COPPER SWITCH-OFF · 31 JANUARY 2027
The copper phone network is switching off. Is your business ready?
The UK’s old copper phone network is being retired on 31 January 2027. Phone lines, alarms, card machines, lift and door entry lines and older broadband that still run on it will stop working unless they’re moved first.
We’ll find everything on your lines, move it to a digital service and keep your phone numbers, so nothing goes quiet on the day.
Or call 0161 660 7471 and we’ll talk it through.
THE COPPER PHONE NETWORK IS SWITCHING OFF
On 31 January 2027 the old copper phone network is retired. Anything still on it stops working unless it's moved first:
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WHAT’S AFFECTED
It’s not just the phones
Lots of equipment quietly uses a phone line. Anything still connected to the copper network when it closes will stop working, often without any warning.
Phone lines
Traditional landlines and the numbers on them. Your numbers can move with you to a digital phone system.
Alarms and monitoring
Intruder and fire alarms that call a monitoring centre, plus telecare and lone-worker alarms.
Card machines
Payment terminals that dial out over a phone line instead of broadband or mobile data.
Lifts, door entry and gates
Lift emergency phones, door entry systems and gate intercoms with their own line.
Fax and franking
Fax machines and older franking machines that send over a phone line.
Broadband on a phone line
ADSL and broadband that comes with a phone line. It moves to a broadband-only line or full fibre.
WHY MOVE NOW
Leaving it to the last minute is the risky bit
The switch-off has been coming for years, but plenty of businesses still have something on a copper line that nobody remembers. Moving early means it’s done on a date that suits you, and tested properly.
- ✓No new copper lines can be ordered, and faults on old ones are getting slower to fix
- ✓Some areas are switched before the final date, exchange by exchange
- ✓Alarms and lift lines can stop working silently, so you may not know until it matters
- ✓Engineers and number moves get booked up as the deadline gets closer
HOW IT WORKS
We do the moving for you
1. Check
We find every line at your premises and what’s plugged into it, including the ones nobody remembers.
2. Plan
A clear plan and quote for each one: new broadband, digital phones, and what your alarm or card machine needs.
3. Move
Everything moves on an agreed date and your phone numbers come with you.
4. Test
We check it all works, including test calls from alarms and lifts, before the old lines are stopped.
WHAT YOU MOVE TO
Digital replacements that just work
Business broadband
A broadband-only line or full fibre, depending on what’s available at your address. No phone line needed.
Business phones
A cloud phone system from £10 per user a month + VAT, with 2,000 UK minutes each. Keep your existing numbers.
Alarms, card machines and lifts
We work with your alarm company or equipment provider to move them to a digital or 4G connection, then test them.
QUESTIONS
Copper switch-off FAQs
When is the copper phone network switched off?
The old copper network (often called the PSTN) is being retired on 31 January 2027. Some exchanges are moved over before then, so it’s worth acting now rather than waiting for the date.
Will we lose our phone numbers?
No. Your numbers can move to a digital phone system, and we handle the move for you. Keep your current lines active until we confirm the move is complete.
Our broadband is fibre. Are we affected?
Possibly. Many “fibre” connections still come with a copper phone line that’s being withdrawn. If you pay for line rental, or your broadband came with a phone number, it needs moving to a broadband-only line or full fibre.
What about our alarm, card machine or lift line?
These often use a phone line without anyone realising. Some will need a digital or 4G connection fitted by your alarm company or equipment provider. We’ll find out what each one uses and help arrange the change, then test it.
What happens if we do nothing?
Anything still on a copper line will stop working when the network is closed in your area. For phones that means no calls in or out. For alarms and lift lines it may not be obvious until they’re needed.
Does this only affect BT customers?
No. It affects every provider that uses the old copper network, whoever sends your bill.
What happens in a power cut?
Digital phones need power and an internet connection, unlike the old lines. Calls can be forwarded to a mobile automatically, and we recommend keeping a mobile handy for 999 calls. Battery backup is available if you need it.
How much does it cost to move?
The check is free. After that it depends on what you have: digital phones start at £10 per user a month + VAT, and moving a number is a one-off charge from £15. We’ll give you a clear quote before anything changes.
FREE CHECK
Find out what’s on your lines
Answer three quick questions and we’ll call you within one working day to go through what needs moving. No obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call 0161 660 7471 or email hello@posilan.com