Today, Friday 23 October 2026 The old phone network closes on Sunday 31 January 2027. Most lines have already moved, and there's still time for the rest, if they act now 1.2 million lines still on the old phone network Openreach, 24 Sep 2026 350,000 of them serve business premises Openreach, 24 Sep 2026 15 million lines already moved since 2017 Openreach, 24 Sep 2026 70,000+ telecare users moved safely with an engineer check Openreach, 24 Sep 2026 From today, Friday 23 October 2026, there are 100 days until the old phone network closes on Sunday 31 January 2027. Openreach says the date "remains unchanged". The good news: around 15 million lines have already moved, and if your phone plugs into your broadband router, you're very likely sorted. Around 1.2 million lines still need to move, including around 350,000 business premises. If you haven't moved by the deadline, Openreach may put your line onto EVAc, a temporary, limited safety net that can keep calls, and where possible broadband, working for a while. But it says you "may lose your service altogether", so the simplest plan is to ring your provider now. Key facts, checked 23 October 2026 Who this is for: Anyone with a home phone, families looking out for older relatives or someone with a care alarm, and small businesses with card machines, alarms or old phone systems. Want a quick yes or no? Try our landline switch-off checker. Direct answer: 100 days from today, Friday 23 October 2026. The old phone network, known as the PSTN, closes on Sunday 31 January 2027, and Openreach says "The PSTN closure date remains unchanged". The countdown: the dates that matter Most of the dates on the way are deadlines for phone companies rather than for you, but they show why acting early helps. After 31 January, Openreach says phone companies "lose control over how and when remaining lines are migrated or ceased". Direct answer: Openreach estimates around 1.2 million lines are still on the old network, including around 350,000 business premises. That's anyone with a phone-only landline, or a landline and broadband package, that still uses the traditional phone network. Lines still on the old network are falling fast More than nine in ten lines have already moved It's moving quickly: from roughly 2.8 million in February to around 1.2 million on 24 September, by Openreach's estimates. Openreach has also ranked ten UK cities by the share of their old lines still to move, from Liverpool, furthest ahead, to London, furthest behind. City league table: share of old lines still to move Our league table guide explains what the ranking means for your home. Direct answer: A good clue is where your phone plugs in. Openreach says a digital phone "will usually connect through your broadband router", rather than the wall socket. Some landline-only digital services still use the wall socket, so if you're not sure, ask the company you pay your phone bill to. Do I need to do anything? A one-minute check Yes You're very likely already digital. Just check question 3. No, it plugs into the wall socket Go to question 2. Some landline-only digital services still use the wall socket, so it's only a clue. Yes Follow the letter. On the day, plug your phone in where they tell you. Don't ignore it. No Ring the company you pay your phone bill to, on the number on your bill, and ask: is my line still on the old network? Yes A care alarm, health pendant, burglar alarm, CCTV or card machine: tell your phone provider and the device supplier before the switch. No You're nearly done. If you'd be stuck in a power cut, ask about a free back-up. Direct answer: Usually very little. Your calls run over a broadband connection instead of the old network, you keep your number, and in most cases your handset works. Openreach says "Costs vary by provider", but BT and Virgin Media both say the move itself doesn't change your bill. What actually changes: old line versus digital line The old way (closing on 31 January 2027) Your phone plugs into the wall socket and runs over the old analogue network. The digital way Your phone usually plugs into your broadband router. You keep your number, and in most cases your handset. The router needs mains power, so think about power cuts (see below). If you only have a phone line, BT, for example, won't make you take broadband, so ask your provider what its landline-only option costs. BT's landline-only service also says that if your phone works in a power cut today, it will carry on working after the upgrade. Our digital voice guide covers each big provider in more detail, and our guide to switching without a landline covers the other way round. Direct answer: Lines aren't all switched off at once, but there's no guarantee either. From 1 February, Openreach will move lines left behind exchange by exchange onto EVAc, a temporary, limited safety net, where it can, starting with phone-only lines. Lines that can't go onto EVAc will be switched off in planned batches. After 31 January 2027: three possible outcomes Moved to digital Nothing changes on 31 January. This is around 15 million lines so far, and the aim for everyone. Not moved: may go onto EVAc Openreach may move remaining phone lines onto EVAc, a temporary, limited service that keeps calls working for a limited time. Space is limited and can't be reserved. Not moved: may be switched off Lines that can't go onto EVAc will be switched off by Openreach in planned batches, called tranches, and ISDN and multi-line services may be too. Openreach's Managed Customer Migrations Director, James Lilley, put it plainly on 24 September: "No one should wait for the PSTN to close before upgrading." He added that EVAc "is temporary, limited and more expensive than modern alternatives" and "not a reason to delay". What if you ignore the letters? What providers have agreed to do first, for homes 1. Three contacts At least three tries, in at least two ways, including a letter. 2. Final notice At least 30 days' notice of the stop date, or 60 days if you're vulnerable. 