UK Landline Switch-Off: What Happens on 31 January 2027 and What to Do

Openreach says the UK's traditional phone network, the PSTN, will be retired by 31 January 2027, less than three months from now. Landlines will move to digital voice, which runs over a broadband connection. Openreach says the deadline is "locked". Here is who is affected, what to check and what to ask your provider.

What is the UK landline switch-off?

The PSTN is the copper phone network behind traditional landlines. Openreach's February 2026 release says about 2.8 million lines were still on it, more than 500,000 of them at business premises. Its notes list ISDN and ADSL and FTTC services among those affected, so ask your provider what changes for your own broadband.

Do you need to do anything?

Openreach's advice is: "If you are unsure, contact your service provider; do not assume you are safe." It also says: "If your provider hasn't contacted you, you need to ask why." Switching is arranged through your phone and broadband provider, not Openreach directly.

What about telecare, alarms and other equipment?

Openreach says its Prove Telecare service has been available nationwide since October 2025. Engineers work with alarm receiving centres, and migrations go ahead only when devices are compatible. If a device is not, the engineer moves the phone and device back to copper and the providers arrange a replacement.

For businesses, Openreach lists fire and burglar alarms, payment terminals, lift lines and CCTV as equipment that may rely on the old network. Its three steps are Review, Test and Switch, and it offers free equipment testing at its test labs.

What happens in a power cut?

A digital landline needs power at home, so it will not work in a power cut unless you have a backup. Ofcom's guidance, as we understand it, requires providers to offer at least one solution, such as a battery unit, that keeps emergency calls working for at least an hour, free for customers who depend on their landline and have no working mobile signal. Ask your provider what it will fit for you.

What we could not confirm

Ofcom's pages would not load for us, so the power-cut rules above come from search-result summaries of Ofcom's guidance, and you should check them on ofcom.org.uk. The 2.8 million figure dates from February 2026 and will have fallen since. We could not confirm what happens to lines not moved by the deadline. Reports of a different date, such as December 2026, did not come from Openreach.

Summary

Openreach says the UK's copper phone network will be retired by 31 January 2027, and landlines move to digital voice over broadband. Contact your provider rather than assuming you are safe, ask what backup it will fit for power cuts and check telecare equipment. Ofcom's pages did not load for us, so verify the power-cut rules at ofcom.org.uk.

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