2027 Switch Off: BT Delays PSTN Termination

Major changes are afoot in the UK telecommunications industry. The UK’s landline network, which runs on copper wires, is beginning to degrade. In response, BT is migrating its customers from the analogue landline (PSTN) network to a system that uses digital landlines through a broadband connection. For BT, this digital landline or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service is called Digital Voice.

Once all customers are migrated, the PSTN network will be switched off.

But the termination of the PSTN network, originally scheduled for 2025, has now been delayed. The network is now scheduled for a 2027 switch off.

Why has BT moved to a 2027 switch off date?

BT has made this decision in order to protect some of its most vulnerable consumers.

It’s true that for most customers, the change won’t make much of a difference. In fact, many consumers have already made the switch.

However, some customers, typically older people, rely more heavily on landlines. These customers might not have a broadband connection and might not have a mobile phone, using their landline for all their calls. That’s a problem because, in a power outage, VoIP won’t work – leaving these customers with no way to call for help in an emergency.

A similar concern is that elderly customers might use personal alarms that run on a landline and won’t work on the digital landline service.

For all these reasons, BT has decided to move to a 2027 switch off date so they can take more time to ensure vulnerable people aren’t put in danger.

The PSTN charter

Older landline users who are worried about the switch from PSTN to VoIP should be reassured by a charter that UK telecoms companies signed in late 2023. In this charter, the companies made several promises to ensure that no-one was left vulnerable by the switch.

One key promise they made was that users of telecare, such as personal alarms for the elderly, won’t be moved to a digital landline unless it’s clear the consumer will still have a working alarm after the migration.

After the 2027 switch off, will all consumers use a digital landline through VoIP?

One important element of the new 2027 switch off plans is that not all customers will be moved to VoIP. Although everyone will be migrated from the PSTN network, which will no longer function, BT is going to implement an alternative for a small group of consumers.

This alternative is an interim measure for consumers who don’t have broadband and are using devices, like alarms or payment terminals, that still need a landline. BT calls this a “pre-digital phone line,” and it will be in use until either 2030, or until BT can successfully transition these users to VoIP if that happens earlier than 2030.

However, for most consumers, VoIP is definitely coming – and that’s a good thing. The copper PSTN network is worn out and is degrading more as time passes. VoIP is the way of the future.

If you’re a business or organisation looking at the termination of your landline service with the 2027 switch off, we can help you with your VoIP needs. Call us on 0330 094 0170 to learn how we could help you get started using a secure, cutting-edge VoIP connection.