UK PSTN and ISDN switch-off

See also

Sources

1. 1
   BT states that during a power cut or broadband outage customers cannot make calls on Digital Voice, including 999 calls, and that corded phones that work in a power cut today will not do so on Digital Voice.

   Digital Voice | Digital Home Phone | BT · Power cuts section · Checked 2026-10-14
2. 2
   BT Digital Voice is BT's home phone service delivered over the customer's broadband connection instead of the analogue network, and BT says customers wanting a home phone must move to it by the end of January 2027.

   Digital Voice | Digital Home Phone | BT · What is Digital Voice · Checked 2026-10-14
3. 3
   BT states that switching to Digital Voice costs the customer nothing and that a free adaptor is available where a phone cannot connect to the hub.

   Digital Voice | Digital Home Phone | BT · Cost; Equipment sections · Checked 2026-10-14
4. 4
   BT warns that telecare and healthcare alarms may not be supported on Digital Voice and tells customers to contact their alarm provider before switching.

   Digital Voice | Digital Home Phone | BT · Telecare and alarms section · Checked 2026-10-14
5. 5
   GOV.UK guidance lists lift alarms, burglar and fire alarms, card payment terminals and similar business systems as potentially affected by the PSTN switch-off and needing checks or upgrades.

   UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · Businesses and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) · Checked 2026-10-14
6. 6
   GOV.UK guidance says providers are advising all business customers to migrate at the earliest opportunity and to check whether devices rely on legacy networks such as the PSTN or ISDN.

   Moving landlines to digital technologies · What if I own or run a business? · Checked 2026-10-14
7. 7
   PSTN Charter signatories commit to go beyond the Ofcom minimum of one hour of uninterrupted access to emergency services during a power outage.

   Public Switched Telephone Network charter · Commitment 3 · Checked 2026-10-14
8. 8
   The PSTN Charter was first published on 18 December 2023 and was last updated on 22 January 2026.

   Public Switched Telephone Network charter (publication page) · Page header (Published / Last updated) · Checked 2026-10-14
9. 9
   PSTN Charter signatories commit not to undertake non-voluntary migrations to digital landlines until they are fully confident that all possible steps are being taken to protect vulnerable people.

   Public Switched Telephone Network charter · Commitment 1 · Checked 2026-10-14
10. 10
    PSTN Charter signatories commit to additional checks on customers already non-voluntarily migrated, to find telecare devices that were not known about.

    Public Switched Telephone Network charter · Commitment 5 · Checked 2026-10-14
11. 11
    PSTN Charter signatories commit to work with Ofcom and government to create a shared definition of vulnerable customer groups that need greater support during migration.

    Public Switched Telephone Network charter · Commitment 4 · Checked 2026-10-14
12. 12
    PSTN Charter signatories include BT, Virgin Media O2, Sky, TalkTalk Consumer, Vodafone and KCOM, with later additions such as Zen Internet, Ogi, B4RN, Immervox, Digital Space and Utility Warehouse.

    Public Switched Telephone Network charter · Signatories · Checked 2026-10-14
13. 13
    PSTN Charter signatories commit that no telecare user will be migrated to a digital landline without confirmation that a compatible and functioning telecare solution is in place.

    Public Switched Telephone Network charter · Commitment 2 · Checked 2026-10-14
14. 14
    The PSTN Charter is described by DSIT as a voluntary agreement between the government and communication providers.

    Public Switched Telephone Network charter (publication page) · Details · Checked 2026-10-14
15. 15
    The non-voluntary migration checklist says identified vulnerable users will be offered an engineer visit where appropriate, free to the end customer.

    Telecoms Modernisation: non-voluntary migration checklist · Checklist item 4 · Checked 2026-10-14
16. 16
    The non-voluntary migration checklist commits providers to make exhaustive efforts to sign data sharing agreements with all local authorities to identify telecare users.

    Telecoms Modernisation: non-voluntary migration checklist · Checklist item 3 · Checked 2026-10-14
17. 17
    The non-voluntary migration checklist commits providers, where technically feasible, to restore as a priority the telephone of a vulnerable customer whose telecare stops working after migration.

    Telecoms Modernisation: non-voluntary migration checklist · Checklist item 5 · Checked 2026-10-14
18. 18
    The non-voluntary migration checklist says providers will start non-voluntary migrations with a smaller cohort to confirm their business processes are robust.

    Telecoms Modernisation: non-voluntary migration checklist · Checklist item 7 · Checked 2026-10-14
19. 19
    Under the March 2026 non-voluntary migration checklist, providers will wherever possible issue at least two different forms of communication to customers well in advance of migration, including asking whether they use telecare.

