Explainers
PSTN Switch Off UK: What Every Landline User Needs to Know
You may have heard that the UK's landline network is changing. It's called the PSTN switch off. This short video explains what it means in plain English, why it's happening, and the one thing to check if anyone in your home uses a care or telecare service.
Common questions
What is the PSTN switch off?
It's the retirement of the UK's old copper phone network. Traditionally, landline calls ran over copper cables into a white master socket in your home. Calls are moving to digital, where your phone plugs into your router instead. The traditional network is very old and harder to maintain, so the UK is upgrading to modern digital technology.
Will my landline still work?
Yes. Your number and your phone carry on. The change is how the call travels: instead of plugging your phone into the wall socket, it plugs into your router and the call runs over your broadband. It's a simple switch, and for most people nothing about using the phone changes.
I use a care line or telecare alarm. What should I do?
Check that it's compatible with digital phone services before the switch, because some older equipment relied on the copper line directly. The quickest way is to contact your care line provider and ask. If you're an Inspire Telecom customer and want help, reach out to the team and we'll talk it through.
When is the PSTN switch off happening?
It's being rolled out area by area as the network is upgraded, with the national switch off scheduled for January 2027. Your provider will tell you when your line is due to move. There's nothing you need to do in advance beyond checking any care line or alarm equipment.
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