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Network access provider Openreach (BT) has today outlined the next stage of their closure preparation for the old Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which helps to confirm the plan and service pricing that will occur for consumers that fail to migrate to a modern IP-based digital line alternative by the early 2027 closure deadline.
The PSTN switch-off is currently due to reach its conclusion on 31st January 2027. As a result, broadband, phone, telecare providers, councils and consumers have been working to migrate everybody across (details). But the main focus of this remains on the people who use vital home telecare systems (e.g. elderly, disabled – vulnerable users), which aren’t always compatible with newer IP-based digital phone services (telecare providers were slow to adapt).
At present 1.2 million UK lines (inc. 350,000 business premises) have yet to be migrated (i.e. 15m have already been done). But as we’ve previously reported, consumer lines won’t face a hard disconnection on 31st January 2027 and there will be a temporary Emergency Voice Access (eVAC) solution for those who fail to migrate – a limited last-resort phone service designed to maintain access to essential calls.