PSTN Switch Off Checklist: 9 Devices to Check Before the UK Landline Shutdown

A PSTN switch off checklist can help UK households prepare for the retirement of traditional landlines. By January 2027, the UK will permanently switch off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and ISDN services.

When the shutdown happens, calls will move to digital voice services that run through broadband connections. While many people focus on their home phone, the bigger issue is often the other devices connected to the landline.

For example, alarm systems, telecare devices, fax machines, and entry systems frequently rely on analogue phone lines. If these devices are not upgraded, they may stop working once the copper network is retired.

Using a PSTN switch off checklist helps identify which devices in your home may need updating before the transition.

What Is the PSTN and ISDN Switch-Off?

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the traditional copper landline system that has powered UK phone calls for decades. Many homes and businesses still rely on this infrastructure.

However, the network is ageing and expensive to maintain. As a result, telecom providers are replacing it with digital voice technology that operates over broadband connections.

After the transition:

• Traditional landline wall sockets will stop carrying analogue signals
• Calls will be made through your broadband router
• Some older devices connected to phone lines may no longer function

Your telecom provider will normally guide you through the migration process, but it’s still important to check which devices in your home rely on the current landline connection.

PSTN Switch Off Checklist: Devices to Check in Your Home

Use this PSTN switch off checklist to identify devices that could stop working after the network shutdown.

1. Home Alarm Systems and Monitored Burglar Alarms

Many burglar alarms and monitored security systems still use analogue landlines. For example, some systems automatically dial monitoring centres when an alarm is triggered.

However, once the PSTN network shuts down, these systems may:

• Fail to send alerts
• Lose connection with monitoring centres
• Trigger system faults

What to do:

Contact your alarm provider and ask whether the system supports IP-based or GSM communication. If it relies on PSTN, you may need to upgrade to a digital-compatible alarm system.

2. Telecare Devices and Medical Alarms

Telecare systems are one of the most important things to check, especially in homes where elderly or vulnerable people rely on them.

Because these systems often rely on landlines, older models may stop working after the PSTN switch-off.

What to do:

Speak to your telecare provider and ask whether your device is digital-ready. If it isn’t compatible, the provider will normally offer a replacement system designed for digital networks.

Local councils and the UK government have already started supporting vulnerable users with this transition.

3. Fax Machines

Although fax machines are less common today, some homes and small businesses still use them.

Traditional fax machines rely on analogue phone lines, which means they may stop working or become unreliable after the PSTN switch-off.

What to do:

You can replace fax machines with email, secure document sharing, or online fax services that work over broadband. Some machines may connect using an analogue telephone adapter (ATA), but fax transmissions are often unreliable over digital phone connections, so many households choose to switch to digital alternatives instead.

4. Payment Terminals and Card Machines

Some small businesses and sole traders still use payment terminals that dial out through PSTN connections.

Older card machines rely on analogue landlines to authorise payments.

What to do:

Check whether your terminal supports:

• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Ethernet internet connections
• Mobile network communication

Most modern payment systems already use digital connectivity, so many households will not be affected..

5. Lift Emergency Phones

Lift emergency phones provide an important safety feature in apartment buildings and homes with domestic lifts.

These systems often use PSTN connections to contact emergency support.

Once the switch-off occurs, analogue lift phones may no longer function correctly.

What to do:

If you live in a managed building, contact your building management company or landlord. They will normally coordinate upgrades to ensure lift communication systems remain compliant with safety regulations.

6. Landline Phones

Traditional landline phones will not disappear after the PSTN switch-off. Instead, they will connect to digital voice services.

In most homes, the phone will connect to:

• A broadband router
• A digital phone adapter
• A VoIP phone service

Many households simply switch to a digital landline service designed to replace PSTN connections.

If you want to explore available options, you can compare the best digital landline services in the UK to see which providers offer suitable replacements.

These services allow you to:

• Keep your existing phone number
• Continue using a home handset
• Block nuisance calls
• Make low-cost UK and international calls

As a result, they provide a straightforward transition away from analogue networks.

7. Door Entry Systems and Intercoms

Some intercom and door entry systems rely on PSTN connections to route calls between apartments or homes.

Older systems may require upgrades to digital alternatives such as:

• IP-based intercom systems
• Mobile-connected entry systems

Property managers typically manage these upgrades in flats and shared buildings.

