Openreach warns businesses: just six months left before the UK's old phone network is switched off
· 350k businesses still to be migrated as Openreach urges Communications Providers to act now
Openreach is urging Communications Providers (CPs) and their business customers to hurry up with plans to move off UK's old phone network, known as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), before it’s retired on 31 January 2027.
The warning comes as Openreach launches its Big Switch Off campaign, which is focused on the providers and businesses who are yet to make a move to new digital services ahead of the deadline.
Openreach estimates around 1.5 million lines are still operating on the old copper-based phone network, including around 350k business premises.
Many organisations still depend on PSTN-connected services such as payment terminals, lift alarms, security systems, and other critical operational technologies. But once the legacy network is withdrawn, services may stop working unless they’ve been upgraded or replaced with digital alternatives.
Businesses that delay the move risk significant disruption, operational challenges and significant unnecessary costs. And with the industry entering the final phase of migration, waiting too long could also make it harder to secure the engineering support needed before the deadline.
Openreach has separately introduced pricing changes to encourage migration away from legacy services. Rental prices for Openreach’s Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) basic product and other WLR variants increased by 40 per cent rise in July and will rise by a further 40 per cent in October, taking rental charges to double the current rental price.
At the same time Openreach introduced a range of offers to support migration to alternative, more reliable products – so migrating to fibre can now often be a cheaper alternative for customers. *
Openreach will now begin issuing formal notifications to Communications Providers with outstanding migrations, reinforcing the urgency of the transition and encouraging providers to engage customers who have yet to make plans.
James Lilley, Director of All-IP at Openreach, said: "The PSTN switch-off is now just six months away and there is no extension to the deadline. While millions of customers and many providers and businesses have already made great progress, too many organisations remain exposed to unnecessary risk by delaying their migration plans.
"Inaction is no longer about uncertainty but preparedness, and those who wait risk leaving customers exposed to avoidable service disruption. The consequences go beyond technical issues – they can lead to lost revenue, operational difficulties and a poorer experience for customers.
"The message is simple: act now. Businesses should speak to their service provider today, understand which services could be affected, and make sure they have a clear migration plan in place well before January 2027."
The move away from the PSTN is part of the UK's wider digital transformation, replacing technology that has served the country for decades with modern, IP-based services that are capable of supporting the connectivity needs of today's economy.
Openreach has consistently emphasises the need for businesses and providers to prepare early, warning that organisations that leave migration until the final weeks risks avoidable disruption and costs.
Any businesses that are unsure whether they're affected should contact their communications provider as soon as possible.
For further information about the move to digital phone services, visit: Upgrading the UK to digital phone lines | Openreach
ENDS
Notes to editors
WLR Price increases:
· On 1 April 2026 the WLR basic rental price rose from the current price of £10.65 by 20%. The rental price was also raised for other WLR variants
· On 1 July 2026 the WLR basic rental price rose by 40% of the current price. The rental price also rose for other WLR variants
· On 1 October 2026 the WLR basic rental price will rise by a further 40% of the current price. This will be to double the current rental price. The rental price will also rise for other WLR variants.
*Pricing incentives to encourage digital migration:
· Openreach has added to a number of existing migration incentives by launching a connection special offer – providing free or discounted connection for Communication Providers (CPs) who upgrade their customers to SOGEA - an alternative service providing a digital line where full fibre is not yet available.
· The connection offer complements existing incentives, including the Equinox pricing scheme, ‘try before you buy’ offer for new-to-network Full Fibre orders, as well as a recently launched special offer on existing Ethernet Access Direct (EAD) lines for speeds of 1Gbps or below.
· Openreach offers free connection for CPs migrating customers on legacy voice only lines.
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