The 2027 Deadline That Will Affect Every UK Charity — And Why Waiting Is the Worst Option
In January 2027, the UK’s traditional phone network will be permanently switched off.
Not updated. Not upgraded. Switched off. Any device running on the old copper phone lines will simply stop working.
Most businesses are aware this is coming. Most charities are not. In our experience at SwitchAid — working with over 700 charities across the UK — it’s one of the most consequential things happening in telecoms right now, and one of the least talked about in the third sector.
This blog explains exactly what the PSTN switch-off means for your charity, what will stop working, and what you need to do — and when.
What is the PSTN and why is it being switched off?
PSTN stands for Public Switched Telephone Network. It’s the traditional copper-wire phone infrastructure that has connected the UK since the Victorian era. When you pick up a landline and make a call, it travels down those copper wires.
The network is being retired because it’s old, increasingly unreliable, and expensive to maintain. Ofcom data shows that PSTN resilience issues have risen by 45% in recent years. The cost of keeping it running — rather than replacing it with modern digital infrastructure — is simply no longer justified.
Openreach, which owns and operates the largest PSTN network in the UK, has confirmed that January 2027 is the locked-in switch-off date. The migration is already underway: the number of customers still on the old network fell from 5.2 million in July 2024 to 3.2 million by July 2025. The switch-off is happening around organisations whether they’re ready or not.
91% of people surveyed were unaware that the switch-off was happening. In the charity sector, that number is even higher.
What actually stops working in 2027?
This is where it gets more serious than most people realise. The switch-off doesn’t just affect your landline phone. It affects every device that connects through the copper phone network — and for many charities, that list is longer than expected.
Devices to check in your premises:
- Landline phones and desk phone systems
- Fax machines
- Door entry and access control systems connected to a phone line
- Security and intruder alarms that dial out over the phone network
- Lift alarm systems
- Franking machines and EPOS systems connected via phone line
- ADSL broadband connections (if your internet runs over a phone line)
The phone is the obvious one. But the alarm system or the door entry is the one that catches charities off guard — especially those operating from older premises.
If your premises has a lift, a monitored alarm, or a door entry system, check now whether it’s connected via a phone line. These are the items most likely to be missed — and the most serious when they stop working.
Why acting early matters more than most charities realise
January 2027 feels like a reasonable amount of time away. It isn’t, for three reasons.
1. Demand will spike — and prices with it
As the deadline approaches, every business, charity, school, and public sector body in the UK will be looking to switch simultaneously. Engineers, installation slots, and equipment will become scarce. Providers who are currently competitive on price will be in a position to charge more. The organisations that move in 2025 and 2026 will get better deals and more choice than those scrambling in late 2026.
2. Your current contract might already be affected
Openreach has already issued a ‘stop sell’ on new PSTN and ISDN line installations. If your current contract is up for renewal, your provider may not be able to renew it on the same terms — and may migrate you to a digital product without making the implications entirely clear. Understanding your contract situation now puts you in control of the transition rather than being managed through it.
3. The benefits of VoIP are available right now
Switching to VoIP isn’t just about complying with a deadline. For charities, modern VoIP systems offer lower costs, remote working capability, better call management, and features that genuinely improve how your organisation communicates. The charity that switches in 2025 gets two years of those benefits before the one that waits until December 2026.
Delaying the shift to digital carries a real cost. BT-commissioned research estimates the cost of inaction across UK organisations at £437 million — driven by increasing unreliability of the ageing network while organisations wait to act.
What your charity should do right now
You don’t need to switch tomorrow. But you do need to start the process. Here’s a simple three-step approach:
- Audit what you have. Walk your premises and list every device connected to a phone socket — including alarms, door systems, and any equipment you haven’t thought about in years. You need to know the full picture before you can plan.
- Check your contract renewal dates. If your current telecoms contract is due for renewal in the next 12–18 months, that’s the natural point to make the switch. Don’t let it roll automatically — use the renewal as the trigger to move to a VoIP system on the right terms.
- Talk to a provider who understands charities. The switch-off affects every organisation in the UK, which means there’s no shortage of companies happy to sell you a VoIP system. What’s rarer is a provider who understands charity funding cycles, trustee approval processes, and the specific support needs of teams without IT resource. Choose carefully.
Will we lose our existing phone numbers?
No. Your existing landline numbers can be ported across to a VoIP system. Your published numbers — on your website, your letterheads, your fundraising materials — stay exactly the same. This is one of the most common concerns charities raise, and it’s a non-issue with a properly managed migration.
What about devices beyond your phones?
Most charities focus entirely on their phone handsets when planning for the switch-off — but the PSTN copper network carries more than just calls. Before you migrate, it’s worth doing a quick audit of your premises for any devices that might also rely on a phone line connection.
Security and intruder alarms — many older alarm systems dial out over the phone network when triggered. If yours does, your alarm provider will need to upgrade it to a digital alternative before January 2027.
Door entry and access control — intercom systems in older buildings are commonly wired into phone lines. Check whether yours has a phone socket connection rather than a network cable.
Lift alarms — legally required in most multi-storey buildings, lift alarms often use PSTN lines. Your building manager or lift maintenance company should be notified now so they can plan accordingly.
Franking machines and card payment terminals — less common in charities but worth checking if you process donations or payments through older equipment connected via a phone line.
The good news is that digital replacements for all of these are widely available. The risk is simply in not checking until it’s too late. A thorough audit now — which SwitchAid includes as part of a free review — means no surprises in 2027.
How SwitchAid helps charities through the switch-off
At SwitchAid, we’ve been helping charities navigate the telecoms market since 2017. The PSTN switch-off is the biggest change the sector has faced in decades — and we’ve made it a priority to ensure none of the 700+ charities we work with are caught out.
When we work with a charity on a VoIP migration, we:
- Audit their current setup — including devices beyond the phone system
- Recommend the right VoIP solution for their size, structure, and budget
- Manage the entire migration — number porting, setup, and go-live
- Train the team, however non-technical they are
- Provide a dedicated account manager as an ongoing point of contact
We’re independent, which means we’re not tied to any one provider. We recommend what’s right for the charity, not what’s most convenient for us.
Start with a free review
If you’re not sure whether your charity is ready for the 2027 switch-off, start with a free review from SwitchAid. We’ll look at what you have, tell you honestly where you stand, and give you a clear picture of what needs to happen and when.
No jargon. No hard sell. Just a clear picture — and a plan if you need one.
Book a free review: switchaid.org | 0191 303 9404 | info@switchaid.org
