Are You Ready For The PSTN Shutdown?
BT is shutting down the copper phone network by January 2027, putting landlines, alarms, and fax machines at risk. Businesses still on PSTN must upgrade to VoIP now or face service loss. Find out what’s at stake and how to act before it’s too late.
The PSTN Shutdown: What Every UK Business Must Know Before 2027
In January 2027, a change is coming to the UK’s communications infrastructure that will affect millions, and many are still unaware of its impending arrival.
BT will permanently switch off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), marking the end of traditional copper phone lines across the UK. This transition, years in the making, is part of a nationwide move towards full-fibre and digital voice services. However, for businesses, particularly those that have yet to modernise their telephony systems, the implications are far from trivial.
In this article, we explain what the PSTN shutdown means, why it matters to you, and what steps businesses should take now to avoid disruption.
What is the PSTN — and Why Is It Being Shut Down?
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the legacy system that has powered analogue voice calls for decades. It relies on copper wire infrastructure to transmit voice and data, forming the basis of most landline telephone services since the early 20th century.
But copper’s time is up. As BT Openreach explained, maintaining the ageing PSTN network has become increasingly unsustainable. Not only is it expensive to operate, but it also can’t keep pace with modern communication needs, such as high-speed internet, cloud-based services, and integrated digital platforms.
To make way for a faster, more efficient future, BT is transitioning all customers to Internet Protocol (IP)-based services, with a complete shutdown of PSTN scheduled for January 2027.
This isn’t a small technical change — it’s a national infrastructure shift.
What Will Happen in 2027?
By January 2027, all traditional copper-based phone lines will be disconnected. This means any services still operating on PSTN infrastructure will cease to work.
This includes:
Analogue landline phones
Alarm systems connected via copper lines
Fax machines
Lift emergency phones
Door entry systems
EPOS and payment terminals connected via PSTN
ADSL and FTTC broadband connections
If your business is still using any of these systems, you risk losing critical communication functions when the shutdown occurs.
Who’s Affected?
In short: everyone still relying on copper infrastructure.
BT began phasing out PSTN services in 2023, with no new PSTN-based products being sold after September of that year. But the real impact comes in 2025, when all services using PSTN will enter the final phase-out, leading to full disconnection by January 2027.
This affects:
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using legacy phone systems
Large organisations with outdated branch infrastructure
Businesses in rural areas that haven’t upgraded to digital
Any organisation using PSTN-reliant devices
As BT puts it, this is a universal shift. Unless you’re already using VoIP (Voice over IP) or mobile-based communications, you’re likely affected.
Why It Matters: More Than Just Phones
One of the most overlooked elements of the PSTN switch-off is the wider dependency businesses have on copper-based services.
While many firms have upgraded their main phone lines, they may still use analogue lines for:
Fire and security alarms
Building access systems
Payment processing (especially in retail and hospitality)
Lift alarms and call buttons
Fax machines (still used in medical and legal sectors)
If these aren’t upgraded to IP-compatible alternatives, they will stop working.
What Are the Alternatives?
The UK telecoms industry is transitioning to All-IP networks, where all voice and data communication happens over the internet.
Two major solutions replace PSTN:
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol):
Enables voice calls over broadband, rather than copper lines. Modern VoIP systems are feature-rich, scalable, and often more cost-effective than traditional phone systems.
SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access):
A new type of broadband that doesn’t require a phone line. Ideal for businesses needing internet without bundled voice services.
To future-proof your business, you’ll likely need:
A VoIP-compatible phone system
IP-ready devices (or adapters for existing hardware)
Reliable full-fibre or SoGEA broadband
What Are the Risks of Doing Nothing?
The consequences of not acting could be severe:
Loss of phone service: You may lose the ability to make and receive calls, including those associated with important customer numbers.
Number loss: If not ported correctly, long-standing business numbers may be unrecoverable.
Non-functioning devices: EPOS, alarms, lifts, and other systems may stop working without warning.
Customer disruption: Missed calls = lost business. The reputational impact of being unreachable can’t be overstated.
Non-compliance: Some sectors may face insurance or safety compliance issues if emergency systems (like lift lines or fire alarms) fail due to unupgraded lines.
What Does BT Recommend?
BT and Openreach have been clear: businesses need to act now.
According to BT’s published guidance:
“From 2025, businesses will no longer be able to purchase systems reliant on the old PSTN. By 2027, these systems will no longer be functional. Businesses are encouraged to review their infrastructure and transition to IP-based services well before the deadline.”
BT has launched several awareness campaigns to inform businesses and consumers alike; however, research suggests that many SMEs are still unaware of the urgency.
Industry Response: Growing Concern Across Sectors
The PSTN shutdown isn’t just a telco issue — it’s become a broader business risk.
According to a recent report by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), nearly 40% of UK SMEs are unaware of the shutdown and its implications. For sectors such as retail, healthcare, and law, the potential for disruption is especially high.
The FSB also warns that some rural businesses may face challenges due to limited access to full-fibre broadband — an issue still being addressed by the government’s “Project Gigabit” programme.
What Should Businesses Do Now?
Check your systems.
Review all telecoms services and related equipment. Make a list of every device connected to a landline — not just your desk phones.
Talk to your providers.
Contact your telecoms and equipment vendors. Ask whether your systems are PSTN-dependent and whether they’re compatible with IP networks.
Plan a phased migration.
Avoid the rush. Upgrading now means you’ll have better access to engineers, deals, and support. Leaving it to 2026 could mean long waits and expensive downtime.
Port your numbers.
If your landline number is tied to your brand or customer base, port it to a VoIP service well in advance to ensure continuity.
Test everything.
After migration, run thorough tests — especially for alarms and emergency systems.
What About Costs?
Switching from PSTN to IP services can come with some upfront costs, particularly for hardware upgrades or installation of full-fibre broadband.
However, many businesses find that VoIP services are actually cheaper over time, thanks to lower monthly rates, no line rental, and scalable pricing.
It’s also worth noting that delaying the upgrade may result in higher costs later, especially as demand increases closer to the deadline.
Final Thoughts
The PSTN switch-off is a milestone in the UK’s digital evolution — but for businesses, it’s a looming deadline that cannot be ignored.
With less than two years to go, now is the time to check, plan, and act. Waiting until 2026 could mean losing access to vital services, paying more in a last-minute rush, or being left behind as the country moves forward.
Free Support From Vir2ue
If you’re unsure whether your systems are PSTN-dependent or want help planning your migration, Vir2ue offers a free survey to assess your current setup.
We’ll help you:
Identify affected systems
Recommend the most efficient upgrades
Ensure your numbers and services are safely transitioned
Contact us today — before the lines go dead.