Openreach confirm post-January 2027 measures for UK analogue phone switch-off UPDATE

Network access provider Openreach (BT) has today outlined the next stage of their closure preparation for the old Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which helps to confirm the plan and service pricing that will occur for consumers that fail to migrate to a modern IP-based digital line alternative by the early 2027 closure deadline.

The PSTN switch-off is currently due to reach its conclusion on 31st January 2027. As a result, broadband, phone, telecare providers, councils and consumers have been working to migrate everybody across (details). But the main focus of this remains on the people who use vital home telecare systems (e.g. elderly, disabled – vulnerable users), which aren’t always compatible with newer IP-based digital phone services (telecare providers were slow to adapt).

At present 1.2 million UK lines (inc. 350,000 business premises) have yet to be migrated (i.e. 15m have already been done). But as we’ve previously reported, consumer lines won’t face a hard disconnection on 31st January 2027 and there will be a temporary Emergency Voice Access (eVAC) solution for those who fail to migrate – a limited last-resort phone service designed to maintain access to essential calls.

Business lines, however, weren’t previously due to benefit from the same protection and would have needed to go digital ASAP to avoid a sudden loss of service – potentially impacting critical systems like payment terminals, alarms, and emergency lift phones etc. Some of the latter lines may have been forgotten about over the years.

What has Openreach confirmed today?

Firstly, Openreach has revealed that the eVAC solution will, where “technically possible“, now also keep linked broadband services running (this is reflects legacy ADSL, FTTC/VDSL and G.fast lines). The original plan suggested that eVAC would be a voice-only solution (i.e. no broadband), so this is a useful development. But Openreach makes clear that this might not work for every line.

Crucially, this additional protection will be available to “both residential and business customers” (business lines would previously have been completely cut-off), including some who may not realise their broadband depends on the PSTN. It could help maintain access to essential online services and safeguard business connectivity while providers complete the remaining upgrades.

EVAc will cost Communications Providers £35 a month (exc. VAT) for WLR3 Basic and £38.60 for WLR Premium (this is the wholesale cost, so you’ll pay more at retail). The service is temporary, limited and more expensive than modern digital alternatives already available through providers. It is intended as a final safety net while providers complete customer migrations to modern digital alternatives.

The PSTN closure date remains unchanged. Broadband retention doesn’t extend the deadline, and providers remain responsible for helping customers move before the network closes.

James Lilley, Managed Customer Migrations Director at Openreach, said:

“No one should wait for the PSTN to close before upgrading. Providers need to contact their remaining customers and help them move to a modern service now. But we also need a final safety net and preserving eligible broadband connections will reduce the risk of vulnerable people, businesses and essential services losing connectivity unexpectedly.

EVAc is temporary, limited and more expensive than modern alternatives. It gives providers additional protection while they complete the job, but it’s not a reason to delay.”

Openreach has also sped up the upgrade process, while aiming to keeping vulnerable customers safe, with the introduction of its Prove Telecare service – where specially trained engineers visit homes to test telecare devices and make sure they work on a new digital line before customers are upgraded. “To date, we’ve safely upgraded more than 70,000 customers with telecare devices,” said Openreach today.

So while this isn’t strictly a delay to the original closure date, it does appear to give those remaining consumer and business lines one last chance to change past the deadline.

UPDATE 4:14pm

We did ask if Openreach could elaborate on why some lines might be able to carry broadband forward post-Jan 2027 and not others, although this is said to still be subject to ongoing development and that’s making it a bit difficult to get a clear answer. But it sounds like, due to this, EVAC + Broadband migrations won’t take place until mid-April 2027 onwards.