Phonely Claim 59 Percent of Older UK Adults Unaware of Analogue Phone Switch-Off

A new poll of 4,298 UK adults aged 50+, which was conducted by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider Phonely (vested interest), has claimed that 58.7% of UK adults aged over 50 are still unaware that the country’s ancient legacy phone network is being switched off on 31st January 2027.

The survey also found that 14.8% of respondents plan to delay switching until forced, while 4.8% said the whole thing sounded too complicated and only 21.6% said they had already made the switch. This suggests that almost four in five over-50s are either unaware, hesitant or planning to delay action, despite years of warnings from telecom providers, the government and Ofcom.

Just to recap. The legacy phone switch-off was already delayed once in order to give broadband ISPs, phone, telecare providers, councils and consumers more time to adapt (details), but there will not be another delay. The main focus of this delay was also on the 1.8 million UK people who use vital home telecare systems (e.g. elderly, disabled – vulnerable users), which aren’t always compatible with digital phone services (i.e. telecare providers were slow to adapt).

However, Openreach did recently confirm that there are currently still c.2.8 million lines on the old phone network that need to migrate, with more than half a million of those serving business premises. The operator has also previously stated that prices for these legacy lines are set to double by October 2026 (details), which is another good reason not to leave upgrading until the last minute.

In most cases such upgrades merely involve a fairly seamless change of service by your ISP, which often results in you needing to connect your home phone into the back of either a broadband router or small Analogue Terminal Adapter (ATA), instead of directly into the NTE5A/B/C socket on your wall or skirting board. Special solutions also exist for telecare users.

Just to clarify something that catches a lot of people out, only the PSTN phone service is being removed – copper lines still exist and can also handle digital IP-based voice and broadband services, so this isn’t just about the wider switch to full fibre (FTTP) lines (yet).

Bryn Thompson, Director of Phonely, said:

“We are now inside the final year. The extension to 2027 has clearly created a false sense of security. If millions wait until the last minute, we could see real disruption, particularly for older and rural households who rely on their landline the most.”

Phonely claims that if households delay action until autumn or winter, the industry could face a series of problems including – 1) Equipment shortages, 2) Engineer appointment backlogs, 3) Rural installation delays and 4) Increased pressure on vulnerable customers. One additional risk is that some lines may end up losing connectivity, but ISPs and network operators are naturally incentivised to do everything they can to avoid that outcome.

Plenty of solutions now existing for tackling difficult switches, so the best advice is to get in touch with your fixed line phone or broadband provider now in order to discuss your specific needs, rather than wait until the last minute. Take note that anybody who has switched broadband and phone provider within the past few years may already be on a digital phone service. But if in doubt, ask your provider.