The UK's traditional copper telephone network, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), will be switched off in just 16 weeks, and officials are warning users not to wait until the last minute to migrate to digital services. The deadline of 31 January 2027 will not be extended.
PSTN switch-off deadline approaches
The PSTN, which has been in operation for decades, is being gradually withdrawn by the telecommunications industry as the infrastructure continues to deteriorate. According to the Government, the network is breaking down due to a lack of spare parts and environmental causes such as storms or heat-induced faults.
Landlines and other equipment reliant on the PSTN will require upgrades to modern digital alternatives. Among the systems dependent on the network is telecare, which Age UK explains helps people live more independently and safely in their own properties. This includes devices that send alerts if gas is inadvertently left on, and personal alarms that allow someone to call for help after a fall.
OpenReach urges telecare users to act now
Communication providers have been working with councils to identify telecare users who may be affected. OpenReach, the BT subsidiary responsible for the physical telephone network, has issued a new warning on X, urging customers not to delay or risk losing essential services.
The post states: "Many telecare users still need to migrate before the PSTN closes on 31 January 2027. Our temporary safety nets will help protect some services, but they're limited and don't replace migration. Providers should act now to help remaining customers move."
Rebecca Park, a senior manager at OpenReach, accompanied the post with a video message, saying the deadline is set in stone and urging customers to take immediate action. She said: "The old analogue phone network or the PSTN will close on the 31st of January 2027. That date is not moving. We've already helped move over 70,000 telecare users to digital services through Prove Telecare and we've now put some extra safety nets in place for customers left on the old network when it closes. We've created a temporary voice only service called Emergency Voice Access or EVAC. Basic phone calls can still be made and received including calls to the emergency services."
Limited safety nets and broadband impact
Park warned that capacity is limited, and if too many lines are left in one area, some customers could lose their service. She also noted that without action, some broadband services could be disrupted when the old voice network closes. Where possible, OpenReach will separate and keep broadband working when the voice service is switched off.
She concluded: "The PSTN closes on the 31st of January, 2027. EVAC and broadband retention are temporary and limited safety nets which don't extend the deadline. Don't wait until the last minute and risk your service."
According to the government, telecare is relied upon by approximately 2.3 million people across the UK for purposes including personal alarm pendants, fall detection sensors and home safety buttons. The switchover will see all of these services move to a digital system.
The government says on its PSTN switchover webpage: "New digital phone lines will allow communications providers to offer clearer and higher quality phone calls. They will offer greater reliability, more secure and energy efficient networks and promote economic growth. Digital can also be used to block tens of thousands of calls from scammers every day."
