Households with landline phones have been given a 90-day warning. Openreach has issued a stark reminder to all customers that the legacy phone connections are officially being switched off and unplugged from January 31, and the deadline will not be extended again.
A letter was sent to providers who use the Openreach network to deliver landline services to remind them that any customers still on legacy public switched network (PTSN) connections are at risk of losing services after January 31, 2027.
The move is part of a push to retire old copper cable connections and switch the UK to all-digital high-speed fibre optic infrastructure. For those who still want to retain a landline, it means that a phone needs to be plugged into a broadband router instead for a Digital Voice service.
Critics have pointed out that the change could mean the loss of landline services during power cuts or internet outages.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “With only three months to go, the digital landline switchover is entering a critical final phase. Most people have moved over without major problems, but nobody who relies on their landline or TeleCare should be left behind.
“Anyone with concerns should contact their provider, but the responsibility cannot rest with customers alone. Providers must not give up on people who have not responded. They need to keep trying to reach them and offer practical, individual support, recognising that some may be unwell, living with dementia, worried about scams or without anyone nearby to help.”
Openreach says on its PTSN switch off page: “The old landline network is ageing, harder to maintain, more vulnerable to faults and no longer meets modern needs. More services now rely on digital connections, so the UK needs a phone system that can support modern homes and businesses. Moving to digital phone lines will help provide you with a more reliable service, better-quality calls and smarter blocking of unwanted calls.
“Don’t wait until the deadline, On 31 January 2027, all traditional phone lines will be going digital.
“Call your service provider as soon as possible. They’ll explain what needs to happen, help you choose the right digital option and support you through the switch.”
