Can we keep our existing phone number after the copper switch-off?

In almost all cases, yes. Existing numbers can be moved across to a modern phone system before the old line is switched off — it just needs to happen ahead of the cut-off, not after.

Deadline Approaching / BT Copper Switch-Off

Practical Help With a Deadline That Affects More Than Just Your Phones

Q: Will a simple adapter box fix the BT copper switch-off for us?

Sometimes, but not always. A basic adapter that converts an old phone line to an internet line still needs power and broadband to work, so it isn't automatically a safe replacement for something like a lift line, which needs to keep working in a power cut. Each device needs checking against what it actually requires before recommending a fix.

Q: Do we need to do anything if we've already moved to a cloud phone system?

Possibly. Even if the main phone system has already moved, it's worth checking whether alarms, lifts, door entry systems or payment terminals are still quietly using an old copper line in the background.

The UK's traditional copper phone network — the one that's carried calls for decades — is being switched off nationally, in favour of internet-based lines. Most businesses know this affects their phones. Fewer realise it also affects things quietly relying on the same old lines, and find out the hard way.

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Time Until National Switch-Off

-- DAYS

-- HRS

-- MIN

-- SEC

Target date: 31 January 2027. Many local exchanges will stop taking copper orders well before this — and once that happens, there are no warnings before a line simply stops working.

What's Actually at Risk

More Than Just the Office Phones

A surprising number of everyday systems quietly depend on the old copper network. If nobody's checked, there's a decent chance you've got at least one of these still running on it — and you won't know until it stops.

notifications_active

Alarm systemsIntruder and fire alarms that dial out over an old phone line.

elevator

Lift emergency phonesThe help line inside a lift, which needs to keep working if someone's stuck.

sensor_door

Door entry systemsIntercoms and entry buzzers wired into the same old lines.

point_of_sale

Payment terminalsOlder card machines that dial out to process transactions.

How I Help

Find It, Replace It, Move On

Find every device on copper

I walk your site (or sites) and identify everything still quietly relying on the old lines.

Put a practical plan in place

Tested replacements for each device, sequenced so nothing gets missed or left until the last minute.

Migrate before the deadline

A calm, planned switch-over — rather than a last-minute scramble when a line stops working.

Common Questions

A Few Things People Ask

Will a simple adapter box fix this for us?

Sometimes — but not always. A basic adapter that converts an old phone line to an internet line still needs power and broadband to work, so it isn't automatically a safe replacement for something like a lift line, which needs to keep working in a power cut. I check what each device actually needs before recommending a fix.

Can we keep our existing phone number?

In almost all cases, yes. Existing numbers can be moved across to a modern phone system before your old line is switched off — it just needs to happen ahead of the cut-off, not after.

Do we need to do anything if we've already moved to a cloud phone system?

Possibly — even if your main phone system has already moved, it's worth checking whether alarms, lifts, door entry or payment terminals are still quietly using an old line in the background.

Not sure what's still running on copper at your site?

A free analysis is the easiest way to find out.

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