Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 2 hrs ago
Openreach says UK landline network will switch off on January 31, 2027
Openreach plans to retire the UK’s old landline network on January 31, 2027, and says the deadline will not be postponed.
The change affects customers still using the copper-based public telephone network, including businesses and households.
Phone lines and connected equipment could be disrupted, including payment terminals, security alarms and personal care alarms.
The switch is part of a wider move to digital services and fibre-optic networks; customers who keep a landline will generally connect it through a broadband router.
Customers should contact their provider soon to check what change they need, while people without a fibre connection may be offered a service that lets them keep using their existing phone line.
Openreach has already delayed the switch once, after concerns about vulnerable people who rely on care alarms.
Providers are being urged to give practical help, especially to older or vulnerable customers who may need support to stay connected.
Openreach says the UK’s legacy landline network will be switched off on January 31, 2027, and the deadline will not be postponed.
Customers still using connections on the public switched telephone network could face disruption when the service is retired.
The change may affect systems that use the network, including payment terminals, alarms and personal care alarms.
People who still want a landline will be able to connect a phone to a broadband router to use Digital Voice.
Age UK and a telecoms analyst say providers should keep helping customers, particularly older and vulnerable people who rely on landlines or care alarms.
- Who
- Openreach, BT Group’s infrastructure arm, says it will switch off the network. Customers and businesses still using it may be affected.
- What
- The legacy public switched telephone network will be retired. The deadline is January 31, 2027.
- When
- January 31, 2027.
- Where
- Across the UK.
- Why
- The switch-off is part of a wider plan to move the UK to all-digital, high-speed networks using fibre-optic infrastructure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Openreach has been planning to retire the legacy phone network.
Openreach pushed back the deadline at least once after the government asked providers not to force vulnerable TeleCare users to switch before fixes were in place.
Openreach sent a warning to communications providers using its network, saying the deadline would not be postponed.
Openreach plans to retire the legacy public switched telephone network.
- Switch-off date
- January 31, 2027
- Affected network
- Public switched telephone network (PSTN)
- Potentially affected systems
- Point-of-sale terminals, fire and security alarms, and personal care alarms
- Alternative for landline users
- Connect a phone to a broadband router for Digital Voice
- Possible option without fibre
- SOTAP for Analog, with equipment installed in the local telephone exchange
What people are saying
Openreach and all providers need to coordinate a much more cohesive campaign that reaches customers directly
nobody who relies on their landline or TeleCare should be left behind
Businesses and organizations that delay action are making things harder for themselves