    Telecoms Modernisation: non-voluntary migration checklist · Checklist item 2 · Checked 2026-10-14
20. 20
    The non-voluntary migration checklist says customers will only undergo unsupported non-voluntary migrations as an absolute last resort.

    Telecoms Modernisation: non-voluntary migration checklist · Checklist item 8 · Checked 2026-10-14
21. 21
    Openreach states the PSTN closes on 31 January 2027, after which it begins a decommissioning phase in which services that cannot be migrated will cease.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, PSTN closure · Checked 2026-10-14
22. 22
    Customers on WLR3 (EVAc) can still make and receive calls but with a limited set of calling and network features.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, WLR withdrawal and EVAc · Checked 2026-10-14
23. 23
    The DSIT connectivity timeline says exchanges will be closed over the next decade, starting with 108 exchanges by 2030 in phases with deadlines in April 2028, April 2029, April 2030 and December 2030.

    Telecommunications Modernisation: Connectivity Timeline · Exchange exit · Checked 2026-10-14
24. 24
    DSIT's supported-journeys guidance says providers should identify telecare, social alarm and medical equipment users and landline-dependent customers with no other means of communication, such as those in a mobile not-spot.

    Supported journeys: defining vulnerability during the PSTN migration · Should identify · Checked 2026-10-14
25. 25
    Customers who do not have or want broadband may be offered an interim dedicated landline service that lasts until a digital solution becomes available or 2030, whichever comes sooner.

    UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · If you don't have or want broadband · Checked 2026-10-14
26. 26
    Openreach requires communications providers to migrate or cease ISDN and Multiline services by the 31 January 2027 deadline.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, Scope · Checked 2026-10-14
27. 27
    UK government guidance states that ISDN is being switched off alongside the PSTN as part of the transition from analogue to digital landlines.

    UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · Details · Checked 2026-10-14
28. 28
    To move a customer off WLR3 (EVAc), a communications provider must place a new strategic product line provide order and a separate cease.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, WLR withdrawal and EVAc · Checked 2026-10-14
29. 29
    GOV.UK guidance says that in some cases a customer may need to change communication provider if their current provider will not offer a voice service in future, and that the exact migration process depends on the provider.

    Moving landlines to digital technologies · What do I need to do · Checked 2026-10-14
30. 30
    GOV.UK guidance states that any UK mobile network can be used to reach the emergency services through national emergency roaming, which is the fallback when a digital landline loses power.

    UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · Power cuts · Checked 2026-10-14
31. 31
    UK government guidance says that for most customers the upgrade from analogue to digital landlines is expected to be complete by January 2027.

    UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · Overview · Checked 2026-10-14
32. 32
    Openreach states the WLR stop sell rules do not restrict provision of MPF, or MPF with FTTC including G.fast.

    Stop sell · WLR UK Stop Sell (Order Restrictions) · Checked 2026-10-14
33. 33
    A second charter covering network operators such as Openreach and CityFibre was agreed in March 2024, following the December 2023 communication provider charter.

    UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · Vulnerable customers (charters paragraph) · Checked 2026-10-14
34. 34
    The UK government states the landline upgrade is not a government programme: the networks are privately owned and the decision to upgrade is taken by communication providers and network operators.

    UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · Details · Checked 2026-10-14
35. 35
    Openreach sets 6 November 2026 as the deadline for letters of authority for novations and transfers of service.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, Key dates · Checked 2026-10-14
36. 36
    Under Ofcom's 2018 guidance, UK providers must offer at least one solution giving access to emergency services for a minimum of one hour during a power cut at the premises, free of charge for at-risk customers.

    UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · Power cuts · Checked 2026-10-14
37. 37
    The DSIT connectivity timeline states that all users of the Openreach PSTN will need to be migrated to new services by 31 January 2027.

    Telecommunications Modernisation: Connectivity Timeline · Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) migration · Checked 2026-10-14
38. 38
    31 January 2027 is the final date for migration orders, bulk migration submissions and CP-requested ceases, and migration orders with completion dates after 31 March 2027 will be cancelled.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, Key dates · Checked 2026-10-14
39. 39
    GOV.UK guidance reports that Ofcom recorded 20% more PSTN service incidents in 2023 than in 2022, and that parts for analogue networks are becoming hard to source.

    UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · Why the old network is being replaced · Checked 2026-10-14
40. 40
    GOV.UK guidance reports a 45% increase in reported PSTN incidents in 2024 and over 2,600 major PSTN incidents in 2024/25.

