Landline Switch Off 2027: What You Need to Do
Written by Hannah Hood, on . Last updated The UK landline switch off 2027 deadline is approaching, but many households still don’t realise it affects them.
In fact, Phonely’s January 2026 survey found that 58.7% of people were unaware the UK’s old copper phone network is being switched off.
On 31 January 2027, traditional landlines that plug directly into the wall socket will stop working unless they move to a digital service.
If you already use broadband, the change is usually straightforward. But if you’re unsure what Digital Voice means, whether your current phone will still work, or what happens in a power cut, you’re not alone.
This guide explains exactly what’s changing, who it affects, and what you need to do next, in plain English.
Does the Landline Switch Off Affect Me?
You will probably need to switch to a digital landline if:
- Your phone plugs directly into the wall socket
- You have a traditional BT-style landline
- You use a copper landline without broadband
- You use an older ISDN business phone system
You may already be switched if:
- Your phone plugs into your broadband router
- Your provider mentions “Digital Voice” or “VoIP”
- You recently upgraded your broadband package
If you’re still unsure, check where your phone connects. That usually tells you immediately whether your service still uses the old copper network.
When Is the Landline Switch Off 2027 Happening in the UK?
The UK landline switch off will take place on 31 January 2027.
From that date:
- The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) will be permanently retired
- ISDN business lines will no longer operate
- Copper-based analogue phone services will stop working
This is a nationwide infrastructure change led by Openreach and supported by all major providers including BT, Sky, EE and others.
The key point is simple: traditional copper landlines are being permanently retired.
What Is Being Switched Off in 2027?
The internet is not being switched off.
What’s changing is the old copper telephone network that traditional landlines use.
For decades, home phones worked through wall sockets connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). That system is now ageing, expensive to maintain, and no longer suitable for modern communications.
Instead, landline calls are moving online using broadband connections, often called Digital Voice or VoIP.
In simple terms:
Old setup:
Phone plugs into wall socket
New setup:
Phone plugs into broadband router
Most people will still use a normal-looking home phone. The main difference is how the call travels behind the scenes.
Will My Phone Stop Working After the Landline Switch Off 2027?
This is the most common question.
Your landline WILL stop working if:
- Your phone plugs directly into the wall socket
- You do not have broadband
- You are using an analogue-only copper service
- You rely on ISDN lines
Your landline will CONTINUE working if:
- It connects through your broadband router
- You already use Digital Voice or VoIP
- Your provider has migrated your service
If you’re unsure, check where your handset connects. That alone usually gives you the answer.
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See plans & pricesDiscover featuresWhat Happens Before the Landline Switch Off 2027?
The landline switch off 2027 is not a sudden overnight event. The transition is already underway.
2024–2025
- Stop-sell rules expand across the UK
- New copper lines become restricted in many areas
- Providers begin migrating customers in phases
2026
- Demand for installations increases
- Engineer availability becomes tighter
- Businesses delaying migration may face scheduling pressure
January 2027
- Copper network permanently decommissioned
- Analogue dial tone removed
Waiting until late 2026 increases the risk of installation backlogs.
What Do Homeowners Need to Do Now?
For most residential users, the process is simple.
Step 1: Check How Your Phone Connects:
If it plugs into the wall socket, you will need to move to a digital landline service.
Step 2: Confirm You Have Broadband:
Digital landlines run over an internet connection. Fibre, ADSL and even satellite broadband can work.
Step 3: Compare Digital Landline Providers:
Not all providers structure pricing or service in the same way.
If you’re researching options, see our guide to the Best Digital Landline UK Providers in the UK. You may also want to compare how services differ between major providers such as BT, EE and Sky. For example, you can read our detailed Phonely vs BT Digital Voice comparison to see how digital landline services compare in features, setup and pricing.
If you’re looking for lower-cost options, you may also want to read our guide to landline-only deals for pensioners and older households.
Step 4: Don’t Leave It Until the Last Minute:
You do not need to panic or switch immediately. But leaving everything until late 2026 could make things more stressful than they need to be.
As the January 2027 deadline gets closer, more households will begin switching at the same time. Planning ahead gives you time to:
- compare providers calmly
- test your new setup properly
- arrange number transfers without pressure
- make sure any telecare devices continue working
For most homes, the actual switch is straightforward once everything is in place.
Will I Lose My Phone Number?
In most cases, no.
You can keep your existing number by porting it to your new digital provider.
Important points:
- Do not cancel your old service before porting
- Porting usually takes 7–14 days
- Most UK geographic numbers are transferable
Your number moves with you, it does not disappear.