3. Telecare check The alarm provider or council, where known, is told at least 10 working days before the end. 4. Then it can stop If there's still no reply, the provider may stop the service on or after that date. Direct answer: EVAc is Openreach's temporary service for some lines that miss the deadline. It keeps calls working for a limited time, with fewer features. Where technically possible, Openreach will also keep linked broadband working, and it expects to start those moves from mid-April 2027. EVAc, Openreach's temporary safety net, at a glance What EVAc does What it doesn't do Will my broadband keep working? Openreach's two broadband-saving routes Keep voice, keep broadband Your phone line moves onto EVAc and your broadband carries on by itself. Lose voice, keep broadband If your provider asks, Openreach stops the old phone line and leaves your broadband running by itself. Providers must ask by 31 January 2027. From 1 February 2027 Openreach starts with phone-only lines, exchange by exchange. From mid-April 2027 Openreach expects to start on lines that also have broadband, keeping it working. The broadband part is new: on 24 September, Openreach said it will "now also" keep linked broadband running where technically possible. Its briefing to phone companies the next day says this is mainly to protect people who rely on telecare. If you've read elsewhere, including in earlier guides, that EVAc means emergency calls only, or no broadband, Openreach's latest information says otherwise. People will still need to move to services like full fibre or SOGEA in the longer term, Openreach says. Direct answer: Tell your phone provider and the device supplier before you switch. Ofcom says your phone provider can help check whether it will work and, if needed, pause the change until a safe solution is in place, and Openreach engineers test telecare alarms on the new line through its Prove Telecare service. Check anything else that uses your phone line If any of these use your phone line: tell your phone provider and the device supplier before you switch, so they can check it keeps working. Telecare users have extra protection 2 million people in the UK use telecare, an estimate GOV.UK, Feb 2025 70,000+ telecare users moved with an engineer testing their alarm Openreach, Sep 2026 Paused your switch can be paused until a safe solution is in place Ofcom, Aug 2026 Priority telecare lines come first for EVAc if space is tight Openreach, Sep 2026 Our care alarm guide found that no broadband provider we read publishes that it will contact your telecare service for you, so it's worth ringing the alarm company yourself. If you're helping a parent, our older relative checklist and guide to switching for an elderly parent cover what the provider will let you do. Direct answer: A digital phone needs your router to have power, so usually not without a back-up. If you depend on your landline and don't have a working mobile phone or a reliable mobile signal, Ofcom says your provider must offer you a free back-up that lasts at least one hour. Power cuts: how long a free back-up must last BT says that in a power cut "you'll be unable to make calls using Digital Voice, including calls to 999", so keep a charged mobile if you can. Our power cut guide explains who gets a free battery back-up and how to ask, and our countdown plan lists what each big provider offers. Direct answer: For BT and Virgin Media customers, the move itself shouldn't. BT says there's "no change to your plan or bill", and Virgin Media says the new line "will cost the same". Other providers may differ, so ask yours. What's rising is the price phone companies pay Openreach to keep old lines going, which doubled during 2026 and becomes £35 or £38.60 a month from February. Old lines are getting dearer for providers (2025 = 100) Openreach hasn't said what you'd pay if your line ends up on EVAc: that's up to your provider. Openreach also says phone companies keep paying for old lines left after 31 January until they're stopped. Our 1 October price rise guide and copper price tracker follow these rises. Direct answer: Act now, because businesses have the most to lose. Around 350,000 business premises are still on the old network. ISDN has no safety net, EVAc isn't guaranteed, and 31 January 2027 is the last day phone companies can place migration orders with Openreach. After that, Openreach decides how and when remaining lines are moved or switched off. Small businesses: four things to do now List every line Card machines, alarms, lift phones, CCTV and any old switchboard. Openreach says many organisations still depend on the old network for payment terminals, lift alarms and security systems. ISDN won't get a safety net Openreach says ISDN services must move to an IP service by January 2027 "or your service will be ceased". Don't count on EVAc Space is limited and goes first to lines supporting telecare users or critical national infrastructure, so a shop's card machine line may not get a place. Openreach "does not guarantee that every line can be migrated". Order now Your provider's last day to place moves with Openreach is 31 January 2027, and orders that won't complete by 31 March 2027 will be cancelled. For the detail, see our guides to the PSTN switch-off for businesses, ISDN and card machines and EPOS. Direct answer: Be wary of anyone who calls or visits about the switch-off and wants payment, bank details or access to your computer. Openreach says if someone claiming to be from Openreach asks for bank details or computer access, "it's a scam". Spot a switch-off scam Red flag: bank details or computer access Openreach: "If someone claiming to be from Openreach asks for your bank details or access to your computer, it's a scam." Red flag: an unbooked visit Openreach says don't let in anyone who turns up unexpectedly without your provider booking them, or who can't show ID. What to do Hang up and call your provider on the number on your bill. Report fraud to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland. For more, see our guide to broadband and telecoms