Getting ready for the PSTN & ISDN Switch Off
Get Switched On about the Switch Off
Welcome to our PSTN & ISDN Switch Off Hub – your central resource for background to, and the latest information about the changes ahead, as BT Openreach prepares to retire the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) in 2027.
TalkTalk Business is fully committed to supporting our customers through this journey. Due to our extensive network investments, we’re able to offer more options than other providers, helping your business stay connected and embrace the new digital future with our range of alternative solutions.
On this page you'll find key dates to take note of, simple explanations about the Switch Off and what it means for your business, as well as some frequently asked questions to prepare you for the changes ahead.
Not ready for a post-PSTN & ISDN world? Don’t worry, we have options to keep your business connected and maintaining operational continuity through this period of change.
We'll be regularly updating this page with helpful information to guide you through, so be sure to check back.
Get Switched On about the Switch Off
Welcome to our PSTN & ISDN Switch Off Hub – your central resource for background to, and the latest information about the changes ahead, as BT Openreach prepares to retire the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) in 2027.
TalkTalk Business is fully committed to supporting our customers through this journey. Due to our extensive network investments, we’re able to offer more options than other providers, helping your business stay connected and embrace the new digital future with our range of alternative solutions.
On this page you'll find key dates to take note of, simple explanations about the Switch Off and what it means for your business, as well as some frequently asked questions to prepare you for the changes ahead.
Not ready for a post-PSTN & ISDN world? Don’t worry, we have options to keep your business connected and maintaining operational continuity through this period of change.
We'll be regularly updating this page with helpful information to guide you through, so be sure to check back.
January 2027
The PSTN & ISDN network is completely switched off across the UK.
May 2024
Openreach by BT announced a one-year delay to the PSTN & ISDN Switch Off, over concerns that organisations were not prepared. The date has moved from December 2025 to January 2027.
September 2023
On 5th September 2023, BT Openreach initiated a national stop-sell of the PSTN. This is the beginning of the phase-out process, with the full PSTN & ISDN Switch Off scheduled for 2025. However, the Switch Off date has since been pushed back to 2027.
December 2020
Individual city locations stop selling ISDN lines in a phased approach until August 2023.
November 2017
BT Openreach announced its intention to retire the PSTN in 2025. As Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) lines connect to the PSTN, they will also be retired during this process.
PSTN Switch Off Explained
What is the Public Switched Telephony Network? The PSTN allows users to make and receive phone calls and is comprised of BT Telephone exchanges . The network was installed in the 1980s and is now very outdated.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) provides digital communication voice and data and runs over the PSTN.
In 2017, BT Openreach announced its intention to retire the PSTN through withdrawing Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) lines (which connect to the PSTN BT Openreach), and they are now offering the following “All-IP” line types to replace WLR:
SOGEA – Single Order Generic Ethernet Access is Fibre to the Cabinet broadband without the WLR phone line
SOGFast – the G.Fast variant of SOGEA
FTTP – Fibre to the Premise broadband
These lines do not connect to the PSTN and require Communications Providers to offer VoiP based services for telephony.
It is important to note that Openreach has not changed the status of Metallic Path Facility (MPF) lines that TalkTalk Business use, and these lines are fully available and not affected by PSTN switch-off.
From September 2023, WLR went into stop-sell. Currently, all UK service providers are will no longer offering new lines that connect to the PSTN. However, existing customers can continue to use WLR lines until December 2025, with a limited additional time window for some users, giving them until 2027.
TalkTalk MPF based services are unaffected by WLR.
If your business isn’t ready to make the change to Digital Voice, we’ve got you covered. TalkTalk Business can still provide telephony and broadband services over Metallic Path Facility (MPF) as an alternative, as these Openreach lines are unaffected by the PSTN stop-sell, allowing users continued support to existing devices. Keep scrolling for more detail.
PSTN Switch Off Explained
What is the Public Switched Telephony Network? The PSTN allows users to make and receive phone calls and is comprised of BT Telephone exchanges . The network was installed in the 1980s and is now very outdated.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) provides digital communication voice and data and runs over the PSTN.
In 2017, BT Openreach announced its intention to retire the PSTN through withdrawing Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) lines (which connect to the PSTN BT Openreach), and they are now offering the following “All-IP” line types to replace WLR:
SOGEA – Single Order Generic Ethernet Access is Fibre to the Cabinet broadband without the WLR phone line
SOGFast – the G.Fast variant of SOGEA
FTTP – Fibre to the Premise broadband
These lines do not connect to the PSTN and require Communications Providers to offer VoiP based services for telephony.
It is important to note that Openreach has not changed the status of Metallic Path Facility (MPF) lines that TalkTalk Business use, and these lines are fully available and not affected by PSTN switch-off.