    Moving landlines to digital technologies · Why is this happening · Checked 2026-10-14
41. 41
    Openreach will move residual WLR3 lines still on the PSTN after closure to a product called WLR3 (EVAc) through an Openreach-managed migration process.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, WLR withdrawal and EVAc · Checked 2026-10-14
42. 42
    From 1 February 2027 Service Level Guarantees and automatic compensation no longer apply to Openreach WLR3 lines.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, Pricing · Checked 2026-10-14
43. 43
    Openreach-managed migrations to WLR3 (EVAc) begin on 1 February 2027 with SOLUS lines, exchange by exchange.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, Scope and Key dates · Checked 2026-10-14
44. 44
    The February 2024 GOV.UK transition guidance says not all analogue phone services will necessarily be moved by 2027 and that, depending on the provider, a customer may not be required to move to digital voice by then.disputed

    UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · What the change means in practice, and how you can prepare · Checked 2026-10-14
45. 45
    Openreach makes SOTAP available across the UK for new supply where premises are not enabled for either FTTP or SOGEA.

    Stop sell · Products remaining available after WLR Stop Sell · Checked 2026-10-14
46. 46
    Openreach is developing a short-term way to keep FTTC or SMPF broadband running as a standalone service on lines whose voice moves to EVAc, with CP requests due by 31 January 2027 and such migrations expected from mid-April 2027.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, Scope (Broadband) and Key dates · Checked 2026-10-14
47. 47
    Openreach states the WLR UK stop sell remains in effect until the withdrawal of WLR on 31 January 2027, after which Openreach will no longer offer or support the product.

    Stop sell · WLR UK Stop Sell (Order Restrictions); Background · Checked 2026-10-14
48. 48
    A Telecare Action Board of about 30 organisations was formed in January 2024 to coordinate protection of telecare users during the landline migration.

    UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · Vulnerable customers · Checked 2026-10-14
49. 49
    When capacity is constrained, Openreach will give priority to lines believed to support telecare-reliant customers.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, Scope (Vulnerable and CNI customers) · Checked 2026-10-14
50. 50
    GOV.UK guidance warns that telecare devices connected to a digital landline may not work during a power cut, unlike analogue corded handsets which can work if the exchange still has power.

    UK transition from analogue to digital landlines · Power cuts · Checked 2026-10-14
51. 51
    The February 2025 Telecare National Action Plan states the switchover will be complete for all providers by January 2027.disputed

    Telecare National Action Plan: protecting telecare users throughout the digital phone switchover · Publication page summary · Checked 2026-10-14
52. 52
    The Telecare National Action Plan, published 11 February 2025 by DHSC and DSIT, applies to England and supersedes the DHSC Telecare Stakeholder Action Plan.

    Telecare National Action Plan: protecting telecare users throughout the digital phone switchover · Publication page header and summary · Checked 2026-10-14
53. 53
    The Telecare National Action Plan estimates that about 2 million people in the UK use telecare services, some of whose analogue devices may not work reliably on digital networks.

    Telecare National Action Plan: protecting telecare users throughout the digital phone switchover · Publication page summary · Checked 2026-10-14
54. 54
    The May 2025 GOV.UK guidance says over two thirds of UK landlines have already been upgraded to VoIP, without giving an as-of date for the figure.

    Moving landlines to digital technologies · Opening section · Checked 2026-10-14
55. 55
    Openreach defines WLR as comprising PSTN, ISDN2 and ISDN30, including Classic, so the WLR stop sell and withdrawal cover ISDN2 and ISDN30 as well as analogue lines.

    Stop sell · WLR UK Stop Sell (Order Restrictions) · Checked 2026-10-14
56. 56
    Openreach applied a UK-wide WLR stop sell effective 5 September 2023, restricting WLR for new supply at all UK exchanges, after a trial stop sell began in Mildenhall on 4 May 2021.

    Stop sell · WLR UK Stop Sell; Background · Checked 2026-10-14
57. 57
    The Openreach WLR3 exceptions process closes to new WLR provision orders on 30 October 2026, except for emergency restoration of copper (ERoC) cases.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, Exceptions process and Key dates · Checked 2026-10-14
58. 58
    From 1 February 2027 Openreach WLR3 rental rises to £35 a month for Basic and £38.60 a month for Premium, applying whether a line is still on PSTN, being migrated or on EVAc.

    PSTN closure and post-January 2027 policies (Briefing GEN068/26) · Briefing GEN068/26, Pricing · Checked 2026-10-14

Documents

Cite this page

WarmTransfer. (2026, October 14). UK PSTN and ISDN switch-off. WarmTransfer. https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/uk-pstn-switch-off

@misc{warmtransfer-uk-pstn-switch-off,
  title  = {UK PSTN and ISDN switch-off},
  author = {{WarmTransfer}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/uk-pstn-switch-off},
  note   = {Verified 2026-10-14}
}