Telecom House, Coleshill, Warwickshire, B46 1HQ

ISDN Switch-Off in the Midlands

The British Telecom ISDN switch off is happening in January 2027. Businesses must move over to alternative communication methods with plenty of time to avoid losing access to their phone systems.

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

* The time until 31st January 2027 when the Nationwide ISDN Switch Off Happens

Concerned about the BT ISDN switch off ? Get in touch with our team for advice

With the ISDN switch off BT in full effect, we’re advising all business customers to move over to a fully digital service by December 2025.

Trusted by over 40,000 + UK businesses

Age UK
Action for Children
BBA
British Rowing
Balfour Beatty
British Waterways
River Island
Network Rail
SIP Phone Lines

How will the ISDN switch off affect businesses?

The ISDN switch off means that all traditional landline phone services using ISDN or PSTN systems will be permanently withdrawn in January 2027. If your business hasn’t moved to a digital alternative like VoIP by then, you risk complete loss of phone service. 

Losing these legacy phone services could disrupt customer communications, affect day-to-day operations and leave you without a working phone system until a replacement is installed.  

Upgrading in advance ensures you stay connected, avoid downtime and benefit from more flexible, future-ready technology.

Act now to avoid service disruption and contact Birmingham Telecom today.

Posted on Google Google
Alan Norman profile picture
Alan Norman
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Lee always shares valuable advice, nothing is too much trouble. This is a business that I thoroughly recommend. If anyone is thinking of changing their provider of their cell phone, land line this is the place to go to.
Posted on Google Google
Luke Graham profile picture
Luke Graham
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great customer service! the speed of service was amazing and everything about my experience actually led me to reach out to ask where I leave a review. Top drawer!
Posted on Google Google
H profile picture
H
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The Team at Birmingham Telecom have given us exceptional customer support with unwavering attention to detail. Their team go the extra mile to ensure every issue is resolved swiftly, minimizing business downtime and keeping operations running smoothly. The dedication and professionalism they show is truly impressive, making them our trusted and reliable partner for all of our telecom amd internet needs. We have been with them for over a decade and continue to recommend them as the only company to go to.
Posted on Google Google
Ash Hearing profile picture
Ash Hearing
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
So glad we found this company and so glad they are local. It's so good to deal with local people. Excellent customer service. Always at the end of a phone to answer any queries. We have three locations and we could not be more happy knowing we are in safe hands.
Posted on Google Google
Ian Fowles profile picture
Ian Fowles
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Awesome service from a top class telecommunications provider.
Posted on Google Google
Gavin Miller profile picture
Gavin Miller
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great deal on Jabra headsets👍 Top quality products, 5 * Customer service
Posted on Google Google
Thibault Kitchener profile picture
Thibault Kitchener
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great business, very up to speed and competent bunch.
Posted on Google Google
Brian Garrity profile picture
Brian Garrity
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Very helpful
Posted on Google Google
Thorns Infant School profile picture
Thorns Infant School
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Lee and the team are extremely helpful and we love our new phone system.

Get your FREE BT ISDN Switch Off Review! Call us on 0121 716 8888

3CX Professional Phone System

How can Birmingham Telecom help?

Our experienced technical engineers work closely with businesses across the Midlands to ensure a smooth BT ISDN to VoIP transition before the ISDN switch off date. We do all this while minimising disruption to your day-to-day operations.

Partnering with Birmingham Telecom, you can stay ahead of the UK’s ISDN switch off. With over 44,000 businesses supported and counting, we deliver trusted communication systems that scale with your team.

Your Digital Switchover, Made Easy

The UK’s BT ISDN line switch off is approaching, but there’s no need to worry. We make the transition to digital telecoms simple, offering reliable solutions tailored to your business. From future-ready phone systems to high-speed connectivity, we’ve got everything you need to stay connected.

