- The all-IP migration retiring the PSTN is due to complete in 2027, so any device using the phone line needs checking before then.
- Devices that may rely on the phone line include telecare alarms, monitored security and fire alarms, fax machines, card and EPOS terminals and lift emergency lines.
- Ofcom requires providers to offer a free battery back-up unit to customers who rely solely on a landline or use a telecare device.
- The communications provider, not Openreach, is responsible for contacting its own customers and arranging the migration.
- Lift emergency telephones must continue to meet safety standards such as BS EN 81-28 after migration, which may require a compatible line solution.
List every device plugged into the phone line, including alarms, telecare, fax and card terminals, then contact your provider and device suppliers to confirm compatibility before the all-IP migration completes in 2027.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Why preparation matters now
The temptation with the PSTN switch-off is to assume there is nothing to do until a provider gets in touch. For a household that only uses a landline for occasional calls, that may be true. The risk lies with the many devices that quietly depend on the phone line and that can stop working if a line is migrated without the right preparation. Because the all-IP migration is due to complete in 2027 and exchange areas are already moving through the process, starting the checks early leaves time to fix anything that turns out to be incompatible.
Preparation is largely a matter of knowing what is connected and confirming that each item will keep working on a digital voice service. The exercise is the same in principle for a home and a business, although a business is likely to have more connected systems and more at stake if something fails. The sections below set out a practical approach for both.
It also helps to treat the switch-off as a planned project rather than a reaction to a letter from a provider. Setting aside an hour to walk the property, list connected equipment and note who supplies each item turns a vague worry into a concrete set of tasks. For a landlord, a care provider or a small business owner, that early groundwork is the difference between a smooth upgrade and a last-minute scramble when the local exchange area reaches its migration date.
Step one: audit every connected device
The most important task is to identify everything that plugs into a phone socket or relies on the phone line, including items that are easy to forget. In a home this often means a telecare pendant or fall alarm, a monitored burglar or fire alarm, and sometimes a second phone in a back room. In a business it can extend to fax machines, card payment and EPOS terminals, door entry intercoms, alarm monitoring panels, franking machines and the emergency telephone inside a lift.
Walking through the property and tracing each cable is the surest way to build a complete list. For anything that is hard-wired or hidden, the original installer or supplier records can help. The aim is a single inventory that names each device, its make and model, what it is used for and who supplied or maintains it. That list becomes the basis for every subsequent conversation with providers and suppliers.
PSTN device audit checklist by category
The table below groups the devices that commonly rely on the phone line and indicates the typical action for each category. It is a starting framework rather than an exhaustive list, and the relevant supplier should always confirm the specifics.
| Category | Examples | Typical action |
|---|---|---|
| Telecare and health | Pendant alarms, fall detectors | Tell provider, request back-up, check with telecare supplier |
| Security and safety | Monitored intruder and fire alarms | Confirm monitoring path with alarm company |
| Payments and retail | Card terminals, EPOS systems | Check with payment provider for IP option |
| Buildings and access | Lift emergency lines, door entry | Confirm compliant solution, including BS EN 81-28 |
| Office equipment | Fax machines, franking machines | Replace with digital alternative if needed |
Step two: contact the right people
With the inventory in hand, the next step is to contact the relevant parties. The communications provider that supplies the phone or broadband service is the first point of contact, since it is responsible for the migration and for arranging any safeguards. Anyone who relies solely on a landline, or who depends on a telecare alarm, should make this known so they can be identified for additional support and a free battery back-up unit as required under Ofcom's expectations.
Beyond the provider, each device supplier should be approached separately. A telecare service provider can confirm whether a pendant alarm will work over digital voice and whether a different unit is needed. An alarm monitoring company can advise on the signalling path. A payment provider can confirm whether a terminal can move to an internet connection. For lifts, the maintenance company should confirm that the emergency telephone will continue to meet the relevant safety standard after migration.
Step three: replace, test and confirm
Some devices will work unchanged, some will need reconfiguring onto the broadband connection, and a few may need replacing with digital equivalents. Where a replacement is required, arranging it ahead of the local migration date avoids a period without protection. Once the new service is in place, every safety-critical device should be tested, ideally with the supplier confirming that an alarm signal or emergency call actually reaches its destination.
For both homes and businesses, it is worth keeping a written record of who was contacted, what was confirmed and when. That record is valuable if a question arises later about whether a device was properly migrated. It also makes any future change of provider or equipment simpler, because the inventory and contacts are already documented.
Understanding the timeline and the risks of waiting
The migration is happening in stages across exchange areas, with the all-IP migration due to complete in 2027. A provider will give notice before moving a line, but the amount of preparation a customer needs depends entirely on what is connected. A household with only a phone may need to do little more than plug the handset into the router when the time comes. A care home, a retail business or a managed building with a lift could need weeks of coordination across several suppliers.
The main risk of doing nothing is that a critical device fails silently after migration. A telecare alarm that no longer connects, a security system that cannot reach its monitoring centre, or a lift phone that does not function would all be serious failures that might only be discovered in an emergency. Acting on the audit and confirming each device in advance removes that risk and turns the switch-off into a routine upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare for the PSTN switch-off?
Start by listing every device that plugs into the phone line or relies on it, then contact your communications provider and each device supplier to confirm compatibility with digital voice. Arrange any replacements or back-up power before your line is migrated. Keeping a written record of what was checked and confirmed is good practice.
What devices use the PSTN that I might not know about?
Beyond the telephone handset, items that often use the phone line include telecare pendants, monitored intruder and fire alarms, fax and franking machines, card and EPOS payment terminals, door entry intercoms and lift emergency telephones. Many of these were installed years ago and are easy to overlook. Tracing the cables and checking installer records helps build a complete list.
Who should I contact to check my readiness?
The communications provider that supplies your phone or broadband is the main contact, as it arranges the migration and any safeguards. Separately, contact the supplier of each connected device, such as a telecare service, alarm monitoring company, payment provider or lift maintenance firm. Each can confirm whether their equipment will work after migration.
How long does it take to migrate to VoIP?
For a simple home line, the move can often be completed quickly once the broadband and equipment are ready. For a business with multiple lines, number porting and connected systems, the process can take several weeks to plan and test. Starting early gives time to arrange replacements and confirm that safety-critical devices work.
What is the risk if I do nothing before the switch-off?
The main risk is that a device which depends on the phone line stops working after migration without anyone noticing. A telecare alarm, monitored security system or lift emergency phone could fail when it is needed most. Auditing connected devices and confirming each one with its supplier in advance removes that risk.
