What is the Digital Switchover or ‘landline switch off’?

The plan to withdraw BT and Openreach’s old copper-based analogue line services (PSTN phones and WLR), which was due to complete by December 2025, has been delayed until 31 January 2027

Between now and January 2027 Openreach are removing all old analogue lines (analogue lines are also often referred to as copper wire connections used by most old telephone services) public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a fully digital network across the UK.

This means that most telephone providers will be moving their customers from an old analogue line over to a new upgraded digital landline using a digital service such as fibre. 

Changes have already started across the UK including some areas of Worcestershire.

Telephone providers should be contacting all their customers to make them aware of the changes and have moved their customers onto the new digital services by January 2027. The delays are to give broadband ISPs, telecare providers and consumers more time to adapt.

The PSTN is a privately-owned analogue telecoms network and the decision to upgrade it was taken by the telecoms industry. It will be replaced by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology which carries voice calls as data using an internet connection.

How will it affect me and what do I need to do?

This will affect everyone whether that is in your home as a resident or as part of your business, and it won’t just affect voice telephony services it will also impact other analogue line technology you may use. 

Your telecoms provider (Virgin Media, BT, etc.) should contact you before the switchover to check in and discuss what you need to do to make sure your service isn’t interrupted. However, we’re encouraging everyone to know what to expect.

Further details can be found in the sections below.

What technology and services are impacted? 

It’s not just your phone services you need to think about. It’s everything else that currently uses the old phone network, see some examples below:  

• all your non-voice services connected to PSTN or ISDN lines.  
• alarms e.g. building or personal 
• EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) machines 
• payment lines
• door entry systems 
• CCTV 
• fax machines 
• Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)

Your provider will be able to confirm what services you currently use that will be impacted by these changes. 

In an emergency

Digital landlines cannot carry an independent power connection like the old analogue lines, so in the event of a power cut they will not work without mains power.

For more information: 

This switch off is being undertaken by Openreach, and your telephone provider, therefore Worcestershire County Council are unable to assist you directly with any queries.

For more information, please contact your telephone provider and/or visit Openreach’s main page: Digital phone lines | Openreach