How the 2027 ISDN Switch-Off Could Impact Your Business

 If your business still relies on traditional phone systems, there’s a big change on the horizon that you need to be aware of. By the end of 2027, the UK’s ISDN and PSTN phone lines (the technology behind most landlines ) will be switched off for good.

While that might sound technical, the impact could be very real for your day-to-day operations. Whether you use landlines, fax machines, card payment systems or even lift lines, this change could disrupt your business if you’re not prepared.

Here’s what’s happening, who it affects, and what you need to do to stay ahead.

What Is ISDN — and Why Is It Going Away? 

ISDN (which stands for Integrated Services Digital Network) lines have been around since the 1980s. They were revolutionary for their time, allowing both voice and data to be transmitted over digital lines. PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) lines which are the standard analogue landlines, have been around even longer.

But today, these technologies are outdated. Modern alternatives, like VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and cloud-based communication systems, offer better quality, flexibility and scalability and they cost less to run.

Because of this, BT has announced that all ISDN and PSTN services will be completely shut down by the end of 2027. In fact, new ISDN/PSTN lines are no longer being sold, and many areas are already in the process of being phased out. 

Who Will Be Affected by the ISDN line switch off?

Businesses that still use:

• A traditional landline phone system

• A phone system that connects via ISDN line

• Analogue devices like fax machines, card machines, or lift lines

What Happens If You Don’t Act?

If you leave it too late, you could face:

• Service disruption to your phones and business-critical devices

• Last-minute rush to find new solutions

• Higher costs due to limited availability of engineers or equipment
  

Already Using VoIP? There’s Still a Good Reason to Review Your Setup

Even if your business has already made the move to a VoIP or cloud-based system, now is a great opportunity to review your telecoms setup. Is your current provider giving you everything you need? Are you happy with the system’s features, usability and support?

This industry shift could be the perfect time to consider upgrading to a unified communications solution that better suits your team’s needs — including features like:

• Centralised dashboards

• Detailed call reporting and analytics

• AI-powered call transcription

• Integrated messaging and collaboration tools

If your current solution isn’t delivering, we can help you explore what’s possible, take a look at our unified communications offerings here.

 
Get ahead of the curve.

2027 might seem far away, but as you may already know the switch-off is already in motion and demand for upgrades will only grow closer to the time.

Our advice would be, don’t wait until the last minute. Future-proof your business communications and avoid unnecessary disruption by making the switch now.

If you are unsure what systems you currently have in place or want advice on the best solution for your business, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Contact the DNS Team today to get started.