. It is important to identify every device that uses an analogue connection.
Traditional landlines, ISDN services and older telephone systems may need replacing, upgrading or reconfiguring to work with digital voice services.
Intruder alarms, fire alarms and monitored security systems may use telephone lines to communicate with monitoring centres.
Some older card payment terminals and electronic point-of-sale systems rely on analogue telephone connections. Check compatibility with your payment provider.
Telephone-based intercoms, door entry and access control systems may need a digital or alternative connection.
Some older security and monitoring equipment may use traditional lines to transmit alerts or communicate with remote systems.
Fax machines, lift emergency phones, telemetry equipment and other specialist devices should be checked with their suppliers.
Businesses will need to move to an appropriate digital service. The best option depends on your existing telephone system, internet connection, number of users and operational requirements.
Make and receive calls using an internet connection rather than a traditional telephone line. VoIP can support flexible working and calls across multiple devices.
Move your business phone system to a hosted platform. Staff can manage calls through compatible desk phones, computers and mobile devices.
Connect a compatible existing telephone system to a digital voice service, potentially allowing you to retain some of your existing telephone equipment.
Full Fibre and other suitable broadband services can provide the connectivity needed for modern digital communications.
Not every solution is suitable for every organisation. Your communications provider or telephone system specialist should assess your requirements before recommending a migration.
Businesses that continue relying on legacy services after the withdrawal date risk losing the functionality they depend on. This could mean interrupted telephone services, failed alarm communications, payment processing problems or disruption to essential business operations.
Openreach has confirmed that some eligible lines which have not migrated may be moved to an Emergency Voice Access (EVAc) service after the PSTN closure. This is a temporary, limited, last-resort voice service intended to maintain access to essential calls.
EVAc is not a full digital telephone service. It may not support features such as caller display, call forwarding or voicemail, and it should not be relied upon to support specialist equipment connected to your existing telephone line.
Openreach has also announced that eligible broadband connections may be preserved where technically possible when a line moves to EVAc. This is not guaranteed, does not apply to every connection and does not extend the PSTN closure deadline. Businesses should arrange a proper migration rather than rely on this temporary measure.
A planned migration gives you time to identify affected equipment, choose suitable alternatives and test everything before the old network is withdrawn.
Identify all telephone lines, numbers, ISDN services and devices that may depend on analogue connections. Include equipment across every office, site and building.
Speak to suppliers of alarms, lifts, payment terminals, door entry systems and other specialist equipment. Confirm whether upgrades, adapters or replacements are required.
Review your connectivity, telephone requirements and business processes. Work with your communications provider to select a suitable digital service.
Schedule the transition carefully. Test calls, telephone numbers, emergency arrangements and connected equipment before existing services are disconnected.
Traditional analogue telephones could often continue operating during a local power cut because the telephone line supplied power to the handset. Digital telephone services generally depend on powered broadband equipment, routers and network devices.
Consider how your business will maintain essential communications during a power failure or internet outage. Depending on your requirements, this may involve:
If your business supports vulnerable people or uses emergency equipment, make sure the relevant providers confirm that the replacement service will continue to operate safely during a power failure.
With the deadline approaching, early planning is essential. Complex equipment, multiple sites and specialist systems can take time to assess and migrate.
Allow enough time to identify services that need replacing and reduce the risk of unexpected downtime.
Check that essential equipment, customer communications and security systems continue to operate correctly.
Modern digital phone systems can support remote working, call routing and communication across multiple locations.
Compare options and budget for any necessary equipment, connectivity or service changes without rushing decisions.
The PSTN switch-off is an opportunity to review how your business communicates and ensure your technology is ready for the future.
Form IT Solutions can help you understand the IT and connectivity considerations involved in the transition, review your existing setup and plan the next steps for your business.
We can help you consider your network requirements, internet connectivity, business communications and the wider technology your organisation relies on.
Your communications provider and specialist equipment suppliers should confirm service migration arrangements and the compatibility of connected devices.
The Openreach PSTN network is scheduled to close on 31 January 2027. The wider industry is migrating traditional landline services to digital alternatives. Contact your communications provider to confirm your own migration arrangements.
Not necessarily. In many cases, existing telephone numbers can be retained when moving to a digital service. Confirm number-porting arrangements with your provider before making changes.
Some handsets may work with suitable adapters or compatible systems, while others may need replacing. Check with your telephone system provider before migrating.
They may be. Any device that communicates over an analogue telephone line should be checked with its manufacturer or service provider to confirm digital compatibility.
Usually, an internet outage will interrupt VoIP calls that depend on that connection. Businesses should consider resilience options such as a secondary connection, mobile failover and suitable backup arrangements.
Possibly. Some compatible telephone systems can connect to digital services using SIP trunking or other suitable interfaces. An assessment is needed to confirm compatibility.
No. EVAc is a temporary, limited emergency voice service for certain eligible lines. It is not intended to replace a properly planned digital migration or a full business telephone system.
This depends on the broadband technology and your provider’s arrangements. Openreach has announced measures to preserve some eligible broadband connections where technically possible, but this is not guaranteed. Speak to your provider to confirm your specific service.
For the latest information about the UK digital phone switchover, consult the organisations responsible for the network transition and telecommunications guidance.
Make sure your business is prepared for the move to digital communications. Contact Form IT Solutions to discuss your technology requirements and plan your next steps.
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