Big news for those still relying on the copper network for telephony and broadband: Openreach has announced a delay in their plan to switch off old copper-based phone lines and broadband. Originally set for December 2025, the new deadline is now January 31, 2027.
Why the Delay?
The delay is primarily due to concerns about telecare products used mainly by the elderly. Although these systems can operate over digital landlines, they are more prone to outages compared to the current copper setup. Openreach commented “Following the industry-wide pause to non-voluntary migrations in December 2023, we now expect to have migrated all customers off the PSTN by the end of January 2027, allowing us to align the programme with full fibre broadband customer upgrades where available.”
What Does This Mean for You?
The old services will eventually need to be withdrawn because maintaining the outdated analogue systems is both extremely expensive and increasingly precarious, as many manufacturers are phasing out support for the old equipment. Alfonica recommends that businesses transition away from the copper network sooner rather than later to future-proof their operations and avoid reliance on unsupported products or services
Key Information and Next Steps
The delay to January 31, 2027, for switching off old phone lines has some benefits: it gives businesses more time to adapt to the new technology, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal disruptions, particularly for those relying on telecare services.
However, it’s crucial to start preparing for the big switch-off now. Although 2027 may seem distant, it’s less than three years away, making prompt action essential. Alfonica can assist with a seamless transition to hosted telephony and lightning-fast fibre broadband. Contact us today to ensure that you’re ready for the future of telecommunications.
Stay updated with Alfonica’s blog for more information as we navigate this important change in UK telecommunications.
