Openreach’s 30 October warning
Openreach has urged UK businesses that still use traditional analogue phone lines to plan their move to digital before 31 January 2027. Its warning was published on 30 October 2026.
The company says roughly one million legacy copper-based lines remain active across the UK, including about 300,000 at business premises. The business figure counts connections at those premises.
What to check with your providers
Start with an inventory of services using each old line: ordinary business phones, payment terminals, CCTV or door-entry equipment. Openreach says larger sites can have several suppliers and undocumented circuits.
Ask your phone provider to confirm whether each line still uses PSTN, the digital option available at the address and the migration steps. Check any attached equipment with its supplier before switching.
Openreach’s guidance says digital phone services usually work through a broadband router. If full fibre is unavailable, it says other digital services may still support the phone line; the provider must confirm the available option.
What happens at the deadline?
Openreach says customers who have not moved may be transferred to EVAc, a limited temporary service. It may preserve basic calls for a time, while some existing calling features may be unavailable.
Contact your provider now to agree the timing and steps for your own line.
