Landline phones will switch off across Britland in 100 days, no extensions

Openreach has informed communications providers that the legacy public switched telephone network (PSTN) service will be retired on January 31, 2027, and that any customers still on PSTN connections are at risk of disruption. The switch-off is part of a government scheme to transition the UK to all-digital high-speed networks. Customers will need to plug their phones into a broadband router to access a Digital Voice service. This change affects not only households but also businesses and organizations that rely on PSTN connectivity, including those with point-of-sale terminals, fire and security alarms, and personal care alarms. Openreach has been planning this move for over a decade and has already pushed back the deadline once to accommodate vulnerable customers. However, public awareness of the switch-off is reportedly low, with some analysts calling for a more cohesive campaign to inform customers directly.