The PSTN switch-off is the planned retirement of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the UK's traditional analogue phone network, with phone services moving to digital connections delivered over broadband. In short, the old copper-based landline technology is being phased out, and home phones are moving to a digital system, often called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or digital voice, that works through your internet connection rather than a separate analogue line.
The short answer for most households is that your landline number can usually be kept, but the way the service is delivered changes, and some equipment that relied on the old line may need checking. The switch-off has been progressing across the country and is due to complete in the coming period, so it is worth understanding what it means for you.
This guide explains what the switch-off involves, why it is happening, how it affects your phone and broadband, and the practical steps to take. Because timelines and processes are managed by providers and the network operator and can change, confirm the details for your situation with your provider.
What is the PSTN switch-off?
The PSTN is the analogue network that has carried traditional landline calls for decades, using copper lines. The switch-off is the process of retiring this network and moving phone services onto digital technology that runs over an internet connection. Instead of a call travelling over a dedicated analogue line, it is carried as data over your broadband.
This is sometimes described as the move to digital voice or VoIP. For many homes, the practical effect is that the landline plugs into a router or a digital adapter rather than directly into the wall socket as before. The phone number itself can usually be retained, so the change is mainly about how the service is delivered.
The switch-off is a national, planned transition rather than a sudden event, and it has been rolling out in stages. Because it affects how phone services work, it is relevant even to households that rarely use a landline, since some other devices have historically relied on the analogue line.
Why is it happening?
The broad reason is that the analogue network is ageing and increasingly difficult to maintain, while modern communications are built around digital, internet-based technology. Moving phone services onto digital connections aligns the phone network with how data and calls are now carried, and supports the wider shift toward full-fibre broadband.
The transition is a long-planned industry change overseen within the UK telecommunications framework, with providers migrating customers over time. Retiring the old network simplifies the infrastructure and moves everyone onto a more current system, rather than maintaining decades-old analogue equipment indefinitely.
For households, the change is generally aimed at maintaining phone service on a modern foundation. The main thing to understand is that it is happening across the country in stages, so most homes will be migrated at some point, and knowing what to expect helps you prepare.
How does it affect your phone and broadband?
The most noticeable change is how your landline connects. With digital voice, the phone typically plugs into your router or a digital adapter rather than the traditional wall socket, and the call travels over your broadband connection. Your landline number can usually be kept, so you do not necessarily lose your familiar number.
Because the phone now depends on your broadband and on power, there are practical points to consider. The table below summarises the main effects.
| Aspect | What changes |
|---|---|
| Landline connection | Phone connects via the router or adapter |
| Your number | Usually able to be kept |
| Power dependence | Digital voice needs power and broadband |
| Other devices | Some equipment may need checking |
The table shows that the change is mainly about delivery and dependence. Because digital voice relies on power and broadband, a power cut can affect the phone differently from the old analogue line, which is an important consideration for some households, particularly those who rely on a landline in an emergency.
What steps should you take?
A few practical steps help you prepare. If you have a landline, check with your provider when your service will move to digital voice and what the process involves, since this is managed by your provider over time. Confirm whether your phone number will be retained and how your phone will connect after the change.
It is also important to consider any equipment that has relied on the analogue line, such as some alarm systems, telecare devices, or other connected equipment, and to check whether they will work with the digital service. If anyone in your household relies on a landline for safety, ask your provider about arrangements for power cuts and vulnerable users.
Because the switch-off is managed by providers and the timeline can change, the dependable approach is to confirm the details with your provider rather than assuming. They can tell you when your service will move, what to expect, and what you may need to check or arrange.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my landline number in the switch-off?
Usually not. Most households can keep their existing landline number when moving to digital voice, since the change is mainly about how the service is delivered rather than the number itself. Confirm with your provider that your number will be retained during the migration.
Do I need broadband to keep a home phone?
With digital voice, the phone service runs over an internet connection, so a broadband connection is generally involved. If you do not currently have broadband, your provider can explain the options for keeping a phone service as the analogue network is retired.
What happens to my phone in a power cut?
Because digital voice depends on power and broadband, a power cut can affect it differently from the old analogue line, which drew power from the network. If you rely on a landline in emergencies, ask your provider about back-up arrangements and support for vulnerable users.
When will my service be switched over?
The switch-off is happening in stages across the country, managed by providers over time, and is due to complete in the coming period. For your specific timing, confirm with your provider when your service will move to digital voice and what the process involves.
Conclusion
The PSTN switch-off retires the UK's old analogue phone network and moves phone services onto digital connections that run over broadband. For most households, the landline number can be kept, but the phone connects via the router and now depends on power and broadband, and some equipment that relied on the analogue line may need checking. The transition is happening in stages across the country. Because timing and processes are managed by providers and can change, confirm the details for your situation with your provider.
