The landline switch-off on 31 January 2027: what small businesses need to check

On 31 January 2027 the UK's old copper phone network, the PSTN, is due to be switched off. If your business has a traditional landline, you probably already know something is changing. What catches people out is everything else that quietly rides on that line. This guide explains what is happening, what is at risk and what a small business should do in the next few weeks.

What is actually happening

Openreach says that by 31 January 2027 all traditional phone lines will move to digital, and describes the old network as ageing, harder to maintain and more vulnerable to faults. Phone calls will run over your broadband connection (often called voice over IP, or VoIP) instead of the copper line. According to trade press reporting on Openreach's figures, there were still around 1.5 million analogue lines yet to migrate in July 2026, of which roughly 350,000 were business premises. Openreach has also said there will be no further extension.

New analogue connections have not been available for some time, and the ISPreview report notes that legacy line rental prices have been rising to encourage people to move. Staying put is not a free option.

Why businesses are treated differently

ISPreview reports Openreach saying that residential customers will not face a hard disconnection on 31 January 2027, and that a temporary emergency voice service will be available to households who miss the date. Business lines do not get the same safety net. A guide from ATS Connection adds that ISDN and multiline services are not covered by that temporary service. The sensible reading for a business owner is simple: treat the date as a real deadline, not a soft target.

The hidden dependencies

The phones on your desk are the easy part. Openreach's own guidance lists the devices that may need a compatibility check:

• Card payment terminals, especially older dial-up machines
• Alarm systems
• CCTV systems that use the phone line
• Lift emergency phones
• Door entry systems

The Stack, reporting on the wider copper retirement, quotes figures suggesting around 180,000 of the UK's 300,000 lifts depend on copper lines, and lists fire alarms, ATMs and business continuity systems among the dependants. Fax machines and ISDN phone systems behind an office switchboard are also tied to the old network, according to the ATS Connection guide.

Your broadband may be affected too. The same guide says ADSL and FTTC services that depend on an analogue line need to move to a different product, such as full fibre or a standalone broadband service, while standalone full fibre and leased lines are not affected. Check what you have before you assume it is fine.

Power cuts: the point most people miss

A copper line carried its own small amount of power, so a basic phone could keep working in a power cut. Digital lines do not. Openreach says digital phone lines need electricity at your premises, and that if your business depends on its phone service or has poor mobile coverage, you should tell your provider so they can arrange battery backup support. The ATS Connection guide notes that Ofcom guidance recommends battery backup for routers and phone systems. For a shop, salon or takeaway, a small uninterruptible power supply on the router is a modest cost compared with missing orders during an outage.

What to do this week

• List every line. Look at your phone bill for line rental, ISDN or analogue entries. Count the lines and write down what is plugged into each.
• Find the hidden devices. Walk the premises. Card machine, alarm panel, door entry, CCTV recorder, lift phone, fax.
• Ask each supplier directly. Email your card machine provider, alarm company and lift maintenance firm and ask whether the device works over broadband, wi-fi or 4G, and what the upgrade involves. Keep the replies.
• Talk to your phone and broadband provider. Ask what digital service they will move you to, and the date. Tell them if you rely on the phone or have weak mobile signal so backup can be arranged.
• Check your internet is good enough. Voice calls need a stable connection. If your broadband is already flaky, fix that first.
• Protect your phone number. If you want to keep your existing number, ask about number porting early. The AMVIA guide suggests starting 4 to 6 weeks before go live, though timelines vary by provider.
• Plan for delays. ISPreview reports migration problems such as lost orders and long gaps between notification and the switch. Do not leave orders until January.

Choosing a replacement

Most small businesses will land on one of three routes: a hosted VoIP phone service with handsets or an app, a calling feature in a platform you already use such as Microsoft Teams, or a mobile-first setup. Harrogate Chamber of Commerce's guide on the switch-off argues the move may actually save some businesses money compared with older technology, though your own costs depend on your supplier and contract, so get at least two quotes and read the minimum term carefully.

Whichever route you choose, think about the whole picture rather than only the phone. A new internet connection, a router with backup power, a phone system and a card machine that all depend on one another is really a small IT setup, and it is worth thinking through what happens when one part fails. If you would like help planning connectivity, backup and security for the whole business, our cloud and security team can talk it through with you.

The bottom line

The deadline is firm, business lines do not get the household safety net, and the real risk is the equipment nobody remembers is plugged into the wall. Make your list, ask your suppliers in writing, arrange power backup and book the migration well before the end of January. A quiet afternoon spent on this now is far cheaper than a card machine that will not connect on a busy Saturday.