Explore Business Telephone Systems

TELEPHONE SYSTEMS

Explore our Business Telephone Systems >

FIND OUT MORE
Business Internet

BUSINESS INTERNET

Business Fibre Broadband and Dedicated Internet >

FIND OUT MORE
Upgrade to Digital Voice

DIGITAL VOICE

Digital Voice Solutions for Business of all Sizes >

FIND OUT MORE
BT ISDN Switch Off

BT ISDN SWITCH OFF

Learn more about the BT ISDN Switch Off in 2025 >

FIND OUT MORE
pstn switch off what when timeline 010523

The BT ISDN Switch Off Timeline

With the BT ISDN line Switch Off fast approaching, businesses across the Midlands and the UK must prepare their teams for the future with a transition to digital phone lines.

Planning early will help with number porting, allowing your business to transfer its existing phone number to a cloud-based VoIP service before the 2027 UK deadline.

Stay ahead and take advantage of our free ISDN Switch Off review and we’ll make sure you have everything you need to make the transition.

What are the Benefits of the UK ISDN Switch Off?

Reliable and Faster Broadband

Full fibre broadband is up to 5x more reliable and 25x faster than traditional copper line-based broadband used before the BT PSTN switch off.

Improved Efficiency

Digital voice services like VoIP are more scalable and efficient, as well as being budget friendly.

Better Collaboration

A unified comms infrastructure using platforms like Microsoft Teams and Salesforce helps improve internal communication, especially with remote teams.

Future Proof Technology

Going digital means saying goodbye to outdated, inflexible infrastructure. Scale quickly, add users or locations without fuss, and stay compatible with the latest software and services. 

More Sustainable

Both VoIP Phone Systems and Full fibre connectivity is more energy-efficient and requires less resources than PSTN lines, making for a more sustainable communication infrastructure.

Why Switch with Birmingham Telecom

Price promise

We guarantee that if you find the same switching service cheaper elsewhere, we’ll either match it or beat it.

Reduced costs >

Our strong network of partners saves you 82% against legacy phone lines.

44,000+ customers >

We’ve helped thousands of UK customers modernise their telecoms, from big national names to specialised startups.

In house support >

Our tech support is based in house so you always get to deal with the same people day in, day out.

Transparent billing >

We prepare our bills in house and can guarantee accurate telephone bills every single month.

Switch for FREE >

You won't be charged anything when you go Digital. Everything is handled by our in-house team.

Keep your numbers >

When you switch to a new phone system, we use number porting to make sure your number is transferred.

Telecom experts >

We’re experts in our field with a 99.2% customer retention rate, offering the best service at all times.

ISDN Switch Off FAQs

BT announced that the UK ISDN Switch Off and PSTN Switch Off will take place in two phases.

The first phase involved a stop sell of new services and began on 5th September 2023. This prevented phone providers from placing PSTN single and multi-line orders, plus any order for ISDN2, ISDN30 and ADSL, FTTC and G. fast broadband products.

This stop sell prevents telephone providers from placing PSTN single line orders, PSTN multi line orders plus any order for  ISDN2, ISDN30 and ADSL, FTTC and G.Fast broadband products.

When this deadline is reached you will no longer be able to :-

  1. Transfer any legacy services “Like for Like” between suppliers (PSTN, ISDN ADSL or FTTC)
  2. Place an order to take over a working line Restart a phone line that is currently “stopped” ie. when you move into a new property with a phone socket on the wall
  3. Amend your ISDN DDI range
  4. Increase or decrease your ISDN channels
  5. Convert single analogue lines to multi lines or ISDN
  6. Amend select services on any phone line
  7. Add Broadband (ADSL and FTTC) to PSTN lines
  8. Migrate to non-ultrafast broadband products

 

After the ISDN switch off January 2027 deadline, all analogue services listed above will cease to exist.  As it stands, if you have failed to migrate by this date, you will likely lose your services and phone numbers.

The UK Switch off will affect business using either ISDN or PSTN technology.

Most commonly, the following services use either analogue or ISDN phone lines and need to be upgraded.

Analog telephone lines and voice calls made through PSTN or ISDN will be affected. Both businesses and residential customers will need to migrate to alternative voice services such as Voice over IP (VoIP) or digital telephony solutions.

Fax machines that rely on PSTN or ISDN connections for sending and receiving fax messages will need to be replaced or upgraded to digital alternatives.

Alarm systems that utilize PSTN or ISDN for monitoring and communication, such as burglar alarms or fire alarms, will require alternative methods of connectivity. Alarm system vendors should be contacted to explore options like cellular or internet-based monitoring.

