What will happen to businesses when landlines go digital?

16/07/25 Wavenet

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Preparing your business for the WLR switch-off and ensuring a smooth transition

Most businesses currently rely on traditional analogue lines, ISDN, or broadband connected through Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) – the infrastructure powering your calls, data, security systems, and more. But the truth is, the WLR switch-off is on the horizon – and it’s affecting businesses in ways they might not be expecting. It’s not just about telephony! Do you really know what your WLR lines are powering? And what your options are?

The countdown is on - Openreach’s deadline to shut down traditional analogue phone lines, ISDN, broadband, and other vital WLR-connected services is January 2027 (or even sooner). If you’re not fully prepared, your business could face serious disruption:

Your phones may stop ringing, cutting off essential customer contact

Lifts and critical facilities could cease functioning

Broadband and internet services might go offline unexpectedly

Your customers’ access to your services could be lost

What exactly are your WLR lines powering?

Many businesses don’t realise just how much relies on their existing WLR lines and traditional networks. The PSTN and WLR include more than just voice calls; they power card payment terminals, security alarms, lift controls, entry systems, CCTV, emergency systems, and many other critical business operations.

Without a clear understanding of which lines are used for what, you risk missing vital services during the switch-over. Managing large estates or multiple sites makes this even trickier – you may be unaware of what lines you have, what they’re used for, where they’re located, or what they are connected to, creating a significant business risk.

What do you do when landlines go digital?

Don’t wait until disruption strikes. The earlier you identify your current setup and plan your migration, the smoother and more secure your transition will be.

Download our free WLR Audit Factsheet – a straightforward guide to show you how we can help.

Stay ahead of the clock. Take control now to ensure your business’s ongoing communications and critical services remain unaffected.

Visit wavenet.co.uk/pstn-switch-off  for more information. 

Download the WLR Audit Factsheet here

Download now

Unified Communications & Voice, Blogs, Switch-off, WLR

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