The UK's Big Landline Change: What Digital Voice Means for You
BT and Openreach haven't made enough noise about the PSTN switch-off—yet it affects everyone and 74% of people still don't know it's happening. So, we're saying it loud and clear: here's what you need to know before landlines go digital in 2027.
The big switch-off & why digital voice matters
Traditional landlines are being phased out
At more than a century old, the copper wire PSTN that landlines have always used is being retired come the 31st of January 2027. It is being replaced with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology and digital voice.
Why switch the PSTN off?
- The ageing copper wires are unreliable & prone to faults, outages & weather damage.
- The network has become too costly for providers to maintain.
- The Victorian technology no longer suits the way we communicate as a society.
What is digital voice?
Digital voice is VoIP technology used by telecoms providers. VoIP allows you to make voice calls via an internet connection. You may have unknowingly used VoIP technology when making video calls on your laptop or using wi-fi calling from your mobile phone.
Once the PSTN is switched off, all landline calls will be made using a digital voice service.
Who will be affected by the PSTN switch-off? Will they need digital voice?
- Households that rely on landlines - your home landline will not work from February 2027 if you have not switched to digital voice.
- Businesses that rely on landlines - your business landline will not work from February 2027 if you have not switched to digital voice.
- Vulnerable people who rely on carelines - If you have a careline device, contact your provider now to check if it will still work after the switch-off on 31st January 2027. Some older systems may need upgrading to work with digital voice.
- Home and business security systems - If your security system connects via a landline, check with your provider to ensure it will still function after 31st January 2027. Some systems may require an internet-enabled upgrade to work with digital voice.
If you would like the use of a home phone, you will need to move over to digital voice before the 2027 switch-off deadline.
Who is responsible for the digital voice switchover?
Openreach (part of BT) initiated the PSTN switch-off in 2017 with support from the government. They are working with telecom service providers to move customers over to digital voice, area by area. This means that some of the UK have already switched. Ofcom is keeping a close eye on this migration to ensure customers are protected and have full access to emergency services.
How does digital voice work?
With your phone connected to your router, the following process happens instantaneously:
- Your voice is digitised & broken into data packets.
- These packets travel via your broadband connection.
- When it reaches its destination, the data is reassembled into high-quality sound.
All digital voice services use VoIP, but not all VoIP services are digital voice!
How you'll benefit from digital voice
New technology can feel daunting, but the switch to digital voice is simple. People who have already switched to digital voice have discovered:
- Better call quality - no crackly lines or dropped calls with HD voice audio.
- More features - call blocking, voicemail-to-email, call forwarding, call recording etc.
- Cost savings - more money in the bank as costs are typically lower than copper landlines.
- Flexibility - missed calls are a thing of the past when you can take your landline number out with you via mobile apps.
- Scam protection - can be one step ahead of sophisticated scammers with systems such as Phonely's CallGuard.
Digital voice vs traditional landlines
| Feature | Digital Voice | Traditional Landline |
|---|---|---|
| Call quality | HD voice, crystal-clear audio | Standard definition, lower clarity |
| Connectivity | Uses broadband | Uses copper landlines |
| Features | Call blocking, voicemail-to-email, call recording, customisable | Basic call functions only |
| Portability | Can be used anywhere via mobile apps | Tied to a fixed location |
| Phone Number | Take it with you when you move home anywhere in the UK | Tied to a geographical location |
| Power Dependency | Requires power & internet | Works during power cuts (unless using cordless phones) |
| Scam Protection | Advanced call blocking, e.g. Phonely's CallGuard | Limited protection against scam calls |
Switching to digital voice early
Why bother switching before 2027? If your landline still works, you might wonder why you should act now. Here's why waiting could cost you…
- You can save money. For example, compared to BT digital voice, you can save £173 a year by switching to Phonely.
- You will have better protection from ever-increasing phone scams, with services such as auto call blocking & CallGuard.
- You will avoid disruption caused to your service by everyone trying to switch at once in late 2026.
What do you need to switch to digital voice?
Most people will find they have most of what they will need to transition over to digital voice.
- A broadband connection - check with your provider to see if it's fast enough.
- A digital voice adapter - you will need one if you would like to keep your favourite analogue phone.
- A new digital voice handset - If you fancy a bit of new tech, you can plug a digital voice telephone straight into your router.
How to switch to digital voice?
- Find a provider - you can shop around for a good deal or in some cases stay with your existing provider. Household names, such as Plusnet & TalkTalk will not be offering a digital voice service.
- Make some light decisions - will you keep your new number? Will you want a digital voice adapter or a new digital voice phone? What features will benefit you the most?
- Plug and play - once your provider has given you the green light, plug in your adapter or phone & make and receive calls just as you always have - but better!
Your provider should give you support with setting up any equipment. It's usually very simple and in most cases, you just plug your phone into your router instead of your BT wall socket.
Concerns about digital voice
Like with all technology, digital voice isn't perfect. Here are some common FAQs that we've addressed for you:
- Digital voice relies on electricity - what if my power goes out?You can attach a battery backup to your router or if you have good mobile signal, you can use your mobile phone.
- Digital voice relies on an internet connection - what if I lose that connection?Some providers offer a mobile failover. This means that should your internet fail, your router will switch to a 4 or 5G mobile network. Check with your internet provider to see if this is available for you.
- Do elderly or vulnerable people have to switch?As it stands, if you are considered vulnerable, Ofcom states that providers cannot make you switch to digital voice until you have a guaranteed way of being able to contact emergency services during a power outage.
- Can I keep my existing number?Yes, in most cases. If you're switching to a new digital voice provider, they will handle the number transfer for you.
- Does digital voice work with home alarm systems and carelines?Many alarm systems & careline facilities are reliant on the PSTN to function. Before switching to digital voice, we suggest you contact your service provider to understand your options.
The future of digital voice in the UK
Technological upgrades can feel never-ending. There's always something new! However, VoIP and digital voice will stand you in good stead for communication for many years to come.
What's next for digital voice?
With digital voice, it feels like the sky is the limit. Some providers are continually investing and innovating to make their customer's lives better.
How Phonely is leading the way
With smarter technology comes smarter criminals and at Phonely we believe that customers need suitable protection from them. Our in-house technical team have created a unique system to fight scammers from every angle. At Phonely every customer has access to:
- Exclusive CallGuard technology for robust scam protection.
- Easy-to-use digital voice service for all age groups and abilities.
- Dedicated UK-based customer support, no problem too small.
If you switch to digital voice with Phonely today, you'll get…
- Get 10% off your first year - use code DV10.
- Steadfast scam protection - CallGuard is the wall between you and the scammer.
- Free number porting - keep your phone number, and we'll handle everything.
