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Openreach retires the copper phone network and ISDN on 31 January 2027. Here is what is affected and how to move your business lines without losing your numbers.
The UK's traditional phone network, known as the PSTN, is being retired along with ISDN, the digital lines many business phone systems still use. After 31 January 2027 these lines stop working, and calls need to run over an internet connection instead.
It is not only phones. Any equipment that uses a phone line to connect needs a new way to do so, so the switch off is a good moment to check everything your business has plugged into one.
Traditional business lines and ISDN phone systems stop working when the old network is retired.
Older card machines that connect through a phone line will need an internet or mobile connection instead.
Intruder and fire alarms or monitored CCTV that dial out over a phone line may need upgrading.
Emergency phones in lifts and door entry systems often still rely on an analogue line.
Anything that sends data over a phone line, such as fax or older franking machines, is affected too.
Make a note of each phone line and anything plugged into one, including alarms, card machines, lift phones and door entry.
Ask the companies that provide your alarms, card machines and lift lines how they will work after the switch off.
Move your business numbers to a VoIP phone system so calls keep coming in on the numbers your customers already know.