The technology that is currently used to make traditional phone calls is changing. The old analogue technology is becoming obsolete and will be replaced with a digital network, also called an ‘IP network’.
The analogue phone network is fast approaching it’s end of life. It’s decades old and the aging infrastructure will soon no longer able to be maintained.
To meet these modern requirements and prevent the likelihood of increased failure rates of the legacy network, telecommunications providers are moving their customer base onto more future-proof telephone services.
Where possible, many of the new services will be run over fibre optic connections. These not only offer faster speeds but are more reliable and resilient. Voice calls will be carried over a digital line via a router – in the same way your broadband works.
This is happening now, with the transition due to be completed over the next few years.
Since 2018, telecoms companies have worked collaboratively with industry, the communications regulator Ofcom, Government, and industry bodies representing security, health and critical national infrastructure who use the analogue network to prepare them for this change.
PSTN stands for ‘Public Switched Telephone Network’. It is based on analogue technology that is designed to connect voice calls across physical lines from network to network all across the world. IP telephony however, is completely digital and sends voice calls as data.
All Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) products such as WLR3 analogue, ISDN 2, ISDN 30, LLU SMPF, SLU SMPF, Narrowband Line Share and Classic products. When the PSTN closes, these products will no longer be available.
Your provider will contact you with information at the appropriate time. In the meantime, this website contains information that might be helpful.
Ofcom is the regulator for the communications sector. It sets rules for our sector to ensure that consumers get a good deal and that vulnerable consumers receive the support they need.
Yes, in most cases you can keep your telephone number using the switching process. However, if you move address then you may not be able to. It is always better to check with your landline provider.
You may need to change your phone if it is a very old one and not compatible with the new system, for example, if it has an older style plug where it connects to the wall. You should check with your landline provider.
You may not need one but check this your landline provider.
You will have a choice. Your providers will contact you about options available. You will also have a choice to switch to another completely different provider.
Many services that rely on the PSTN will be affected. For example, traffic lights, telemetry devices, burglar alarms, telecare alarms and pendants, dialysis machines, monitoring devices, phones in lifts, fax machines, payment terminals and ATMs.
The text relay service and text phones will also be affected. Text relay is also available via the free Relay UK app which offers additional features and is unaffected by the move to IP. The app can be used on any connected device (smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC). Click here to access more information about the Relay UK app.
Several models of textphone have been tested at the BT Digital Services lab. This testing showed that it is possible to make both textphone-to-textphone and text relay calls on IP networks, although the quality of the call can be affected by packet loss or other data loading on the line.
Fax machines are analogue devices and are not designed to work over IP networks. If your fax machine is very old it is unlikely to work, so you may need to reconfigure it or connect it to an adaptor of some sort that translates analogue signals to IP packets.
Most modern devices should be compatible. If you do use one of these devices, it’s really important that you check with the company that supplied the equipment to you.
The new system will be powered by your home electricity so if there is a power cut it will mean that you will not be able to make or receive landline calls. It is similar to how the current DECT (cordless) home phones work today. If you have a mobile phone this can be used in the event of a power cut.
Let your home phone provider know if you are about to move to the new service and you have no alternative method of calling the emergency services. For example:
In these cases, your provider should offer you a solution to allow you to call the emergency services, at the very least, during a power cut.
If other equipment you use needs to be plugged into your phone socket, for example, text relay equipment, fax machines, care alarms, burglar alarms and security systems, these will not work over the phone line in a power cut. So, it’s really important that you tell both your phone provider and the company that supplies you with the special equipment.
Ofcom published some guidance for organisations when there is a power cut at a customer’s premises, which said that people using a textphone on a fixed line may need protection. It also said that tailored solutions for text relay users may be necessary. Click here to see Ofcom’s guidance.
Yes, many countries in Europe and across the world are also in the process of upgrading their landline networks to IP.
Products that are being withdrawn in 2025 include WLR3 analogue, ISDN 2, ISDN 30, LLU SMPF, SLU SMPF, Narrowband Line Share and Classic products.
WLR3 provides basic voice lines; ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) products are designed for the digital transmission of data and voice over ordinary copper wires and relies on the PSTN to work.
Information on changes for Virgin Media customers
https://www.virginmedia.com/help/home-phone/virginphone
Information on changes for BT customers
https://www.bt.com/about/all-ip
Information for providers on Openreach’s WLR withdrawal for consumer market
https://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/home/products/wlrwithdrawal/wlrwithdrawal.do
Information for providers on Openreach’s WLR withdrawal for the business market
https://www.ciz-openreach.co.uk/Business/content/474/WLR-withdrawal-Are-you-ready-
Information on changes for TalkTalk residential customers
https://www.talktalk.co.uk/shop/content/voip
Information on changes for TalkTalk Business Direct customers
https://www.talktalkbusiness.co.uk/voip/
Information on changes for TalkTalk Business Partners
