Understanding the PSTN Switch Off: What It Means for You and How to Prepare

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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.

Why the PSTN Is Being Switched Off

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 But as digital services have advanced, PSTN has become increasingly costly, fragile, and outdated:

  • Copper infrastructure is vulnerable to interference and weather
  • Exchange equipment is ageing and hard to maintain
  • It lacks the capacity to meet modern bandwidth and reliability demands

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.

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Microsoft

What’s Already Happening?

  • The move was delayed last year, with the final date slipping from December 2025 to January 2027.   Between now and January 2027 customers will be migrated to new digital technology using an internet connection. 
  • Stop-Sell in Place – Since September 2023, you can no longer order new PSTN-based services (e.g. analogue lines or ISDN).
  • While many may not realise it, the PSTN switch-off impacts more than just phones and broadband — it also affects systems like card payment terminals, CCTV, security alarms, door entry, fax machines, certain broadband set-ups and lift emergency lines.
  • The rollout is already underway, with the North West and London having switched to Digital Voice last year and other regions are set to follow soon.

Don’t get Caught out – Why UK businesses can’t afford to ignore the switch-off

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:

  • 88% of UK businesses are still connected to it
  • Over 50% expect disruption if it were switched off today
  • Many SME’s aren’t ready for the migration process and are in need of a reliable partner

With the switch-off fast approaching, the need for a smooth, supported transition has never been greater.

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Microsoft

Understanding the Business Impact of the PSTN Shutdown

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.

From Analogue to Digital: Your Migration Options

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:

  • Cost Savings – VoIP can dramatically cut phone bills, especially for long-distance and international calls.
  • Flexibility & Scalability – VoIP systems are easy to scale and integrate with other digital tools like video conferencing, CRM platforms, and instant messaging.
  • Mobility & Remote Access – With VoIP, employees can make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection — ideal for remote work and flexible working environments.
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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:

  • Improved Reliability – SIP trunking includes built-in redundancy and failover options, so calls are automatically rerouted if one connection fails — ensuring consistent service.
  • Unified Communications – SIP can combine voice, video, and data into a single, streamlined solution, helping reduce complexity and overall communication costs.
  • Advanced Features – From call forwarding and auto-attendants to voicemail-to-email, SIP supports a wide range of smart features to enhance business communications.

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:

  • Mobility & Flexibility – Mobile solutions are ideal for businesses with field teams, remote workers, or multiple locations — keeping everyone connected without relying on fixed lines.
  • Reliable Connectivity – Modern mobile networks can deliver voice quality on par with traditional services, especially in areas where fixed-line infrastructure is limited or unavailable.
  • Quick Deployment – Mobile voice and data services can be set up rapidly, making them a great fit for growing businesses or temporary sites.
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What Needs to be Done Now: Preparing for the PSTN Switch Off

For businesses and consumers alike, the switch-off is a chance to modernise communications and stay ahead of disruption.

For Businesses

  • Audit Your Systems: Identify everything that still relies on PSTN — including phone systems, alarm lines, lift lines, payment terminals, and fax machines.
  • Plan and Budget: Replacing legacy systems can require upfront investment. Planning early avoids downtime and budget shocks.
  • Staff Training: Make sure your team understands new systems and can use them effectively.
  • Adopt Unified Communications: Explore platforms that combine voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools to boost efficiency.

For Consumers

  • Upgrade Home Broadband: Fibre or SOGEA connections are essential for VoIP and modern digital services.
  • Replace Landlines with VoIP: If you still need a home phone, switch to an internet-enabled handset or adapter.
  • Explore Digital Tools: Embrace modern apps and services like WhatsApp, Zoom, and smart home devices that improve connectivity and convenience.

What to Consider When Choosing a Digital Telephony Solution

Partner With Confidence: Make the Move with DRC

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 Era: Leading up to the Switch Off

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 All-IP Future: Beyond the PSTN Switch Off Dates

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.

Implications of the PSTN Switch Off for Businesses

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.

Implications for Consumers

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.

Emerging Alternatives

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.

Make the Move

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.

Choose the Right Partner

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.

FAQ Section

  • What happens to my existing landline number after the switch off? Your existing number can be ported to a VoIP service, ensuring continuity.
  • How do I know if my business is ready for the switch off? Consult with your telecommunications provider to assess your current infrastructure and determine the necessary upgrades.

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 Broader Impact on the Telecommunications Landscape

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.

Preparing for the Digital Future

For businesses, the switch off serves as a reminder to stay ahead of the curve. It’s essential to:

  • Audit Current Systems: Understand what systems and services currently rely on PSTN. This includes not just phone systems but also fax machines, alarm systems, and other devices.
  • Training and Awareness: Ensure that staff are aware of the upcoming changes and are trained on any new systems or technologies that will be introduced.
  • Budgeting: Transitioning to new systems may involve initial costs. It’s crucial to budget for these changes to ensure a smooth transition without financial strain.

For consumers, the switch off is an opportunity to embrace more advanced and reliable communication solutions. It’s a chance to:

  • Upgrade Home Systems: Consider upgrading to fibre broadband if you haven’t already. This will ensure a faster and more reliable internet connection, which will be essential for VoIP and other digital services.
  • Explore New Communication Tools: With the rise of digital communication platforms, there’s a wealth of options available, from video calling apps to digital assistants.

Conclusion

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.