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How Do I Know if I'm Ready for the Big Switch-Off?

In 2017, the BT Group announced they were going to switch off the existing telephone network in December 2025 and that traditional phone lines would no longer be available. This has now been extended to January 31st, 2027, to give people more time to migrate to new digital-based connections.

Large numbers of people in the UK still have a landline for calls, and we want to help you prepare your home for this change.

What Home Services Will be Impacted by The Big Switch Off?

  • No longer supported
  • Supported services
Faxes

Faxes

Analogue Phones

Analogue Phones

Analogue Security

Analogue Security

Pendant Alarms

Pendant Alarms

Extension Socket

Extension Sockets


All analogue services and devices that require a traditional "dial tone", such as the ones above, will need to be transitioned to an All-IP alternative to be compatible. Essentially, these home services may require updated models to be compatible with the new digital-based internet connection.

VOIP

VOIP

Computers

Computers

Smart Devices

Smart Devices

What does this mean for me?

As of September 2023, traditional phone lines have been removed as a product from all providers and all newly purchased products should now be digital based across the UK.

If you want to continue using a home telephone after January 2027, you MUST have an Ultrafast Full Fibre or All IP internet connection with an internet-compatible phone/device, referred to as VoIP.

Anyone who has not moved to an Ultrafast or All IP service with a VoIP subscription (for a home phone) will no longer be able to make calls or use services that rely on analogue transmission.

How ready are you?

This is one of the biggest and most disruptive changes to the telecoms market in its lifetime and Your Co-op will be here to help guide you through it and provide you with a better service than ever before.

Whether you're excited by the prospect of the very fastest internet speeds or just need a basic voice service to maintain home-based calling, we can tailor to your needs.

What do I need to do?

What do I need to to do?

Here are 5 possible scenarios you may find yourself currently in. If there is a red cross, you will need to make changes to your current broadband service to maintain it after the Big Switch off and to have your desired setup. Click on the image to find out more.

senior couple using a computer together

I do not have internet service but still want to make landline calls

woman using her laptop at work

I have an internet service and still want to make landline calls

young woman studying at home

I have an internet service but don't want to make landline calls

man using a laptop at home

I have a Full Fibre/All-IP service and still use a traditional landline to make calls

young couple using laptop together

I have a Full Fibre/All-IP service and don't want to make landline calls

What is VoIP?

On any new Ultrafast or All-IP services, calls will be delivered over that internet connection using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) rather than the "dial tone" services that have been used for landlines.

Find out more about VoIP phones

Be Big Switch Off ready

Be Big Switch Off ready 

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Glossary of Terms for the Big Switch Off

Analogue Line:

A traditional telephone line that transmits voice signals as continuous electrical signals. Often referred to as POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service). These are gradually being replaced by digital technologies as part of the Big Switch off in January 2027.

PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network):

The worldwide public circuit-switched telephone network. It was primarily designed for analogue (legacy/traditional/old) voice communication and is now being modernized with digital infrastructure as part of the Big Switch off in January 2027.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network):

A digital communication standard that allows for the transmission of voice, data, and other services over digital telephone lines. This is being retired as part of the Big Switch off in January 2027.

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line):

An early form of DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) technology that allows for faster data transmission over copper telephone lines than traditional dial-up. It's "asymmetric" because the download speed is significantly faster than the upload speed. This too is being phased out and officially retired by the Big Switch off in January 2027.

Fibre Optic Broadband:

Broadband internet access delivered over fibre optic cables, which can transmit data at much higher speeds and with lower latency than copper-based technologies. Examples include FTTC and FTTP. Fibre will be the main broadband connection for maintaining a connection after the Big Switch off, however it’s vital you ensure you are sorted before January 2027.

FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet):

A type of fibre broadband where fibre optic cables run from the exchange (local internet providing centre) to a street cabinet, and then copper wires connect the cabinet to individual premises. This offers faster speeds than ADSL (Legacy Internet Service) but is still limited by the copper portion. This will still work as normal after the Big Switch off.

FTTP (Fibre to the Premises):

Also known as FTTH (Fibre to the Home), this is the fastest type of broadband, where fibre optic cables run directly from the exchange to the end-user's property, eliminating the limitations of copper wires. This work will continue to work as normal after the Big Switch off.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol):

A technology that allows voice calls to be made over the internet rather than traditional phone lines. This is a key replacement for PSTN-based voice service as part of the Big Switch off.

Digital Voice (or IP Voice):

Voice services delivered over a broadband connection using VoIP technology. This is the modern replacement for analogue phone lines and the new version of a landline. You can opt to include this as a Your Co-op Broadband package that’s ready for the Big Switch off.