Iconic phone network used by 2.8million Brits is being killed off FOREVER in just weeks – after 150 years

A LONG-STANDING telephone service is set to be switched off forever. The system, which has been used for decades, is set to be taken away in a matter of months. British Telecom is working to migrate all customers over to a new system Credit: Getty PSTN is set to be retired forever at the start of 2027 Credit: Getty Images BT (British Telecom) and Openreach’s plans to end the Public Switched Telephone Network are predicted to be completed by the end of January 2027. The traditional phone network’s retirement will mean millions of customers will have to move over to digital methods. Sign up for the Tech newsletter Thank you! The traditional infrastructure, powered by copper wires, is still used to power landline phones and older broadband services for many Brits. However, the system is becoming increasingly unreliable and expensive to maintain. BT has ensured customers that landlines aren’t being scrapped, explaining that they will be powered by broadband-powered “Voice over IP” technology instead. Ahead of the switch off, telephone systems and internet service providers are working to move current PSTN users over from the analogue service to modern alternatives. The ongoing migration mission is being monitored by the UK’s telecom moderator, Ofcom, and the project has already been delayed once. The deadline for the switch off of PSTN was pushed back from December 2025 until next January. Most read in Tech This was done in order to allow service users adapt to the change as well as to allow providers to ensure all customers are successfully moved over to new technology. Concerns have been raised over how the migration will impact those who are reliant on the older telecommunications methods. Elderly and vulnerable PSTN users, who don’t have the right phone equipment or technology in their homes to support broadband and newer systems, could be left behind during the switch. However, BT says that 99 per cent of households are thought to be compatible and 3million users have already been moved over to digital. The company explained: “Supporting customers with additional needs remains BT’s top priority and will continue to be a core focus throughout 2026. “Customers will be contacted at least four weeks before the switch to Digital Voice to ensure they are ready to make the move. “BT is continuing its nationwide customer engagement campaign to support households and businesses to move away from the copper network, particularly vulnerable customers – with enhanced protection, including free engineer visits and backup power where needed.” Comment now