Updated September 2026
The UK business landline switch-off, without the jargon
BT intends to retire the old Openreach public switched telephone network on 31 January 2027. Telephone calls will instead use digital services running over an internet connection.
What may need checking?
- Telephone handsets and extension wiring.
- Security, fire and care alarms.
- Lift emergency telephones and door-entry systems.
- Fax machines and older payment terminals.
- Broadband routers, analogue adapters and battery backup.
Will you lose the number?
Moving to a digital service does not automatically mean changing your number. However, number transfers must be planned. Never cancel the old service until the receiving provider has confirmed what it needs and how the transfer will proceed.
What happens in a power cut?
A traditional line could carry its own power. A digital telephone normally relies on the broadband router and mains electricity. Businesses that depend on continuous calling should ask about battery backup, mobile diversion and resilient connectivity.
The five-question provider checklist
- Can you retain every existing number?
- Will existing phones and connected devices work?
- What happens during a broadband or power failure?
- Can calls ring on mobiles as well as desk phones?
- Are call charges, number rental and add-ons clearly itemised?
Primary source: Ofcom, “Your landline is going digital: what you need to know”, updated 26 August 2026. Always confirm your circumstances with providers and equipment suppliers.