scams and this week's missed-call scam guide. Direct answer: Our Last Dial Tone report in June put a 72% chance on the date holding, with the last lines managed rather than cut off in one go. In our view, Openreach's September plans fit that forecast so far, though they aren't guaranteed for every line, and we'll score the forecast in February 2027. What our switch-off research has found The Last Dial Tone, June 2026 Our report put a 72% chance on the date holding, with a managed tail of lines still to move. In our view, Openreach's September plans fit that forecast so far. The report predates those details. Read the report The household countdown plan A month-by-month plan for the final stretch, with each big provider's power-cut offer. See the plan The city league table Openreach ranked ten UK cities by the share of their old lines still to move. We explained what it means for your home. See the guide Care alarms: who checks? No broadband provider we read publishes on its help pages that it will contact your telecare service for you when you switch, so it's worth making that call yourself. Read the guide Direct answer: Spend two minutes checking where your phone plugs in, then ring your provider if it's still the wall socket. If anything else uses your line, tell them about it. Five things to do this week Our free landline switch-off checker helps you see whether you need to act. Moving to digital? It's a good time to compare Openreach says the switch is "a good opportunity to shop around". Put in your postcode to see the deals we can find for your home, sorted by price. Prefer to talk it through? Call 0330 122 1223 In summary Alex's closing thought For most of us, the landline switch-off will turn out to be one cable moved from the wall to the router, and a phone that works just as it did. The people who need a little more help are the ones with care alarms, older relatives living alone, and small businesses with card machines and alarms on old lines, and 100 days is plenty of time to sort all of them, if we start now. We'll keep this page updated as Openreach publishes new figures and dates. Get ready Family and care Business Know someone with a care alarm, an older relative on a landline, or a small business with a card machine? Share this with them. You are welcome to quote and link to this article. Please credit Openreach for the line figures and dates, Ofcom and GOV.UK for the consumer protections, and BroadbandSwitch.uk for the charts and calculations, and link to this page. In a sentence: On 23 October 2026 there were 100 days until the old UK phone network closes on 31 January 2027, with around 1.2 million lines still to move; lines left behind may go onto Openreach's temporary EVAc service or lose service, so anyone still on the old network should contact their provider now. From today, Friday 23 October 2026, there are 100 days to go until Sunday 31 January 2027, when the old phone network closes. Openreach says the date "remains unchanged". Not necessarily overnight, but there's no guarantee. Openreach says lines still on the old network after 31 January 2027 "may be moved onto an emergency voice-only access service (EVAc), or you may lose your service altogether". EVAc is Openreach's temporary safety net for some lines that haven't moved. It keeps phone calls working for a limited time, but it may not support caller display, call forwarding or voicemail, and it can't be ordered in advance. Openreach plans to, where technically possible. It aims to keep linked broadband, such as ADSL and fibre-to-the-cabinet, running, and expects to start moving lines with broadband from mid-April 2027. It calls this a short-term safety net. Not necessarily. Landline-only digital services exist. BT, for example, is moving phone-only customers to Home Phone Standard "at no extra cost", and says "you won't need to take broadband". Yes. Openreach says you can keep your existing phone number when you switch to a digital phone line. In most cases, yes. Openreach says your existing handset will usually work, and your provider will advise you during the switch. Tell your phone provider and your alarm supplier before you switch. Ofcom says your phone provider can help check whether your device will work and, if needed, pause the change until a safe solution is in place. A digital phone needs your router to have power. If you depend on your landline and don't have a working mobile or a reliable signal, Ofcom says your provider must offer a free back-up lasting at least one hour. Yes, eventually. For homes, providers that have signed up to the government's Final Engagement Protocol have agreed to contact you at least three times first, including by letter, and give at least 30 days' notice, or 60 days if you're vulnerable. Openreach estimates around 1.2 million, including around 350,000 business premises, as of 24 September 2026. Around 15 million lines have already moved. List everything on your lines, such as card machines, alarms and lift phones, and order replacements now. Openreach says ISDN services must move by January 2027 "or your service will be ceased". Written by Dr Alex J. Martin-Smith, Founder of BroadbandSwitch.uk (LinkedIn). Reviewed by Adrian James, Broadband Editor. Published 23 October 2026. On 22 October 2026 we read Openreach's releases of 5 February, 31 July and 24 September 2026, its briefing GEN068/26 for phone companies, and its pages for homes, businesses and scams; Ofcom's guide to digital landlines; the government's Final Engagement Protocol, telecoms modernisation collection and Telecare National Action Plan; BT's and Virgin Media's switchover help pages; and Report Fraud's launch notice. The day count, the share of lines moved and the price index are our own calculations. On 23 October 2026 we re-checked Openreach's newsroom for any newer figures. This is general information, not professional advice. Corrections are logged publicly.100 Days to the Landline Switch-Off: What Really Happens on 31 January 2027
How many days until the landline switch-off?
