More than two million people across Britain rely on a service that is due to be switched off within weeks. The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the conventional copper analogue telephone network, is moving over to a digital system. The plan is for the bulk of the system to be shut down in January 2027, with those whose landline service is combined with their broadband connection receiving it digitally instead.
The technology underpinning the landline network is being withdrawn by the telecommunications industry as problems with the system mount. The PSTN has been in operation for many decades, but officials say it has now reached the end of its functional lifespan.
Telecare users affected by the switchover
Among the systems dependent on PSTN is telecare. AgeUK says the system uses technology to enable people to live more independently and securely in their own homes - such as a device that triggers an alert if gas is accidentally left on, or a personal alarm enabling someone to summon assistance following a fall. Those households will be affected by the switchover.
Telecoms companies have been working alongside local councils to pinpoint telecare users. Companies are also reportedly providing extra support to telecare users during the transition, including free engineering visits and battery back-ups for telecare equipment and landlines where necessary.
OpenReach issues urgent warning
OpenReach, the body responsible for overseeing the physical telephone network, has published a new message on X alerting customers that the deadline is rapidly approaching and urging them not to put it off - 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, delivered a video message alongside the post. 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."
Capacity is limited. So if too many lines are left in one area, some customers could lose their service. And there's another important change. "Without action, some broadband services could be disrupted when the old voice network closes. So where it's possible, we'll separate and keep the broadband so it'll carry on working when the voice service gets switched off. So to recap, 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."
Government urges action as deadline nears
Around 2.3 million people across the UK rely on telecare for essential services including personal alarm pendants, fall detection sensors, and home safety buttons, the government says. The switchover will result in these services moving to a digital platform.
The government states on its PSTN switchover webpage: "Suppliers are no longer manufacturing spare parts and repairs of the network now rely on recycling parts from decommissioned parts of the network. Ofcom, the independent telecommunications regulator, reported that 2024 saw a 45% increase in the number of PSTN incidents reported. In 2024/25 there were over 2,600 major incidents on the PSTN.
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."
