5 September 2023
National stop-sell began
New WLR-based services generally stopped being available. Existing services still need an active migration plan.
The analogue network is closing. Is every critical line accounted for?
For organisations using the BT/Openreach network, the PSTN retirement deadline is 31 January 2027. Phone systems are only the visible part: alarms, lifts, payment terminals and building controls may also depend on legacy lines.
31JAN2027
Openreach PSTN retirement
National WLR stop-sell has applied since 5 September 2023. Some communications providers may set earlier migration dates.
The change in one minute.
The Public Switched Telephone Network and the Wholesale Line Rental products that depend on it are being withdrawn. Calls and compatible services are moving to internet protocol—usually described as All-IP, digital voice or VoIP.
Where available, Fibre to the Premises provides an all-fibre data connection. SOGEA provides broadband without a traditional analogue phone service. The right route depends on location, resilience, equipment compatibility and the operational importance of each line.
Act now
Audit, design and test
Find every dependent device, agree the target service and test critical functions before ceasing a line.
31 January 2027
PSTN retirement
Businesses using the Openreach network should be migrated before the old network is retired.
The desk phone is only the obvious line.
Any device that dials, receives calls or sends data through an analogue or ISDN circuit needs to be identified and checked. Compatibility varies by equipment and provider.
Telephony
Analogue desk phones, ISDN2 and ISDN30 circuits, PBX switchboards, fax machines and legacy conference phones.
Security and safety
Fire and intruder alarms, lift emergency lines, telecare or medical devices, CCTV diallers and lone-worker systems.
Facilities and payments
EPOS and card terminals, door-entry and intercom systems, building-management sensors, telemetry and remote monitoring.
Broadband and data
ADSL services and FTTC connections delivered with a traditional phone line, plus equipment that expects analogue signalling.
Digital services change your resilience assumptions.
PowerDigital voice and connected devices may stop during a local power cut unless appropriate backup is designed.
ConnectivityCritical calling and monitoring depend on the availability and resilience of the data connection.
Emergency useTest emergency calling, location information, alarm signalling and recovery—not just an ordinary outbound call.
A six-step route to a controlled migration.
Do not cease a line because its number looks unused. Trace the equipment, owner and operational purpose first.
- Build the line register.Map every active number, circuit, site, bill, device and responsible owner.
- Classify operational risk.Record safety, compliance, emergency-calling and power-failure requirements.
- Confirm connectivity.Check FTTP, SOGEA or other suitable data options and decide where backup connectivity is justified.
- Design the target service.Select compatible digital voice, SIP, cloud calling or device-specific connectivity and confirm number portability.
- Coordinate every supplier.Involve alarm, lift, payment and equipment maintainers. Register critical usage through your provider’s account or support route where offered.
- Test before cease.Prove calls, alarms, failover, power continuity and escalation, then document the result before closing the legacy service.
What to record for every line.
A complete register turns unknown dependencies into a migration plan your operational teams can own.
- Telephone number or circuit reference
- Site, floor and physical termination point
- Connected device and equipment maintainer
- Current communications provider and contract date
- Business owner and operational purpose
- Criticality, emergency use and power requirement
- Target service, migration date and porting status
- Test evidence and final cease approval
Questions businesses are asking.
Start with the equipment and operational outcome. The replacement is not always another phone service.
Does every analogue or ISDN device stop working automatically?
Not necessarily, but it must not be assumed compatible. Ask the equipment maintainer and communications provider to confirm the supported digital route, then test it before the legacy line is ceased.
Can we keep our existing telephone numbers?
Often yes, through a planned number port. Availability depends on the number, current provider and target service, so portability should be confirmed before any cancellation.
Do we need FTTP at every site?
No. FTTP is a strong option where available, while SOGEA and other business connectivity services can also support All-IP communications. Capacity, resilience and site availability should guide the choice.
What happens during a power or broadband failure?
Unlike a traditional line-powered phone, digital services normally depend on local power and connectivity. Critical sites may need an uninterruptible power supply, diverse connectivity, mobile failover or a documented alternative calling route.
Who should check alarms, lifts and payment terminals?
Contact the organisation that supplies or maintains each device as well as your communications provider. Record their compatibility advice and require an end-to-end test after migration.
Should we wait for our provider to contact us?
No. A multi-site or equipment-heavy estate needs time for discovery, supplier coordination, ordering, number porting and testing. Begin the audit now, even if a migration notice has not arrived.
Check the official guidance.
Timetables and provider processes can change. Review Openreach’s business update, UK Government guidance, Ofcom’s digital landline guidance and your own provider’s instructions before acting.
Find every dependency before the deadline finds it.
Bring your bills, number ranges, site list and known devices. We will help shape the audit and identify a practical migration route.