From September 2023, WLR went into stop-sell. Currently, all UK service providers are will no longer offering new lines that connect to the PSTN. However, existing customers can continue to use WLR lines until December 2025, with a limited additional time window for some users, giving them until 2027.
TalkTalk MPF based services are unaffected by WLR.
If your business isn’t ready to make the change to Digital Voice, we’ve got you covered. TalkTalk Business can still provide telephony and broadband services over Metallic Path Facility (MPF) as an alternative, as these Openreach lines are unaffected by the PSTN stop-sell, allowing users continued support to existing devices. Keep scrolling for more detail.
What alternative solutions can TalkTalk Business provide?
TalkTalk Business offers VoIP voice services also called Digital Voice as an alternative to the traditional PSTN. As Digital Voice is Internet Protocol (IP) based, it works over the broadband connection. VoIP phones must plug into your router/broadband hub or via an adapter.
Digital Voice services offers more features and can be used from more device types than just a telephone. They can integrate with your other IT systems, and enable greater collaboration to your teams, enhancing productivity and time. As well as voice calls, Digital Voice gives you a feature-rich solutions that can be tailored to you and grow with your evolving needs, future-proofing your telephony needs.
To be able to use Digital Voice, you’d need to have one of the following new Openreach line types: SOGEA, SOGFast or FTTP.
What alternative solutions can TalkTalk Business provide?
TalkTalk Business offers VoIP voice services also called Digital Voice as an alternative to the traditional PSTN. As Digital Voice is Internet Protocol (IP) based, it works over the broadband connection. VoIP phones must plug into your router/broadband hub or via an adapter.
Digital Voice services offers more features and can be used from more device types than just a telephone. They can integrate with your other IT systems, and enable greater collaboration to your teams, enhancing productivity and time. As well as voice calls, Digital Voice gives you a feature-rich solutions that can be tailored to you and grow with your evolving needs, future-proofing your telephony needs.
To be able to use Digital Voice, you’d need to have one of the following new Openreach line types: SOGEA, SOGFast or FTTP.
NOT READY FOR DIGTIAL VOICE?
If you’re not ready to move to Digital Voice, our customers can still prepare for the 2027 Switch Off with Metallic Path Facility (MPF).
Unlike other providers, TalkTalk Business offers voice services via MPF. This technology utilises the existing copper wires, connecting directly from our equipment in the BT Telephony exchanges to our customers’ premises. This ensures a smooth connection for standard (i.e. non-VoIP-compatible) phones to our own telephony switches.
TalkTalk Business's MPF voice services are therefore unaffected by WLR stop-sell or withdrawal in 2025, which means that we can continue to offer broadband and Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) with MPF. MPF FTTC is functionally identical to SOGEA in respect of broadband performance and availability.
MPF is a seamless solution that puts control back in your hands, giving you more time to plan and implement your digital strategy to move onto Digital Voice, when you’re ready.
NOT READY FOR DIGTIAL VOICE?
If you’re not ready to move to Digital Voice, our customers can still prepare for the 2027 Switch Off with Metallic Path Facility (MPF).
Unlike other providers, TalkTalk Business offers voice services via MPF. This technology utilises the existing copper wires, connecting directly from our equipment in the BT Telephony exchanges to our customers’ premises. This ensures a smooth connection for standard (i.e. non-VoIP-compatible) phones to our own telephony switches.
TalkTalk Business's MPF voice services are therefore unaffected by WLR stop-sell or withdrawal in 2025, which means that we can continue to offer broadband and Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) with MPF. MPF FTTC is functionally identical to SOGEA in respect of broadband performance and availability.
MPF is a seamless solution that puts control back in your hands, giving you more time to plan and implement your digital strategy to move onto Digital Voice, when you’re ready.
Are these alternatives widely available?
TalkTalk Business currently have equipment in 3000+ Openreach exchanges across the UK, which equates to 92% national coverage where customers can or are using MPF.
Where we don't have exchange presence, in the immediate-term, customers can remain on their existing WLR connections till December 2025 from which point they will need Digital Voice options for telephony.
TalkTalk Business also offer IP based telephony options including SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and hosted voice, Digital Voice solutions.
We're working hard to ensure that all our customers have alternative connectivity solutions available and will continue to share updates as our coverage increases further.
Are these alternatives widely available?
TalkTalk Business currently have equipment in 3000+ Openreach exchanges across the UK, which equates to 92% national coverage where customers can or are using MPF.
Where we don't have exchange presence, in the immediate-term, customers can remain on their existing WLR connections till December 2025 from which point they will need Digital Voice options for telephony.
TalkTalk Business also offer IP based telephony options including SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and hosted voice, Digital Voice solutions.
We're working hard to ensure that all our customers have alternative connectivity solutions available and will continue to share updates as our coverage increases further.
Have further questions?
If you have any more questions, check out our FAQs below which will help you navigate the PSTN Switch Off.
