If your business still uses a traditional landline phone system, you need to be aware of one of the biggest changes to UK telecommunications in decades. BT Openreach is switching off the UK’s analogue phone network — and every business that relies on a traditional phone line needs to act before it’s too late.
What Is the Analogue Switch-Off?
The UK’s traditional PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and ISDN phone lines are being permanently switched off by December 2027. This affects every business and home in the UK that uses a traditional landline. Once the switch-off happens, those lines will simply stop working.
BT Openreach has already begun the process, with some exchanges already switched off and more following throughout 2025, 2026 and 2027. If your business hasn’t already moved to a modern alternative, now is the time to start planning.
Who Does This Affect?
The switch-off affects any business using:
- Traditional landline phones (PSTN lines)
- ISDN lines for phone systems or data
- Broadband delivered over copper phone lines
- Fax machines connected to phone lines
- Alarm systems, door entry systems or CCTV connected via phone lines
- Card payment terminals using phone lines
If any of the above applies to your business, you need to make a plan now.
What Should You Replace It With?
The good news is that modern alternatives are better, cheaper and more flexible than the old analogue system. The replacement for traditional phone lines is VoIP — Voice over Internet Protocol.
VoIP uses your internet connection to make and receive calls instead of a copper phone line. It’s already used by millions of businesses worldwide and offers significant advantages over traditional systems.
Benefits of Switching to VoIP
- Cheaper call rates and lower monthly costs than traditional lines
- Make and receive calls from anywhere — office, home or mobile
- Advanced features like call recording, voicemail to email and auto-attendant
- Easily scale up or down as your business grows
- Works seamlessly with Microsoft Teams and other collaboration tools
- No expensive hardware — works on existing computers, smartphones and IP phones
8×8 — Our Recommended VoIP Solution
At ML Services we recommend and supply 8×8’s cloud communications platform for businesses across Sussex. 8×8 combines VoIP phone calls, video conferencing, team messaging and contact centre functionality into one powerful, easy to manage system.
8×8 is trusted by thousands of businesses worldwide, integrates perfectly with Microsoft Teams, and can be set up quickly with minimal disruption to your business. Whether you have 2 staff or 200, 8×8 has a package to suit your needs and budget.
Yealink IP Phones
If you want physical desk phones rather than just using a computer or mobile, we supply and install Yealink’s range of professional IP phones. Yealink phones are plug-and-play, work straight out of the box with 8×8, and give your team a familiar phone experience without the old analogue line.
Don’t Leave It Too Late
With the switch-off deadline approaching and exchanges already going offline across the UK, businesses that leave it too late risk being caught out. Planning and migrating to VoIP takes time — especially if you have multiple phone lines, an existing phone system or other devices connected to your phone lines such as alarms or payment terminals.
We recommend businesses in Sussex start planning their migration now rather than waiting until the last minute when demand for installation engineers will be at its peak.
Free Phone System Review for Sussex Businesses
ML Services is offering a free no-obligation phone system review for businesses across Worthing and Sussex. We’ll assess your current setup, explain exactly what you need to do to be ready for the switch-off, and recommend the most cost-effective solution for your business.
Don’t wait until your phones stop working — contact us today to book your free review.