The UK Landline Switch-Off

BT Announces the PSTN Switch-Off

BT announces its intention to retire the Public Switched Telephone Network by 2025, signalling the beginning of the UK's transition away from copper-based voice services. The industry begins planning the migration to all-IP networks.

Early Trials and Pilot Exchanges

BT begins trialling Digital Voice services with customers in selected areas. Salisbury becomes the first UK exchange to go fully digital. These early trials help identify challenges — particularly around vulnerable customers, alarm systems, and telecare devices — leading to additional safeguards being put in place.

Wider Rollout Begins — Stop Sell Introduced

Openreach introduces a "stop sell" on new traditional copper voice line orders in areas where Digital Voice is available — meaning new customers can no longer sign up for the old system. The wider migration programme accelerates, with more exchanges being transitioned to all-IP services across the UK.

Original Target Date — Now Extended

BT's original target for completing the PSTN switch-off was the end of 2025. This deadline was revised and extended to provide more time to support vulnerable customers and ensure a smoother transition across all areas. The migration programme continues actively — many areas have already been switched, and the process is ongoing throughout 2025 and 2026.

Final Completion Target — All Copper Voice Lines Retired

The current target for full completion of the UK PSTN switch-off is 2027. By this point every traditional copper voice line in the UK will have been retired and replaced with a VoIP-based Digital Voice service. If you have not yet transitioned by the time the switch-off reaches your area, your telephone service will simply stop working until you do.

Households With a Traditional Landline Phone

If you currently have a landline telephone number provided by BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Virgin Media, or any other UK provider — and you make or receive calls on it — your service will need to migrate to VoIP Digital Voice before the switch-off reaches your area.

Households on ADSL or FTTC Broadband

Even if you never use your landline for calls, if your broadband connection comes into your home over the copper telephone network — which is the case for ADSL and most FTTC connections — the switch-off will still affect your infrastructure. As Openreach retires the copper network in your area, your broadband service will need to migrate to a non-copper alternative.

Small Businesses and Home Workers

Small businesses still using traditional phone lines — including ISDN lines, analogue phone systems, and copper-based broadband — will all be affected. Businesses that rely heavily on telephone communications, payment terminals, door entry systems, or fax machines connected to the copper network face the most significant impact and need to plan early.

Households With Alarm Systems or Telecare Devices

Many home security alarm systems, personal alarm pendants, fall detectors, and telecare monitoring devices communicate over the copper telephone network. These devices will stop working when the copper line is retired if they have not been updated or replaced with IP-compatible alternatives.

Fax Machines, Payment Terminals & Other Connected Devices

Fax machines, older card payment terminals, door entry systems, lift emergency phones, and some CCTV systems all communicate over the copper telephone network. Every one of these devices will be affected when the copper line is retired — many will simply stop functioning without replacement or upgrade.

Audit every device connected to a phone line

List every device in your business that uses a telephone line — desk phones, fax machines, card payment terminals, door entry systems, EPOS systems, CCTV diallers, lift emergency phones, and fire alarm systems. Each one needs assessing.

Choose a VoIP phone system provider

Research hosted VoIP or cloud PBX solutions suitable for your business size. Key factors to consider include number of users, call handling features, integration with your existing CRM or business tools, contract flexibility, and UK-based support availability.

Assess your broadband capacity

Each simultaneous VoIP call requires approximately 100Kbps of upload bandwidth. If your business makes multiple concurrent calls, ensure your broadband upload speed can handle the load without affecting other business operations. Consider upgrading to a dedicated business broadband or leased line if necessary.

Contact your payment terminal provider early

Card payment terminals that communicate over phone lines need replacing with IP or 4G-enabled alternatives. Contact your payment provider well in advance — lead times for replacements can be several weeks and operating without a payment terminal is not an option for most businesses.

Plan your number porting

Your existing business telephone numbers can almost always be transferred — or ported — to your new VoIP system. Confirm this with your chosen VoIP provider before signing any contracts. Number porting can take several days so plan the timing carefully to avoid any gap in service.

Train your team and test before go-live

Before switching fully to VoIP, run parallel testing with your new system while keeping the old one active. Train all staff on the new handsets and features. Identify a go-live date that avoids your busiest trading periods to minimise any disruption risk.

Scenario 1 — You Want to Keep Using a Physical Phone Handset

This is the most common scenario for households. You want to keep a physical phone on the side table or in the kitchen — just as you always have — but it needs to work over VoIP instead of the copper line.

Scenario 2 — You Are Happy to Use an App Instead of a Physical Phone

If you are comfortable using a smartphone or computer for calls — or already use services like WhatsApp or FaceTime — a softphone app is the most flexible and often lowest cost solution. Your phone number can ring through to an app on your mobile or laptop.

Scenario 3 — You Run a Small Business With Multiple Phone Lines

Businesses with multiple users, extensions, and call handling requirements need a more comprehensive VoIP solution. The right choice depends on the size of your team, your call volumes, and how much flexibility you need.

Does your router have a phone port?

Many newer provider-supplied routers include a built-in telephone port — if yours does, your existing handset may simply plug straight in with no additional equipment needed. Check the back of your router for a port labelled Phone, Tel, or with a handset symbol.

Minimum broadband speed for VoIP

A single VoIP call requires as little as 100Kbps of bandwidth — well within reach of any broadband connection above 1Mbps. However for reliable call quality with no dropouts, a stable connection of at least 10Mbps download and 2Mbps upload is recommended.

Battery backup for your router

Unlike copper landlines, VoIP phones stop working if your router loses power. A small UPS — Uninterruptible Power Supply — can keep your router running for several hours during a power outage. Costs from around £30–£80 and is worth considering if you rely heavily on your home phone.