Published • loading... • Updated
One Million People Warned to Act Before Major UK Landline Change
Openreach said the remaining lines include 300,000 business premises, and warned that delays could force some users onto a costly temporary service.
- Openreach warned that the Public Switched Telephone Network will officially shut down on January 31, 2027, leaving approximately 1 million copper-based lines active across the UK requiring urgent migration.
- Britain is transitioning to an all-digital Internet Protocol fiber system to replace the 1870s-era copper network, with the original December 31, 2025, deadline delayed to ensure compatibility for vulnerable users relying on TeleCare.
- Openreach Director of All-IP James Lilley warned that delaying migration "poses severe operational, safety, and compliance risks," noting that 300,000 active lines remain on business premises with complex specialist infrastructure.
- Customers failing to upgrade before the deadline may face automatic transfer to EVAc, a limited temporary safety net that the company warns is "significantly more expensive than the modern digital alternatives already available."
- Charity director Caroline Abrahams and analyst Paolo Pescatore at PP Foresight urged providers to coordinate a cohesive campaign, emphasizing that responsibility cannot rest solely with customers and advocating targeted support for vulnerable people.
Insights by Ground AI
29 Articles
29 Articles
Wilts & Gloucestershire Standard+14 Reposted by 14 other sources
One million people warned to act before major UK landline change
One million UK households and businesses risk losing landline access as Openreach retires the PSTN.
·Stroud, United Kingdom
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources29
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center19Last UpdatedBias Distribution90% Center
Bias Distribution
- 90% of the sources are Center
90% Center
C 90%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
