The countdown has already begun - and for traditional landlines, there is no pause button.

The global telecommunications landscape is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades: the global Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch off, with approximately 2.4 million businesses in the UK alone, are estimated to be affected by this change - B4BC.

Businesses that rely on traditional landlines must now prepare for a full transition to internet-based communications, most commonly Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Understanding what is changing, when it is happening, and how to respond is essential to maintaining business continuity. In this article, we take a closer look at what this transition means and how to navigate it effectively.

What is the PSTN switch off?

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the traditional copper-based infrastructure that has carried voice calls for over a century. This infrastructure is now being permanently phased out and replaced with digital networks.

There are several reasons as to why the switch off is happening, main ones include the price, technological shift, and improved efficiency.

Copper lines are too expensive to maintain, and the companies and institutions that maintain them are desperate to get rid of them. VoIP has been around for a long time now and has only gotten better. Modern communications rely on broadband and cloud-based services. VoIP and fibre networks offer greater scalability, flexibility, and feature-rich communication - modern businesses just have no reason to be tied to outdated systems that do not have advanced features like VoIP, cloud solutions do.

Key deadlines in different countries

While timelines vary by country, the global direction is consistent: PSTN networks are being retired in favour of digital alternatives.

Key timelines for PSTN switch off around the world:

United Kingdom

Openreach, the largest wholesale broadband and telephone network in the UK, originally announced the intention to retire the analogue network by December 2025, a date that was later delayed. Since September 2023, the company has no longer offered new traditional copper-based landlines or ISDN services.

Full PSTN switch-off in the UK is expected by 31 January 2027.

The European Union

Many European Union countries have already largely completed the transition away from PSTN networks. Estonia, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway have migrated most copper-based telephony to digital systems. Other countries are still phasing out PSTN services.

Disconnections in Belgium began in fiber-ready areas in 2022 and are still in progress. Denmark plans to fully retire traditional telephony by 2030. In France, Orange is managing the gradual switch-off, targeting completion by 2030.

United States

The US PSTN is being phased out, with major carriers like AT&T targeting 2027 to 2029 for final copper line retirement, transitioning to digital Fiber or VoIP services. The FCC has eased restrictions on carriers to accelerate the retirement of copper lines, encouraging migration to IP-based networks.

There is currently no fixed deadline for the U.S. PSTN switch-off. However, if you are a business operating in the U.S. with a U.S. carrier, your provider is required to notify you at least 180 days before your services are shut down - fcc.gov.

Australia and New Zealand

Many providers have already begun decommissioning copper-based telephone lines, replacing them with modern VoIP solutions as part of the wider transition to all-IP networks. This shift reflects a broader move away from legacy PSTN infrastructure toward more flexible, scalable, and cost-efficient digital communication systems.

Both countries are currently working toward completing their full PSTN switch-off by 2030.

Japan

Japan is in the final stages of its PSTN shutdown. NTT, a major telecommunications provider in Japan, began migrating services away from traditional PSTN infrastructure around 2010, gradually preparing for a nationwide shift toward digital communication systems.

The goal is to fully retire the legacy network for most customers by 2028.

Although deadlines differ - it may not seem that there is a hurry to switch right now. However, the global trend is clear: legacy telephony is being replaced everywhere, and businesses must act proactively rather than wait for enforced cut-off dates. Better to act sooner rather than later.

Preparing for the transition

This is the most critical part of the process. A successful migration to VoIP requires planning, auditing, and careful execution.

Understanding and auditing your existing communications setup involves identifying everything connected to your PSTN lines:

  • Desk phones and PBX systems
  • Fax machines
  • Alarm systems and elevator emergency phones
  • Payment terminals and card machines
  • Broadband services running over copper lines

Many businesses are surprised by how many systems depend on PSTN, and the Open Access Government “iceberg” analogy clearly highlights the scale of the shutdowns' impact.

Defining your requirements is important before selecting a VoIP solution. Take the time to assess your organisation’s needs:

  • Number of users and locations
  • Call volume and peak usage times
  • Integration with CRM or collaboration tools (e.g. Microsoft Teams)
  • Any additional system integrations (such as billing, automation, or other business software)

This step ensures you choose a system that supports future growth, not just current needs.

Planning the migration carefully with a well-structured strategy helps minimise disruption:

  • Move departments or sites gradually rather than all at once
  • Keep PSTN and VoIP running simultaneously during transition
  • Ensure you have enough time, and the right documents to port your existing numbers to your new provider.
  • Test call quality, routing, and integrations before full cutover

Many providers recommend starting migration well before the official PSTN shutdown due to high demand closer to deadlines.