Payment card machines that use PSTN or ISDN lines for transaction processing, such as point-of-sale (POS) terminals, may require migration to IP-based payment solutions or newer card readers that support IP connectivity or a mobile SIM.

Emergency services such as medical alert systems or emergency call points, may be affected by the PSTN switch off. If you use these services, please contact your providers as soon as possible to ensure continuity through alternative communication methods.

Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems that rely on PSTN or ISDN connections for real-time transactions and reporting may need to transition to IP-based or wireless solutions to maintain functionality.

Lift emergency phones that operate on PSTN or ISDN networks will require migration to alternative communication technologies, ensuring uninterrupted access to emergency services.

Telecare services that use PSTN or ISDN for remote monitoring and support for elderly or vulnerable individuals may need to switch to alternative methods such as mobile or internet-based solutions.

Conference calling systems utilizing PSTN or ISDN lines for audio conferencing may require migration to VoIP-based conferencing solutions or online meeting platforms.

Some broadcast services, such as radio station phone-ins or call-in shows, that rely on PSTN or ISDN lines for live interactions with listeners may need to transition to digital platforms or VoIP-based call-in systems.

It’s important to note that your own specific service provider may already offer alternative solutions or guidelines.

If you need any help or need advice relating to any of these services, please contact us on 0121 716 8888. It’s important to note that your own specific service provider may already offer alternative solutions or guidelines.

The ISDN switch off is happening for several reasons.

One primary reason is the advancement and widespread adoption of digital communication technologies that offer better efficiency, flexibility, as well as being more cost effective for all involved.

Additionally, maintaining and supporting outdated ISDN infrastructure has become increasingly expensive for BT Openreach which makes this transition to digital voice necessary.

The BT ISDN line switch off requires businesses to transition their ISDN phone services to alternative technologies, such as voice over internet protocol (VoIP) systems or a cloud-based telephone system.

Ultimately, businesses need to ensure compatibility, assess their needs and plan for the ISDN switch off to avoid disruption to their telephone services.

Benefits of switching include significant cost savings, increased flexibility, improved homeworking capability, enhanced features (at no additional cost) as well as overall improved call quality and a better level of service from your provider.

Although the switch off is happening in December 2026, we highly recommend that you get a head start and switch over as soon as possible.

Businesses are now unable to order new PSTN or ISDN services following the “Stop Sell” in September of 2023 and therefore this could cause severe disruption to your business.

To prepare for the ISDN switch off, we recommend taking an early, staged approach when considering your options.

Whilst most small businesses can be migrated quickly, larger projects need planning and can take time.

Evaluate your current communication infrastructure and identify how ISDN is being used in your business. Then, get advice from a service provider on how alternative technologies such as VoIP systems can help you.

The service provider will plan the transition process, assessing all hardware and software needed and making sure employee onboarding is as smooth as possible.

Some downtime is “possible” during the BT ISDN line switch off, but most of the switch overs we complete happen seamlessly, and we aim to make the changes outside of business hours.

Porting numbers from ISDN to VoIP can cause short interruptions, but this is usually minimal and most of the time now, going Digital is seamless.

Voice over Internet Protocol provides a high call quality, with advanced features like call recording, forwarding and real-time analytics.

VoIP systems make it easy for all teams to communicate, no matter where they are, and because it uses cloud-based systems, it gives more reliability than analogue lines.

ISDN systems often have higher call charges than alternative communication methods, as each phone line needs its own physical connection.

This means you’re paying per user, rather than using a system like VoIP that runs over the internet. ISDN systems also involve more wiring and hardware, which adds cost.

Emergency services and alarm systems that rely on ISDN connections will be impacted by the switch off.

Most alarm providers are already aware of the impact the ISDN switch off BT have scheduled. These companies are likely to have been working on alternative solutions to ensure the continuity of critical services.

If you think you’ll be affected, we recommend contacting the alarm system supplier to discuss your migration options and any necessary upgrades.

Yes – going digital does not mean your business has to lose its established phone number.

When you switch to us, you’ll be able to keep your same number. However, you still have the option to change numbers if you’d like to.

