PSTN switch off FAQs

Services will be switched off in January 2027. Customers have been unable to purchase any new PSTN services since September 2023. When the switch off was originally announced, the target date for the retirement of the PSTN was 2025. That has now been moved to January 2027; however, due to the lack of availability of new parts, Openreach do not expect this date to move again.

Yes, if you use traditional fixed-line voice, or ISDN voice or data services. Broadband with a telephone number - even if the voice service isn't used - is also likely affected. Some impacted services were marketed as “Fibre Broadband” (FTTC), but still relied on a telephone line for the final connection. Only FTTP, SOGEA, and MPF broadband services are unaffected. For details, contact your account manager.

With less than two years until the big switch-off, migrating a large PSTN or broadband estate may take time. As the deadline nears, those who delay risk competing for limited Openreach engineering resources. Regardless of timing, modern fibre services are faster, more reliable, and offer greater efficiency with less downtime. Data-only broadband or hosted voice solutions may also be more cost-effective than legacy services.

Openreach will switch off the services in January 2027. They have already served contractual notice of this date to all their wholesale providers of PSTN services. If you are still using affected services, you will lose service, and there may be delays or complications in restoring your service or retrieving your telephone numbers.

PSTN stands for Public Switched Telephone Network. It's the landline telephone system many of us are familiar with. It's been in operation since the 1800s and is now deemed a legacy network.

WLR stands for Wholesale Line Rental. It is the name of the landline product Openreach sells to wholesale operators like Nasstar.

ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. This is the technology that came after PSTN in 1985, enabling the digital transmission of voice, video and other services simultaneously while using the PSTN network.

The two main alternatives to PSTN and ISDN are Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SoGEA) and Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) with SIP and VoIP technology. Each can be used as an individual replacement or both together.

FTTP uses a full fibre connection and infrastructure, offering speeds reaching 1Gbps. While FTTC was a part-fibre, part-copper connection, FTTP delivers a full fibre connection from the exchange into your business. It is a far more stable solution than current copper broadband services.

SOGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access) delivers broadband without needing a telephone line. Earlier services, including FTTC, were tied to a phone line and identified by its number. With these phone services ending, older broadband models are no longer supported. Like FTTC, SOGEA uses fibre to the street cabinet and copper to the premises, but it's a standalone service that doesn’t rely on a phone line. Voice over IP can be used alongside SOGEA.

Your choice depends on the technology available at your site. FTTP is the most future-proof option, and we strongly recommend switching to it where possible, as all copper services will eventually be replaced. In FTTP areas, Openreach is already withdrawing new copper-based services like SOGEA. If neither FTTP nor SOGEA is available - common in more remote locations - transitional copper services like SOADSL (or SOTAP) and MPF may be used (details to follow).

FTTP and SOGEA are data-only services. For many customers who use their landline and broadband just for data access, this means these services are more cost-effective, as you no longer need to pay for the analogue voice line to operate a broadband service. However, if you still need your voice line, you will need to add a VoIP service to run over the top of your broadband service.

All next-generation voice services use Internet Protocol (IP). Even if you don’t need internet access for browsing or email, voice lines still require an IP-based connection. SOGEA and FTTP options are available specifically for voice, offering a low-cost solution with just enough bandwidth for voice traffic. In some cases, new voice services can run over your existing internet connection.

VoIP, sometimes referred to as IP telephony, is a general term encompassing internet or cloud-based telephony solutions that deliver voice and multimedia sessions over the internet. It enables users to make voice and video calls via any computer or mobile device with an internet connection, instead of using traditional copper lines.

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a protocol used in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) whereby your existing on-premises PBX equipment is connected to the internet. SIP enables businesses to mobilise their communications without being tied down to a fixed line at a fixed location, as they would be with a traditional ISDN.

Hosted voice, or hosted PBX, is another type of VoIP designed for business use. This solution relies on VoIP technology and enables call routing via the internet, but has all the features and capabilities associated with traditional on-site PBX systems, including auto attendant, call forwarding, custom greetings etc.

We know that every business is different, so a solution that works for one may not work for you. It’s a good idea to take stock of your current systems and solutions before speaking with your account manager to determine which migration route would work best.

Yes. As part of a SOGEA or FTTP order, we can coordinate the transfer of your telephone number to your new voice service.

Compatibility depends on your router’s age and features. Moving to FTTP likely requires a router upgrade, as FTTP offers higher speeds and uses a different cable type (RJ-45 vs RJ-11). If switching from ADSL or FTTC to SOGEA, your current router may still work. However, this is a good time to review your router estate to ensure devices are supported, secure, and up to date.

Modern IP phones are low-cost and offer more features than traditional PSTN phones, so we strongly recommend upgrading. Some broadband routers include an Analogue Telephony Adapter (ATA) port, allowing you to connect old analogue devices. By entering your VoIP details (e.g., phone number, username, and password) into the router, the service can be enabled.

When starting an FTTP service, an Openreach engineer must install a new fibre line and an optical network termination unit (ONT) at your premises. Switching from FTTC to SOGEA is usually done remotely with minimal downtime, often using the same router. Moving from ADSL to SOGEA may require a brief Openreach visit.

There may be a short loss of service during the upgrade, but Nasstar can work with you to ensure that downtime is kept to a minimum. In some cases, the new service can be provided to run before they are fully switched over.

Switching to an IP solution gives your business more features, greater flexibility, and fewer hardware and infrastructure limitations, often at a lower cost. It allows calls from any location on any device, integrates with business apps for video, chat, and calls, and improves collaboration and customer connection. IP services are also typically much cheaper than traditional lines, making early adoption a smart move.

SOADSL (Single Order Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is similar to SOGEA but designed for areas without fibre to the street cabinet, such as rural locations. It runs over copper, making it more sensitive to signal loss over distance, resulting in slower speeds. The service is based on Openreach’s SOTAP (Single Order Transitional Access Product).

MPF (Metallic Path Facility) is used when Openreach rents a copper line to a wholesale provider, who connects it to their own voice and broadband equipment at the exchange, known as Local Loop Unbundling. Since MPF doesn’t rely on Openreach’s voice network, it’s available where exchanges are unbundled. MPF can be delivered as ADSL (copper to premises) or FTTC (fibre to cabinet). Contact your Nasstar Account Manager for more details.