The UK’s move to retire the old analogue phone network (PSTN and ISDN) hit a pause in 2024, after providers and Ofcom raised concerns about vulnerable customers and devices — think alarms, lifts and care lines — that quietly depend on old copper lines.
The pause is not a reprieve. The network is still being switched off; the timeline has simply shifted, now targeting early 2027. Any business still running analogue lines, ISDN or an older phone system needs a migration plan.
Why this matters
- The deadline moved, not vanished — analogue lines are still going away.
- Hidden dependencies bite — alarms, lifts, PDQ machines and door entry often use old lines.
- It’s an upgrade opportunity — VoIP and Teams calling usually mean better features for less.
- Plan, don’t panic — early migration avoids a rushed, costly switch.
What we’d advise
We audit what depends on your old lines, then plan and deliver the move to modern VoIP or Microsoft Teams calling — so the switch is seamless and ends up an upgrade, not a scramble.
Source: Ofcom and Openreach industry updates, 2024.