8. Call Blocking Devices

Many households use call-blocking devices to prevent nuisance or scam calls.

These devices sit between the phone and the landline connection and filter incoming calls automatically.

However, some older analogue call blockers may not function properly after the PSTN network shuts down.

Modern digital phones and VoIP services often include built-in spam protection features. These features can help safeguard elderly relatives who remain frequent targets of nuisance calls.

9. Older Cordless Phones

Older cordless phones often connect directly to traditional PSTN wall sockets.

Once the PSTN network shuts down, these phones will typically need to connect through abroadband router or digital adapter instead.

Some older base stations may also struggle with VoIP connections or lose certain features.

What to do:

Check whether your cordless phone:

• Supports connection through a router phone port
• Requires a digital adapter
• Needs replacing with a VoIP-compatible handset

Many providers offer compatible cordless phones designed specifically for digital landline services.

Quick PSTN Switch Off Checklist for UK Homes

Use this quick PSTN switch off checklist to review devices connected to your landline.

Check if you have any of the following:

✔ Burglar alarm or monitored security system
✔ Telecare or medical pendant alarm
✔ Fax machine
✔ Payment terminal or card machine
✔ Lift emergency phone
✔ Intercom or door entry system
✔ Call blocking device
✔ Traditional landline phone
✔ Older cordless phone base station

If any of these rely on analogue phone lines, they may need upgrading before the PSTN network shuts down.

What Happens to Landlines After the PSTN Switch Off?

The PSTN switch-off does not mean landlines will disappear.

Instead, landline calls will move to digital technology, often called:

• Digital Voice
• VoIP
• Broadband calling

Your phone will normally connect to your broadband router rather than the wall socket.

Many households will continue using a familiar home phone, but the technology behind it will be fully digital.

Special Considerations for Elderly or Vulnerable Users

The PSTN switch-off has raised concerns about elderly residents who rely heavily on landlines.

Telecom providers must offer additional support to vulnerable customers during the transition.

Support options may include:

• Battery backup solutions for power outages
• Telecare device upgrades
• Extra installation assistance

If you or a family member rely on a landline for medical or safety reasons, contact your provider early to discuss available support.

When Will the PSTN Switch Off Happen in the UK?

The transition is already underway across the UK.

Key milestones include:

• Many telecom providers have stopped selling new PSTN services
• Existing customers are gradually migrating to digital voice services
• The nationwide shutdown is planned for January 2027

Most providers will contact customers before migrating their service. However, checking your equipment early helps avoid unexpected disruptions..

How to Use This PSTN Switch Off Checklist at Home

Preparing for the switch-off is usually straightforward.

Follow these steps to use the PSTN switch off checklist effectively.

Step 1: Identify devices connected to your landline

Walk through your home and check any equipment connected to your phone socket or landline.

Step 2: Confirm whether the device uses PSTN

Check device manuals or contact the manufacturer to confirm whether the system relies on analogue dial-out connections.

Step 3: Ask your telecom provider about migration

Your provider will eventually migrate your landline service to a digital voice connection.

Step 4: Upgrade incompatible devices

If any device relies on PSTN connections, the provider may recommend an upgrade to an IP-based or mobile-connected system.

Step 5: Test devices after migration

Once your landline moves to digital service, test alarms and telecare devices to confirm everything works correctly.

Final Thoughts

Using a PSTN switch off checklist helps ensure your home devices continue working once the UK retires analogue landline networks.

Although the transition to digital voice services may sound complicated, most households will experience a smooth upgrade. In most cases, the main task is simply identifying which devices still rely on PSTN connections.

By checking your equipment early, you can upgrade incompatible devices and explore digital phone options before the UK fully retires the traditional landline network.

FAQ: PSTN Switch Off Checklist

Will my landline stop working after the PSTN switch-off?

No. Landlines will still work, but they will run through broadband connections instead of analogue phone lines.

Do I need broadband for a digital landline?

In most cases, yes. Digital landlines use VoIP technology, which operates through broadband internet.

Will alarm systems stop working after the switch-off?

Some older alarm systems that rely on PSTN lines may stop working and will need upgrading.

Are telecare devices affected by the PSTN switch-off?

Yes. Some older telecare devices that rely on analogue phone lines may need replacing with digital-compatible systems.