When Will BT Landlines Stop Working?
PSTN SWITCH-OFF • DIGITAL VOICE • 31 JANUARY 2027 • WHAT CUSTOMERS NEED TO DO
BT’s old analogue landlines are due to stop using the PSTN by 31 January 2027.
That does not mean BT home phones disappear on that date. The old Public Switched Telephone Network is being retired and customers are being moved to digital alternatives, mainly BT Digital Voice.
For most BT broadband customers, the biggest visible change is that the phone connects through the broadband hub rather than directly into the traditional wall phone socket.
What actually stops working in January 2027?
The technology underneath the traditional landline is changing. The idea of having a home phone number is not being abolished.
| Part of your landline | What happens | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| Old analogue PSTN voice service | ENDS | The legacy phone network is due to be retired by 31 January 2027. |
| Your home phone number | STAYS | BT says customers moving to Digital Voice can normally keep their existing number. |
| Your existing handset | USUALLY STAYS | BT says more than 99% of existing home phone handsets are compatible. |
| Where the phone plugs in | CHANGES | Digital Voice phones normally connect to the broadband hub or a compatible adaptor. |
| BT home phone service | CONTINUES | BT continues to provide home phone services using digital technology. |
The 2027 deadline is mainly about retiring the analogue PSTN. It does not mean every copper cable suddenly disappears on 31 January. Openreach says some copper can remain temporarily for broadband technologies such as FTTC until Full Fibre reaches the area.
What happens when BT switches your line?
BT says the normal move to Digital Voice is designed to be straightforward and does not itself add a charge or extend your contract.
BT says customers are contacted in advance and normally receive at least four weeks’ notice before a Digital Voice migration.
If you do not already have suitable equipment, BT can provide the hub, adaptor or other kit needed for the change.
Most customers then connect the home phone to the Smart Hub instead of the old wall phone socket.
You can continue making and receiving calls, normally using the same phone number.
BT said on 16 September 2026 that more than 95% of its consumer customers had already moved to digital landlines. The company is now urging remaining customers not to ignore switchover messages as the January 2027 deadline approaches.
What if you have not switched by 31 January 2027?
The safest option is to complete the migration before the old service is withdrawn.
Openreach says customers who have not moved in time may receive a limited temporary service called Emergency Voice and Access Continuity (EVAc). It is designed to preserve basic voice access for a limited period, but it may not support every feature or service you use today.
EVAc is a fallback, not an alternative to migrating. If BT has contacted you about Digital Voice, respond before the old analogue service is retired.
Will BT Digital Voice work in a power cut?
Some corded phones could stay powered
A traditional landline could supply enough power down the line for a basic corded handset during some household power cuts.
Your home equipment needs electricity
The hub and other required equipment need power. Without a backup solution, the normal digital landline can stop working during an outage.
Ofcom says providers must make sure customers who depend on their landline can contact the emergency services during a power cut. Where someone does not have a working mobile or reliable mobile signal, the provider must offer an appropriate backup solution free of charge with at least one hour of emergency-call resilience.
BT says extra support can include free engineer visits and backup-power options. It also has an Emergency Hybrid Home Phone for some Digital Voice customers, which can use a mobile connection for emergency calls during a broadband or power failure.
For the full explanation, see Will My Digital Landline Work During a Power Cut?
What if you use a care alarm or medical pendant?
Do not assume equipment connected to an old phone line will automatically work after the migration.
Ofcom says customers should tell both their landline provider and their device supplier if they use a telecare alarm, health pendant, personal alarm, security system or another device connected to the telephone line.
If you rely on telecare equipment: contact BT and the organisation that supplies or monitors the device before the line changes. Compatibility needs to be confirmed rather than assumed.
What if you have a BT landline but no broadband?
You do not necessarily have to buy a broadband package simply to keep a home phone.
BT currently offers Home Phone Standard for eligible landline-only customers. BT says these customers can keep their existing phone number, do not need a new phone and do not need to take broadband purely to retain the home phone service.
Government guidance also recognises interim dedicated landline services for people who do not use broadband, allowing them to leave the old PSTN while retaining a familiar home phone service.
What should BT landline customers do now?
If you are also reviewing whether BT is still the right provider for you, see our BT Broadband Review and BT Broadband Pros and Cons.
BT’s old analogue landlines are due to stop operating on the PSTN by 31 January 2027, but BT landline services are not disappearing. Most customers are moving to Digital Voice, where the phone works through the broadband hub instead of the traditional wall socket. If you are still on the old system, respond when BT contacts you and make sure any telecare or power-cut backup needs are dealt with before the switch.
BT landline switch-off FAQs
Will my BT landline stop working on 31 January 2027?
Your old analogue PSTN service is due to be retired by 31 January 2027, but BT is moving customers to digital alternatives so they can keep a home phone service. If BT has contacted you about the change, respond and complete the migration to avoid disruption.
Can I keep my BT landline number after the switch?
Yes. BT says customers moving to Digital Voice can normally keep their existing home phone number.
Do I need BT broadband to keep a landline?
Not necessarily. BT has a Home Phone Standard service for eligible landline-only customers, and its current guidance says you do not need to take broadband simply to keep a home phone service.
Related pages
Sources
- BT: Digital Switchover — current BT overview of the analogue-to-digital migration, notice, compatibility and additional support.
- BT Newsroom, 16 September 2026 — BT’s latest update saying more than 95% of Consumer customers have moved to digital landlines.
- BT Digital Voice — service and equipment information.
- BT: Moving to Digital Voice — migration and additional-support guidance.
- BT: Home phone without broadband — Home Phone Standard information for landline-only customers.
- Openreach: PSTN switch-off — 31 January 2027 deadline and EVAc information.
- Openreach: traditional phone lines are going digital — consumer guidance on the change.
- Ofcom: Your landline is going digital — power cuts, telecare, emergency calls and additional support.
- GOV.UK: Moving landlines to digital technologies — government guidance on the January 2027 migration.