Digital Switchover
The UK's analogue landlines are being switched off. Here's what's changing, who's affected, how to keep your number, and how we can help.
What’s changing?
For decades, UK landlines have run on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an analogue network carried over copper wires. That network is old, increasingly hard to maintain, and is being retired.
Landline calls are moving to digital phone lines, often called VoIP or digital voice, which carry calls over a broadband connection. In most homes that means your phone plugs into your broadband router instead of the wall socket.
BT has said it plans to retire its PSTN network by 31 January 2027, and the industry is working towards that date. Older ISDN business lines are being withdrawn too.
Who’s affected?
Almost everyone with a traditional landline, at home or at work, will need to move to a digital option. If you already make calls over broadband, you may have moved already. If you’re not sure, ask your current provider.
Things to check
Some equipment uses the phone line in ways you might not think about. Check these with the company that supplies or maintains them, and tell us about them when you switch:
Can I keep my phone number?
In most cases, yes. Moving to digital doesn’t mean a new number.
When you switch to Your Communications, we’ll port your existing number to your new digital line free of charge, for homes and businesses. Businesses can bring single numbers or whole number ranges.
Many existing corded and cordless phones work with a digital line by plugging into the router. If yours doesn’t, we’ll talk you through the options.
No home internet? You can still keep your number. Port it to the Your Communications VoIP app and make and receive landline calls on your smartphone. Already have broadband from someone else? Our digital phone works over any provider’s connection.
Moving to digital with Your Communications
Check
We check full fibre availability at your address and ask what your line is used for today, including alarms, telecare and payment terminals.
Plan
We recommend full fibre and the right digital phone setup, arrange your free number port, and agree a switch date with you.
Switch
On switch day your number moves to your new digital line. We help you connect your phone or set up your apps and devices.
Power cuts & vulnerable customers
Digital phones need power to work. If you depend on your landline, for example if you have no mobile signal or use a telecare device, tell us. We’ll make sure you have a way to call emergency services during a power cut, such as a battery back-up unit.
Get ready for the switchover
Tell us your postcode and how you use your landline today. We’ll help you move to digital, with your number ported free.