End of phone service

[#1]

I know that my landline will cease when I eventually move to fttp, my question is as follows.

Is plusnet continuing the service until an exchange goes fully fibre or has plusnet decided on a global end date?

[#2]

@stevejd58 

The date for the switch off of the PSTN telephone network has been set by Openreach as the end of next year except in exceptional circumstances. Plusnet have not announced their plans but it will have to be before that date.

This is totally unconnected with the availability of FTTP. Digital phone services work with all broadband connections.

[#3]

The UK government suggests January 2027

See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-transition-from-analogue-to-digital-landlines 

Some exchanges may be switched off in advance of that date

[#4]

@stevejd58 

The January 2007 is only for those lines that have been extended due to exceptional circumstances. OR are pulling the plug on 31st December 2025.

PN may hold out until then but I would suspect it might be slightly earlier to clear their accounts before the Christmas period.

If you wish to retain a "landline" abeit VOIP you would either have to move to an ISP who does both or use an independant VOIP provider. If you don't make many outgoing calls or can use you mobile A&A can be recomended. They have a good FAQ on VOIP.

https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/

You can preempt the the closure by moving anytime you wish. Assuming you're on FTTC their is a product called SOGEA which is internet only. PN will move you onto that at the cost of a new contract.

Brian

[#5]

@bmc 

Are you suggesting the UK government link has incorrect information?

See also

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/05/openreach-update-as-analogue-uk-phone-switch-off-delay... 

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/landline-phones/future-of-landline-calls/ 

 All relevant information suggest PSTN will be retried by Openreach by January 2027 not totally switch off at the end of 2025, why would I have been able to renew my Line rental contract until mid May 2026?

[#6]

@Dan_the_Van 

I guess that it's how 'switch off' is defined. The fact that PSTN is still active doesn't mean that it's available for ISPs to use, as the WLR switch off has demonstrated.

Reading the May update to this: https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/05/openreach-update-as-analogue-uk-phone-switch-off-delay... :

According to our sources, Openreach’s approach to this means they’ll still be terminating existing WLR contracts for ISPs at the end of December 2025 and expect the migration to continue at pace, which is in line with the previous plan. But after this date, the operator will introduce new terms and a three-month termination notice period to continue services where needed and enable some flexibility to support future processes.

Whether this is correct and what the 3 month notice extension conditions will be?

[#7]

@Dan_the_Van 

If you read the update at the end of the ISPReview article you'll see it says they’ll still be terminating existing WLR contracts for ISPs at the end of December 2025.

Only those lines that have been granted an extension due to exceptional circumstances will continue until Jan 2027 at the latest.

Brian

[#8]

@bmc @Baldrick1 

I tend to believe government and their agencies information rather than the press opinion. I generally do not use ISPReview for reliable information.

The point I was making is the service is not being turned off as suggested, it is a phased not being used anymore.

Be interesting to see if plusnet have to brake my 18 month contract as a result of this.

[#9]

@Dan_the_Van 

I know no more than you but I believe that the approach taken with the ending of Plusnet mobile was either a deal to swap to EE or the option to leave.

From the T's and C's:

16. Our right to suspend your service or end our agreement

16.1. We can suspend or stop providing our services and/or end our agreement where:

16.1.1. our ability to continue to provide the service to you is materially and adversely affected because: (i) any of our telecommunications carrier(s) or supplier(s) ceases to provide services to us; or (ii) any authorisation required by us ends or is changed;

[#10]

@Dan_the_Van 

While technically PSTN will continue untill the 31st of January, 1927 for the vast majority of users it ends in December 2025. This is when BT Wholesale terminate the WLR contracts.

I would be very surprised if PN didn't have a similar paragraph in their landline contract as they appear to have had for the mobile service. Hence they would be able to withdraw phone services even if you are in contract.

If your landline matters to you I would suggest you start making plans for VOIP. I speculate PN will terminate around the end of November to clear the decks before Christmas 2025.

Brian

[#11]

Thank you both for your opinions

My last comment will be many things can change over the next 12 months and to speculate on anything is really not wise.

As to VoIP, currently I am paying same price for Unlimited Fibre Extra with Landline as I would be for part Fibre Technology why change until I'm forced.

Like your date typo 😂

[#12]

---

@Dan_the_Van wrote:

Like your date typo 😂

---

Yep, those typos creep in everywhere, often giving a completely different meaning to what one is trying to convey. 

" All relevant information suggest PSTN will be retried by Openreach by January 2027 not totally switch off at the end of 2025,"

[#13]

@RobPN 

It had to be you 🙄

[#14 · Accepted solution]

OK,based on what I have read below and further research I found this which pretty much confirms the discussions.

Briefing for all Communications Providers (CPs) 

So unless my exchange changes before then, I have another year.