Yes. The UK’s traditional landline is being phased out. The old analogue phone network, known as the PSTN, is being switched off and replaced with digital calling that runs over the internet. If you still have a traditional home or business phone line, it will move to a digital service before the network is retired at the end of January 2027.
What is the UK landline switch off?
The UK landline switch off is the retirement of the old analogue phone network, and every home and business still on it will be moved to digital calling before the deadline. The regulator Ofcom has more on the change.
Here is what that actually means, why it is happening, and the simple steps to make sure your phone, and everything else that quietly relies on your line, keeps working.
Why are landlines being switched off?
The copper based analogue network has carried our calls for well over a century, but it is old, expensive to maintain and increasingly unreliable. Openreach is retiring it and moving everyone to digital voice, where calls travel over a broadband connection instead of copper wires. It is the same shift the mobile and internet worlds made years ago. For the full business detail, see our guide to the PSTN and landline switch-off.
When will my landline stop working?
- 2023: new analogue phone lines stopped being sold.
- Now: existing lines are being migrated to digital in a rolling regional programme.
- End of January 2027: the analogue network is switched off completely.
The final deadline was extended from December 2025 to give people more time to migrate safely, particularly households with vulnerable users or equipment that depends on a phone line. The end result is the same, only the timeline moved.
What it means at home
For most homes the change is simple. Your calls move to digital voice, usually plugged into your broadband router, and in many cases you can keep your existing phone and number. If you have a personal alarm or a telecare pendant, tell your provider, as these need checking before the switch.
What it means for business
Businesses have more to think about, because it is not only desk phones that use a line. Alarms, door entry systems, lift phones, card machines and fax machines can all dial out over analogue lines and may stop working after the switch. The move is also an opportunity: modern VoIP phone systems are cheaper to run and far better for hybrid working than the old lines ever were.
What replaces the landline?
- Digital voice, or VoIP: your calls run over the internet through a hosted phone system, keeping your numbers and adding features like mobile apps and call recording.
- Modern broadband: SoGEA broadband and full fibre deliver internet without needing a traditional phone line at all. For homes, our home broadband options do the same.
What you should do now
- Check what depends on your line, including alarms, lifts and card machines.
- Plan your move to digital voice and confirm you can keep your number.
- Make sure your broadband is up to the job, upgrading to SoGEA or full fibre if needed.
- Do not wait for the deadline, as migrating early avoids any risk of being cut off.
How ATS Connection can help
We help homes and businesses across West Sussex move off the old network smoothly. We check what you have, recommend the right digital phone and broadband setup, port your numbers and manage the switch with no loss of service. Get a quote or call us on 01903 255 159.
Frequently asked questions
Are landlines really being phased out in the UK?
Yes. The analogue phone network is being retired and switched off by the end of January 2027, with all lines moving to digital voice delivered over broadband.
Will I lose my phone number?
No. Your existing number can be ported across to the digital service, so you keep it when you move.
Do I need the internet for a digital landline?
Yes. Digital voice runs over a broadband connection, which is why it is worth making sure your broadband is reliable before you switch.
What happens if I do nothing?
When the analogue network is switched off, any service still on it stops working. It is much safer to migrate ahead of the deadline.
Is digital voice more expensive?
Usually it is cheaper, because there is no separate line rental and calls are often included, plus you gain features a traditional line never had.