When people hear about the 2027 phone switch-off, they think about their landline handset. That is only part of the story. The old copper network quietly powers a lot more than phones, and those other devices are the ones that catch businesses out.
By December 2027, BT and Openreach are switching off the analogue copper network for good. Anything that relies on that line needs to move to a digital alternative. Here is what to look for on your premises.
Alarm systems
Plenty of intruder alarms and fire alarms use the phone line to dial out to a monitoring centre. If the line goes and the alarm has not been moved to a digital connection, that link can stop working. It is worth asking your alarm provider directly whether your system uses the phone line and what they recommend.
Lifts
Most lifts have an emergency phone inside that connects to a help line if someone gets stuck. That emergency phone often runs over the old copper line. This is a safety issue, not just a convenience one, so it is one of the first things to check if your building has a lift.
Door entry and intercom systems
Buzzer and intercom systems that let visitors call up to reception or unlock a door can use the phone line too. If you rely on one to control access to your building, confirm how it connects before the line is retired.
Card payment machines
Some older card terminals dial out over the phone line to authorise payments. If yours does, it needs to move to a broadband or mobile connection so you can keep taking card payments without interruption.
Other bits and pieces
It is also worth checking any CCTV that phones home over a line, fax machines still in use, and any monitoring or metering equipment that dials out. If it plugs into a phone socket, put it on the list.
What to do about it
You do not need to panic, you just need a list. Walk round your premises and note everything connected to a phone socket. For each device, ask the supplier who looks after it what the digital replacement or upgrade looks like. Some will move across easily, others may need a small change. Doing this now, while there is time, is far better than finding out on the day the line goes dead.
Your phones themselves are the simplest part. A cloud phone system moves them off the copper line entirely, keeps your existing number, and runs over your broadband on apps or desk handsets.
We can help you make sense of it
Virtual Voice Office moves your business phones to a modern cloud system with no engineer visit and no lost numbers. We are North East based, with real UK support from Sunderland. If you are not sure what is connected to your line or where to start, give us a ring and we will help you work it out.
0191 543 3488 | sales@virtualvoice.uk | virtualvoice.uk
