Free business tool

PSTN switch-off checker
Is your business prepared?

The UK's traditional telephone network is being permanently switched off. Enter your postcode or town below to check your area's status, understand your deadline, and find out exactly what your business needs to do.

Check your exchange status

Enter your postcode, town or area to see whether your local exchange is affected and when your deadline falls.

Key milestones

The PSTN switch-off timeline

The switchover has been running since 2020 and accelerates sharply through 2026 and 2027. Most businesses will be impacted well before the final deadline.

2020–2022

Stop-sell begins Complete

Openreach stopped accepting orders for new PSTN and ISDN products at 297 priority exchanges. Businesses at these exchanges could no longer add lines or upgrade existing services.

December 2023

Stop-sell goes nationwide Complete

New PSTN and ISDN products became unavailable across all UK exchanges. No new landlines or ISDN lines could be ordered anywhere in the country.

November 2025

First exchange physically closes Complete

Deddington in Oxfordshire became the first UK exchange to fully close — 1,800 copper lines migrated to full fibre. The physical exchange building was decommissioned.

2026 — Now

Phase 1 exchange exits begin Underway

Work begins at 12 more exchanges including Staines, Thames Ditton, Childwall and Glengormley. Over 1,432 exchanges are now on active stop-sell covering 14.2 million UK premises. Businesses in these areas are being contacted and migrated.

2 November 2026

Ballyclare & Kenton Road close Confirmed

These two pilot exchanges — serving 9,500 premises each in Northern Ireland and London — will cease all legacy services. Communication providers have been instructed to migrate all customers by 30 October 2026.

January 2027

Full PSTN switch-off Final deadline

Openreach will cease all remaining PSTN and ISDN services nationwide. Any business still relying on traditional copper phone lines will lose service completely. This deadline is confirmed and will not be extended further for business customers.

2027–2030

108 priority exchanges physically close Planned

Openreach plans to physically close and vacate over 100 legacy exchange buildings. Each exchange closure takes 4–7 years to complete. The full exit of all 4,600 non-essential exchanges will extend into the early 2030s.

Early 2030s

Full copper network retirement Long-term

All 4,600 legacy exchanges are decommissioned. Only around 1,000 modern digital handover exchanges will remain, providing nationwide coverage of full fibre broadband and IP voice services.

What stops working

What is affected by the switch-off?

Any device or service that communicates over a traditional copper telephone line will stop working after the switch-off. The impact goes beyond just phone calls — review each category carefully.

☎️

Landline phones

All traditional desk phones connected via a copper telephone line will stop working completely.

📟

ISDN lines

ISDN2 and ISDN30 business lines cease on the same deadline. Multi-line businesses on ISDN are particularly exposed.

🔒

Intruder alarms

Most alarm systems use the phone line for monitoring and police response. These require urgent review and potential hardware replacement.

🔥

Fire alarms

Fire alarm systems with dial-up monitoring or alert functions over PSTN must be reconfigured before the deadline.

📠

Fax machines

Traditional fax machines will not function over IP networks. Fax-to-email solutions are available as direct replacements.

💳

Card payment terminals

EPOS and card machines using a phone line connection for transactions will need to be updated to IP or mobile data connectivity.

🛗

Lift emergency phones

Lift alarm systems with PSTN-connected emergency call functions are legally required to operate and must be migrated before the deadline.

🌐

ADSL / FTTC broadband

Broadband delivered over copper telephone lines (ADSL and many FTTC connections) may be affected as exchanges are retired.

📺

CCTV dial-up systems

CCTV systems that use a phone line for remote access or monitoring alerts will lose connectivity.

🏥

Telecare / medical alarms

Personal alarms and telecare systems have an extended deadline to January 2027 but must still migrate. Providers are actively contacting users.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions about the PSTN switch-off

When is the PSTN switch-off deadline?

Openreach has confirmed the UK PSTN will be fully switched off by January 2027. Stop-sell restrictions are already active on over 1,400 exchanges, and physical exchange closures began in late 2025. Many businesses will be affected before the final deadline.

What is stop-sell and does it affect my business?

Stop-sell means Openreach has stopped accepting orders for new PSTN and ISDN products at your exchange. You can keep your existing lines until the switch-off but cannot add lines or change products. If your exchange is on stop-sell, migration planning should begin immediately.

What happens if I do nothing before the switch-off?

Your existing landlines and ISDN connections will stop working completely. Phone calls, broadband (if delivered over copper), alarm systems, EPOS machines and any device using the PSTN will cease to function without warning.

Can I keep my existing phone number?

Yes. Your existing geographic number can be ported to a VoIP system. The process is managed by your new provider and typically takes 10–15 working days. There is no need to change your number, update stationery, or inform customers.

What replaces PSTN for businesses?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the standard replacement. Calls travel over your broadband connection rather than copper lines. A VoIP system typically costs less, offers more features, and scales without additional line costs. Browse VoIP numbers →

How long does migration to VoIP take?

For most businesses, the full migration from PSTN to VoIP takes between 2 and 6 weeks depending on the complexity of your setup, the number of users, and whether you need new hardware. Number porting alone takes 10–15 working days. Starting now avoids last-minute disruption as the 2027 deadline approaches.

Does the switch-off affect my broadband?

If your broadband is delivered over a copper telephone line — ADSL or many FTTC connections — it may be affected as exchanges are retired. Full fibre (FTTP) connections are not affected. Check with your broadband provider whether your connection is copper-based.

My alarm system uses the phone line — what do I do?

This is one of the highest-risk areas of the switch-off. Contact your alarm system provider immediately — most reputable providers are proactively reaching out to customers. Replacement options include IP-connected, GSM/mobile, or dual-path alarm communicators. Do not wait until the deadline.

PSTN switch-off checker
Is your business prepared?

PSTN switch-off: January 2027

Check your exchange status

The PSTN switch-off timeline

What is affected by the switch-off?

Frequently asked questions about the PSTN switch-off

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