Who still needs to switch?
How do I know if I'm still on the old phone network?
What actually changes when my landline goes digital?
Provider What it says Source BT (Digital Voice, with broadband) "There's no change to your plan or bill, and your number won't change either." You plug your phone into the Smart Hub on the switch date. BT Help BT Home Phone Standard (no broadband) BT upgrades you "at no extra cost", you keep your number and phones, and "you won't need to take broadband". You'll need to dial the area code for every call. BT Help Virgin Media "Your new fibre phone line will cost the same as your current home phone service", your number stays the same and you keep your handset. It runs its own network on its own timetable. Virgin Media Help Virgin Media O2 and KCOM networks Ofcom says both plan to retire their old landline networks, "but dates for switching those have not yet been set". Ofcom What happens on 31 January 2027 if I haven't switched?
What is EVAc, and will my broadband keep working?
What if I have a care alarm or other devices on my line?
Will my phone work in a power cut?
Will the switch cost me more?
What do small businesses need to do?
How do I spot a switch-off scam?
What has our research found so far?
What should I do this week?
Keep going: more on the switch-off
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Cite this page
Martin-Smith, A. J. (2026, October 23). 100 days to the landline switch-off: What really happens on 31 January 2027. BroadbandSwitch.uk. https://broadbandswitch.uk/insights/landline-switch-off-100-days/ Frequently asked questions
How many days until the landline switch-off?
Will my landline stop working on 1 February 2027?
What is EVAc?
Will my broadband keep working if my line goes onto EVAc?
Do I need broadband to keep a landline?
Will I keep my phone number?
Will my old phone handset still work?
What should I do if I have a care alarm?
Will my phone work in a power cut?
Can my provider stop my service if I ignore the letters?
How many lines still need to switch?
What do small businesses need to do?
References
100 Days to the Landline Switch-Off: What Happens Next
Written by Alex Martin-Smith (LinkedIn) • Reviewed by Adrian James (LinkedIn)
Last reviewed: 23 October 2026
Quick summary: From today, 23 October 2026, it's 100 days until the old phone network closes on 31 January 2027. What happens next, and who needs to act.
100DAYS TO GO
23 Oct 2026Today: 100 days to go
30 OctPhone companies' last exception requests
6 NovPhone companies' line-transfer paperwork deadline
31 Jan 2027Old network closes
1 FebEVAc moves start
31 MarLate migration orders cancelled
Mid-AprilBroadband-saving moves expected
5 Feb 202631 Jul 202624 Sep 2026
Around 15 million moved since 2017Around 1.2 million still to go
1. Liverpool42,351 lines left
6.35%
2. Manchester55,961 lines left
7.35%
3. Sheffield51,870 lines left
7.55%
4. Cardiff37,959 lines left
8.35%
5. Leeds62,411 lines left
8.62%
6. Edinburgh39,132 lines left
8.82%
7. Bristol43,775 lines left
8.99%
8. Birmingham37,825 lines left
9.08%
9. Glasgow30,653 lines left
10.60%
10. London235,934 lines left
12.92%
1. Does your home phone plug into your broadband router?
2. Has your provider written to you with a switch date?
3. Does anything else use your phone line?
PhoneWall socketOld phone network (PSTN)
PhoneBroadband routerBroadband lineYour provider's network
Telecare or health pendant
Health monitoring device
House or burglar alarm
CCTV
Card payment machine
Lift alarm
Ofcom's minimum for a free back-up
1 hour
What some providers offer
Up to 7 hours
2025Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 2026
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