What About Elderly Users and Telecare Systems?
This is a key concern for many families.
Some older copper lines carried their own power supply. Digital landlines rely on electricity to power your router.
If you or a family member relies on:
- Care pendants
- Emergency alarm systems
- Telecare monitoring
You should:
- Inform your provider
- Confirm compatibility
- Discuss battery backup options
Most modern systems can be adapted, but it is important to plan ahead.
What Happens in a Power Cut?
Traditional copper landlines often continued working during a power outage because they carried their own power. Digital landlines do not.
Protect your landline from scams and nuisance calls.
CallGuard blocks suspicious numbers automatically and helps keep vulnerable loved ones safer.
View CallGuard plansIf your broadband router loses power, your phone service will stop unless you have a battery backup system.
If you rely on a landline for emergencies, medical equipment, telecare devices, or because mobile signal is poor in your area, tell your provider before switching.
Some vulnerable customers may qualify for free battery backup support depending on their circumstances.
If you’re helping an older parent or relative prepare for the switch, it’s worth checking:
- whether they have mobile coverage
- whether they use a care alarm
- whether they know how to restart the router if needed
For more detailed advice, read our guide: Digital Landlines in a Power Cut: What Still Works and What Backup You May Need
What If I Live in a Rural Area?
Many rural households worry that broadband limitations will make the transition difficult.
In reality, several broadband types can support digital landlines:
- Fibre broadband
- ADSL
- Fixed wireless
Some rural households now use satellite broadband services such as Starlink broadband, which can support digital landline services in areas with poor traditional infrastructure.
As long as you have a stable internet connection, digital landlines can usually work reliably.
What Do Businesses Need to Do Before the Landline Switch Off 2027?
Many businesses still use phone systems connected to the old copper network, including analogue lines, ISDN systems, fax machines and some card payment terminals. These will stop working after January 2027.
The good news is that most businesses can switch gradually with minimal disruption.
What businesses should do now
- Check whether your phones still rely on copper lines or ISDN
- Make sure your broadband connection is reliable enough for digital calls
- Plan number transfers carefully so you keep existing business numbers
- Test calls, voicemail and call forwarding before fully switching
You do not need to switch immediately, but leaving it until late 2026 could mean longer installation waits and fewer provider options.
Final Thoughts on the Landline Switch Off 2027
The UK landline switch off 2027 marks a permanent shift away from the ageing copper phone network. By 31 January 2027, traditional PSTN and ISDN services will no longer operate, and all landline calls will run through digital networks instead.
For homeowners, the change usually means moving your phone service to your broadband router. For businesses, it often involves upgrading to modern VoIP systems that offer greater flexibility and call management features.
While the deadline may seem distant, planning early helps avoid last-minute disruptions and installation delays. Checking how your phone currently connects and arranging migration well before 2027 will ensure your number and service continue to work smoothly.
Landline Switch Off 2027 FAQs
The UK landline switch off will take place on 31 January 2027. On this date, the old copper Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) will be retired, and traditional analogue landlines will stop working. Phone services will instead run over broadband using digital technology such as VoIP.
Your phone will stop working if it relies on the old copper network and plugs directly into the wall socket. To keep using a landline after the landline switch off 2027, you will need to move to a digital landline service that connects through your broadband router.
Digital Voice is a modern phone service that works over your broadband connection instead of the old copper landline network.
You still make and receive calls in a similar way, but your phone connects through your internet router rather than the wall socket.
Many providers now use terms such as:
Digital Voice
VoIP
Internet calling
Broadband phone service
They all describe the same basic change away from the old PSTN network.
No. While fibre broadband offers the most reliable performance, digital landlines can also work with ADSL, fixed wireless, or satellite broadband. The key requirement is a stable internet connection.
Yes. In most cases you can keep your existing number by porting it to your new digital landline provider. Number porting typically takes between 7 and 14 days, and most UK geographic numbers can be transferred.
Traditional copper landlines often continued working during power cuts because they carried their own electricity. Digital landlines rely on your broadband router, which requires power. During a power outage, your phone will stop working unless you have a battery backup system.
No. The landline switch off only affects copper-based landline networks such as PSTN and ISDN. Mobile phone networks will continue to operate as normal.
You can still use a digital landline as long as you have a stable internet connection. Many rural homes use ADSL, wireless broadband, or satellite services such as Starlink, which can support VoIP phone services.
The copper network is ageing and expensive to maintain. Moving to digital phone services allows providers to deliver more reliable, flexible and feature-rich communication systems while supporting modern broadband infrastructure.
