What's happening
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) — the analogue copper network that has carried UK phone calls for over a century — is being retired, along with ISDN. Openreach's switch-off date is 31 January 2027, and new analogue lines are already no longer sold.
After the switch-off, voice calls run over broadband (VoIP / "digital voice"). For most office phones, that's an easy change. The risk is everything else plugged into a phone line.
What could stop working
- Intruder and fire alarms that dial out over a phone line
- Lift emergency phones and door entry systems
- Older card payment terminals that use a phone line
- Franking machines, fax machines and some EPOS equipment
- Telecare and monitoring devices
- CCTV or remote monitoring on analogue lines
Extra considerations for rural businesses
Digital phones depend on your broadband and your power. In rural Monmouthshire and the Forest of Dean, where broadband can be patchy and power cuts happen, think about battery backup for critical equipment and a 4G/5G backup connection for anything that must keep working.
Your checklist
- List every phone number and line your business has (check your bills).
- Identify every device connected to those lines.
- Contact alarm, lift and payment providers to confirm their digital-ready plan.
- Choose a digital phone system (often Microsoft Teams Phone or a hosted VoIP system).
- Plan battery backup and a backup connection for critical services.
- Port your existing numbers so customers can still reach you.
We help businesses across Monmouthshire make the move — get in touch or see networks & connectivity.
