The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) has been the backbone of UK telecommunications for nearly 150 years. But as technology continues to evolve, it’s time to phase it out.
By January 2027, the PSTN will be fully switched off — and for many businesses and consumers, the transition is already underway.
The switch-off isn’t just a technical milestone; it’s a significant shift that impacts how we work, communicate, and stay connected.
Whether you’re a business leader managing legacy systems or a household still relying on a landline, this blog will help you understand what’s happening, why it matters, solution options, how to prepare and next steps.
PSTN was revolutionary in its time, enabling reliable voice calls across copper wire networks. Later, it adapted to support dial-up internet and other services. But as digital services have advanced, PSTN has become increasingly costly, fragile, and outdated:
Today, IP-based services like fibre broadband and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) offer faster, more flexible, and more resilient alternatives. The switch-off allows providers to retire old systems and invest fully in these modern technologies.
Despite the looming deadline, a surprising number of UK businesses are still unprepared for the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch-off. Recent 2025 data reveal that:
With the switch-off fast approaching, the need for a smooth, supported transition has never been greater.
The impact of the PSTN switch-off will vary depending on the size and complexity of your organisation.
Small and Medium Businesses (SME) – For SMEs, the switch-off is a push to modernise. While there may be some initial costs, upgrading to digital brings long-term benefits such as enhanced functionality and lower operating expenses.
Large Businesses – Larger organisations with complex systems such as CRMs and call centres can use the switch-off to streamline operations, eliminate inefficiencies and future-proof their communications.
Public Sector Organisations – Hospitals, councils, and other public bodies must carefully plan the transition to avoid disruption to critical services. A well-managed move to digital can improve service delivery, data management, and cost efficiency.
VoIP – Voice Over Internet Protocol
As the PSTN phase-out accelerates, Voice over IP (VoIP) has become a leading alternative for modern business communications. By converting voice signals into digital data and transmitting them over the internet, VoIP offers a range of benefits:
SIP Trunking
SIP trunking delivers voice and communication services over the internet, using the same core technology as VoIP but with added flexibility. It’s ideal for businesses that want to retain part of their existing telephony setup while transitioning to a digital system with key benefits like:
Mobile Networks as a Landline Alternative
For some organisations, mobile networks provide a practical and flexible replacement for traditional landlines. With the rise of 4G and 5G, mobile voice services now offer reliable performance and the added advantage of mobility with key benefits including:
For businesses and consumers alike, the switch-off is a chance to modernise communications and stay ahead of disruption.
For Businesses
For Consumers
The PSTN switch-off marks the end of an era, but it opens the door to a faster, more resilient digital future. Whether you’re running a small or large business, the time to act is now.
At DRC, we’ve been helping organisations evolve their communications for over 30 years. Our team can assess and audit your current setup, design the right solution, and support you every step of the way.
Let’s talk — no jargon, no pressure, just straightforward advice to keep you connected.
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) has been the backbone of telecommunications for almost 150 years, enabling voice calls for residential and business use across the UK. However, with the rapid advancement of digital technologies, the time has come for the PSTN switch off, with the specific date set for December 2025.
The PSTN revolutionised communication by establishing a reliable and widespread network for voice calls. With the introduction of the internet in the 1990s, it was adapted to provide data connections over the same technology. However, the PSTN is essentially a network of copper wires, making it susceptible to degradation, interference, and even bad weather, affecting both voice and internet connections. Additionally, the telephone exchange equipment is reaching its end of life, becoming harder to source and costly to maintain.
The switch off of the traditional telephone network is primarily driven by the ageing technology and technological advancements in telecommunications. The PSTN has become costly to maintain, meaning the closure gives communications providers the opportunity to retire outdated infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs, and focus on delivering modern services.
While we’ve come a long way since dial-up internet, some still struggle with slow internet connections, especially in the age of hybrid working and video streaming. Full fibre broadband is here to change this. Instead of copper wires, Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) uses fibre optic cables to provide internet services, making it much more robust than the legacy network and offering speeds of up to 1Gbps. The full fibre network is currently being rolled out across the UK, with over 10.4 million premises able to access ultrafast broadband as of June 2023.
For those unable to access FTTP right now, SOGEA is the best option for future-proof connectivity. Using a combination of copper and fibre technology, SOGEA provides speeds of up to 80Mbps with no need for a landline.
For those who still require telephony, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is here. VoIP uses a reliable data connection, such as FTTP, to carry voice communications, meaning phone calls are no longer run over the PSTN but via the internet instead.
The switch off has significant implications for businesses that rely on traditional telephone services. Organisations must transition to IP-based solutions to ensure uninterrupted voice communication. This shift presents opportunities for businesses to adopt Unified Communications (UC) solutions with advanced features like video conferencing, collaboration, and integration with other digital systems. However, it also necessitates infrastructure upgrades and careful planning to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to operations.
Any businesses using services such as payment terminals, alarm systems, and lift lines, connected via a landline, will need to review these services with their provider and ensure they have an IP-based alternative in place when the telephony network is switched off.
For consumers, the closure of the network brings both challenges and benefits. Traditional landline phones will become obsolete, and consumers still needing a fixed phone will need to ensure they have a fibre-based broadband connection and VoIP-compatible handset.
Now you know your options for replacing your broadband and voice services, it’s worth exploring how mobile can benefit both businesses and consumers in an All-IP world.
It’s not only the fixed telephony network that is going through significant changes. The UK Mobile networks are currently retiring the 3G data networks and focusing on faster 4G and 5G rollouts. These advances in mobile networks enable users to access various communication apps and services that offer voice and video calling capabilities, further encouraging people to use mobile phones as their primary means of communication as consumers in particular move away from PSTN telephony.
The PSTN switch off marks the end of an era in telecommunications, but it’s also the beginning of a new digital future. While it poses challenges for businesses and consumers, it also opens up new possibilities with advanced digital communication technologies. It’s important you jump onboard and embrace this change, or you could lose service.
As the PSTN switch off approaches, it’s crucial to partner with a communications provider like DRC who has the experience to guide you through this transition. With over 30 years of experience, and deep relationships with our existing customers who already trust us to do a great job for them, the DRC team is eager to talk to you. Call us on 01256 895895 or email us at [email protected] for some no-obligation, friendly, straight-talking advice.
By integrating these recommendations into the article, you can provide a comprehensive and informative resource for readers, ensuring they are well-informed about the PSTN switch off and its implications.
The PSTN switch off is not just a technical transition; it represents a broader shift in the telecommunications landscape. As we move towards a more digital-centric world, the importance of reliable, high-speed internet connections becomes paramount. This transition will pave the way for more innovative communication solutions, from advanced video conferencing tools to IoT (Internet of Things) integrations that will redefine how businesses operate and how consumers interact with technology.
For businesses, the switch off serves as a reminder to stay ahead of the curve. It’s essential to:
For consumers, the switch off is an opportunity to embrace more advanced and reliable communication solutions. It’s a chance to:
The PSTN switch off is more than just the end of an era; it’s the beginning of a new chapter in the world of telecommunications. By understanding the implications, preparing in advance, and embracing the digital future, both businesses and consumers can ensure they not only adapt but thrive in this new landscape.
For more insights and guidance on the PSTN switch off and how it might impact you, reach out to the experts at DRC. With decades of experience in the field, we’re here to help you navigate this significant transition with confidence.