At Birmingham Telecom, we use number porting, which is essentially a number transfer process that we offer for every customer.

The ISDN switch off primarily impacts voice communication services rather than internet connectivity however, it is all a part of the BT switch office which will also affects analogue technology.

Any business customer that still uses ISDN for data services should immediately assess their internet connectivity options and consider upgrading to full fibre or a dedicated leased line alongside their voice migration.

In most cases, the transition from ISDN to digital voice is seamless, provided you work with a qualified supplier.

There are potential challenges you may face when migrating away from ISDN including staff training, network infrastructure and broadband dependency.

When working with a qualified partner such as Birmingham Telecom, these challenges will be minimised.

Absolutely. In fact, we strongly recommend that the sooner the transition the better.

Teams should start planning the migration in advance of the January 2027 switch off date to avoid disruption later.

Yes! We have already helped over 1,000 UK businesses with the PSTN and ISDN switch off.

Get your free PSTN switch off review and take the first step in ensuring your team is prepared for the big switch off.

If you don’t switch before the deadline of January 2027, you could lose access to your existing phone systems.

Your ISDN or Analogue phone lines and systems are likely to stop working completely, causing downtime and loss of business for your communication channels.

PSTN landlines and broadband connections often rely on PSTN, while businesses using ISDN typically use it for multiple phone lines, fax machines or alarm systems.

To determine if your business is using ISDN or PSTN, you can either check your phone bill, looking for terms like ISDN2, analogue lines or PSTN line.

You can also examine your equipment, looking for labels on devices to give an indication of what line your system runs on.

If you are not sure, please call our team on 0121 716 8888 and we will be able to give you an answer almost immediately.

In most cases, you do not need to change your phone numbers when upgrading from ISDN to digital communication systems like VoIP.

Just make sure you’re working with a supplier that supports number porting.

Birmingham Telecom Google Reviews

" An amazing, professional, above and beyond service. Where our old suppliers were terrible and misleading, Birmingham Telecom have been extremely helpful and forthcoming with any issues or charges that we would incur. Can highly recommend this company "

David Edwards

Prime Facility Services

How to prepare for the ISDN switch off

It’s crucial for businesses to future-proof their teams and transition to digital phone systems before the ISDN switch off. Stay ahead of the game and choose our free ISDN switch off review and we’ll make sure your transition is as hassle-free as possible.

Get a FREE ISDN Switch Off Review

Fill out the form below and arrange for a review of whether your existing services are be affected by the BT ISDN Switch Off.

Save Money

Save up to 82% when you upgrade to SIP Trunking

Switch Provider

Switch to a more reliable, cheaper, UK provider

Get a FREE Quote

FREE comparison against your existing supplier

The ISDN Switch Off Is Coming. We can Help You Upgrade Without the Headache

To find out how Birmingham Telecom can help save up to 82% on your current phone bills. Call our team on 0121 716 8888 for a FREE, no obligation quote.

Save Money

Save up to 80% against your existing provider

Switch Provider

Switch to a more reliable, cheaper, UK supplier

Get a FREE Quote

FREE comparison against your existing carrier

Birmingham Telecom

Needs Telecoms Help? Complete our Enquiry Form for a FREE Quotation

or if you prefer, please call our team on 0121 716 8888 for help, advice or to get a quote on any services you need.

Managed IT Support

Day to day IT management to keep your team productive and your systems stable.

Cyber Security

Keep your business protected with layered security, updates and threat monitoring from our team.

Microsoft 365 & Cloud

We can handle the setup, support and management of Microsoft 365, email and secure cloud working.

Looking to switch your IT Support to Birmingham Telecom ?

If you prefer to have a brief chat, call our IT Support Team on 0121 716 8888 to get started.

Save Money

Save up to 82% when you upgrade your phone system

Switch Provider

Switch to a more reliable, cheaper, UK provider

Get a FREE Quote

FREE comparison against your existing supplier

Birmingham Telecom

Need a new telephone system? Get a Fast, Same Day quote

Find out how we can help provide you with the right business telephone system, saving you up to 82%. Call our team on 0121 716 8888 for your FREE quotation.