The phone switch-off is one of those jobs that's easy to keep putting off - until prices rise or the deadline looms. This checklist breaks the move into clear, manageable steps so you can switch off your analogue lines calmly and on your own terms, with nothing left behind.
Why act now
The analogue network (the PSTN) switches off on 31 January 2027, you can no longer order new analogue lines, and legacy line rental is rising through 2026. Acting early is cheaper and calmer than waiting. Here's the order to do it in.
Step 1: Audit what you have
You can't plan a move until you know what's connected. List:
- Every phone line and number (including any DDI ranges).
- Whether you're on analogue or ISDN, and how many channels.
- All non-phone devices on the line - alarms, lifts, card machines, fax, door entry. See devices that rely on phone lines.
- Your current costs and contract end dates.
Step 2: Check your connectivity
Your replacement runs over the internet, so confirm your connection is up to it:
- Is full fibre available, or do you need SoGEA for now?
- Is there enough speed and headroom for calls? See internet speed for VoIP.
- Do you need failover for resilience?
Step 3: Choose your replacement
Match your needs to an option from our analogue line replacement guide:
- Single simple line? A Digital Voice line.
- A team or call handling? A hosted phone system.
- Keeping an existing PBX? SIP trunks - see SIP vs hosted.
Sanity-check the budget against our cost guide.
Step 4: Plan number porting
Your numbers are precious - protect them:
- Confirm every number and DDI is included in the port.
- Check account details match to avoid rejections.
- Agree a port date - and never cease the old line first. See keeping your landline number.
Step 5: Sort resilience and devices
- Arrange battery backup / failover so calls survive outages - see landline resilience.
- Migrate alarms, lifts and card machines with the right specialists.
- Prioritise anything safety-critical.
Step 6: Test, then cease
- Test calls in and out, features, and DDIs on the new service.
- Confirm devices work on their new solution.
- Only then cease the old analogue/ISDN lines to stop paying rising rental.
Quick timeline
| When | Do this |
|---|---|
| Now | Audit lines, numbers and devices |
| Early | Check connectivity, choose replacement |
| Before any move/peak | Port numbers, set up resilience |
| Cutover | Test thoroughly |
| After testing | Cease legacy lines |
The bottom line
The switch-off is very manageable when you treat it as a short, ordered project: audit, check connectivity, choose, port, sort resilience and devices, then test and cease. Do it early and you'll save money and avoid the rush. Want a guided switch with nothing missed? Explore our Cloud Telephony service or request a callback.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare my business for the phone line switch-off?
Treat it as a short project: audit your lines, numbers and line-connected devices; check your connectivity; choose a replacement; plan number porting; sort resilience and critical devices; then test and only cease the old lines once everything works.
What's most often forgotten in switch-off planning?
Two things: non-phone devices like alarms, lifts and card machines that also use the line, and the timing of number porting - never cease the old line before the number has ported.
When should I start preparing for the switch-off?
Now. New analogue lines can't be ordered, legacy line rental is rising through 2026, and the network switches off on 31 January 2027. Starting early means lower costs and a calmer, tested cutover.
Do I lose my numbers in the switch-off?
No, provided you port them in time. Make sure every number and DDI range is included in the port, account details match, and the old line is only ceased after the numbers are live on the new service.