Supporting your team is crucial, as technology changes are only effective when employees are properly supported:

  • Train employees on new calling systems and features
  • Update call handling procedures and routing rules
  • Inform customers if contact methods change
  • Provide internal support during the transition period

This reduces downtime and ensures a smoother adoption process.

Ongoing optimisation after migration is essential, as continuous monitoring and improvement are key:

  • Monitor call quality and latency
  • Review system analytics and usage patterns
  • Adjust call routing and auto-attendant settings
  • Continuously optimise bandwidth and configuration

VoIP systems are flexible, and ongoing optimisation can significantly improve efficiency.

How DIDWW can help you with the transition

If your business is affected - or will soon be affected - by the PSTN switch-off, DIDWW can help you ensure a smooth transition.

DIDWW is a licensed telecom provider delivering reliable, carrier-grade services backed by a 99.99% uptime guarantee. We offer phone numbers in over 90 countries, supported by telecom licenses in 30 countries and our own numbering resources in 18 of them.

As we continue to expand our global footprint, more than 1000 industry leaders trust DIDWW to provide dependable, high-quality communication solutions.

Number Porting

DIDWW offers free number porting in 40+ countries. You can view estimated porting times and required documentation by selecting your country in our self-service portal.

Our intuitive porting tool makes the process straightforward and easy to manage independently. If you have any questions at any stage, our porting specialists are available via live chat to assist you.

New Number Purchase & Registration

Our phone number portfolio includes local, toll-free, national, mobile, shared cost and even Universal International Freephone Numbers (UIFN), providing a wide range of coverage across countries, number types, and area prefixes. With phone numbers in 90+ countries and 5565 area codes, your company can establish a local presence anywhere - all managed through our modern, easy-to-use platform.

As a fully compliant provider, DIDWW adheres to all applicable regulatory requirements. Therefore, some numbers require number registration before activation. Detailed regulatory requirement information is available on our website.

Voice Services

DIDWW provides premium, carrier-grade voice services, with high-quality SIP trunking across 242 countries and regions, and local voice routing available in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Emergency calling is available in 38 countries and can be easily configured through our platform, ensuring reliable setup and operation.

If you anticipate high call volumes, or are already managing them, we recommend contacting our sales team at sales@didww.com to ensure your pricing aligns with your needs.

SMS Services

DIDWW offers both A2P (Application-to-Person) and P2P (Person-to-Person) messaging services across multiple countries.

If your business uses automated messaging - or plans to introduce it - you can explore our available A2P campaigns per country.

For high-volume messaging requirements, please contact sales@didww.com to discuss tailored pricing options.

Cloud PBX (phone.systems™)

DIDWW’s Cloud PBX solution, phone.systems™, is designed for modern teams seeking an efficient and flexible way to manage communications. The platform includes a comprehensive set of features - from voicemail to advanced AI-powered features.

With detailed documentation and dedicated technical support, you can quickly set up seats and start onboarding your team onto the platform with ease.

If you are already using a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system, it can be integrated with our Cloud PBX. A list of currently supported integrations is available in our documentation.

Support & Resources

You can find more information in our blog and extensive DIDWW documentation.

If you need assistance at any time, our technical support specialists are available via the 24/7 live chat. We are here to help you make your transition simple, clear, and stress-free.

Conclusion

The PSTN switch off marks a crucial shift in how businesses communicate, moving from legacy infrastructure to more flexible, scalable, and future-ready digital solutions. While the transition may seem complex, it also presents a valuable opportunity to modernize communication systems, enhance reliability, and unlock new capabilities that traditional telephony simply cannot support.

Businesses that take a proactive approach - assessing their current dependencies, planning migrations carefully, and investing in the right VoIP or cloud-based solutions - will be best positioned to ensure seamless operations. Delaying action, on the other hand, risks disruption and potential loss of connectivity at critical moments.

Ultimately, this transformation is not just a technical upgrade, but a strategic evolution. By embracing the change now, businesses can future-proof their communications, improve efficiency, and stay competitive in an increasingly digital world.

DIDWW provides powerful Voice and Messaging services with real-time provisioning and management through our self-service user portal. We offer reliable calling solutions, extensive coverage of DID numbers in 90+ countries, messaging, emergency calling, and more. For additional information on our services, please contact us at sales@didww.com or via our live chat at any time.