The UK’s traditional phone network is being switched off for good, and every business will be affected. Whether you’re still on a landline, ISDN, or an ageing PBX system, the time to act is now — and Mother Technologies is here to make your transition smooth, simple, and stress-free.
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the copper-wire phone infrastructure that has connected UK businesses and homes for decades, is being permanently switched off. The new confirmed deadline is January 2027, following an extension from the original December 2025 date.
This means any phone system, broadband connection, or service that relies on the old analogue network will simply stop working. If your business still uses traditional landlines, ISDN lines, or an older PBX phone system, now is the time to act.
And while January 2027 may feel like there’s time to spare, Openreach has already stopped accepting new PSTN and ISDN orders across the UK. The process is well underway, businesses that leave it late risk a rushed, disruptive migration at one of the busiest periods for telecoms providers.
The switch-off affects businesses of all sizes, from sole traders to large enterprises. You’re likely impacted if you use:
If you’re unsure whether your current setup is affected, Mother Technologies can carry out a free assessment for your business.
When the PSTN is switched off in January 2027, any service still running on the old network will simply stop working. That means no dial tone, no incoming calls, and no way to reach customers or suppliers until an emergency migration can be arranged.
It's not just your phones at risk. Broadband connections and other services running over copper lines will be affected too, potentially taking down internet access alongside your communications.
Demand for migration support is already increasing and lead times are growing. Businesses that leave it late face fewer options, higher costs, and a rushed transition, exactly when you can least afford disruption.
Alarms, door entry systems, CCTV, lift lines, and payment terminals that rely on the PSTN will stop functioning. For many businesses, this is the hidden risk that only becomes apparent when it's too late.
The replacement for the PSTN is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) — phone calls delivered over your internet connection rather than copper wires. Cloud-based telephony is faster, more flexible, and packed with features that traditional phone systems simply can’t match.
With a modern VoIP or hosted phone system, your business can benefit from:
VoIP calls are typically significantly cheaper than traditional landline calls
Easily add or remove lines as your business grows or changes
Staff can make and receive calls from anywhere, on any device
Call recording, auto-attendant, call queuing, CRM integration, and more
Calls can be rerouted instantly if there's a problem
At Mother Technologies, we’ve been helping businesses across Scotland navigate technology change for years. The PSTN switch-off is one of the biggest telecoms shifts in a generation, and we’re here to make sure your business comes through it without disruption.
Liberty by Mother Technologies is our cloud-based phone system built in partnership with Mitel, delivering enterprise-grade communications, zero-rated call tariffs, and 24/7 support for businesses of all sizes.
Talk to the team at Mother Technologies today. We’ll assess your current setup, explain your options, and help you move to a modern phone system that works better for your business, well ahead of the January 2027 deadline.