Are You Ready for the Analogue Switch Off?

The UK’s ISDN and PSTN network will switch off at the start of 2027 and traditional landlines are heading to the cloud.

Whilst 2027 has been marked as the end of the analogue switch off, that doesn’t mean your service won’t be retired sooner.

Openreach are actively working through putting the exchanges of ISDN and PSTN into a phase known as Stop Sell, where you can no longer make any changes or upgrades to the existing service you have. Essentially, once your service is put into this ‘Stop Sell’ phase, it becomes static. The planned switch off has been delayed until January 31st 2027, giving businesses and households more time to prepare for the transition to a digital phone system.

However, it’s important to remember that while this delay offers some respite, the PSTN is nearing the end of its life. Most businesses and individuals should still aim to switch to a new service by December 2025 to avoid disruption. Given the phased approach, some other legacy services will continue to cease prior to the date of January 31st 2027, such as all remaining EFM circuits. By 2027, all exchanges will be moved into their End of Life and anyone still operating on these networks will find their phone line or broadband service cut off. If you have any questions about the switch off, please speak to your account manager.

It’s Time to Modernise

The ISDN and PSTN have been the UK’s primary communication networks for decades.

Once revolutionary, these ageing infrastructures are now severely out of date, relying on degrading copper telephone lines which can no longer compete with more advanced cloud solutions.

To embrace a fully digital future, Openreach have announced the Switch Off.

As part of the Switch Off, any phone lines, broadband and fax, alarm and lift lines connected to the End of Life networks will be retired.

Why the Delay?
The decision to postpone the switch off was made due to the technological challenges involved in upgrading the entire network. This additional time will allow for a smoother transition, particularly for vulnerable customers.
Once revolutionary, these ageing infrastructures are now severely out of date, relying on degrading copper telephone lines which can no longer compete with more advanced cloud solutions.