The legacy system has served the country for more than 75 years and is now being retired. Beyond traditional phone lines, the PSTN plays a crucial role in supporting essential services for both local government and the wider public. By January 2027, Openreach will shut down the wholesale line rental (WLR) network for good, and the public sector needs to ensure critical services are ready.
However, BT strongly recommends migrating by December 2025 to give local governments enough time for a smooth transition before the switch-off. Taking action early means organisations can test equipment thoroughly, minimise disruption, and avoid the risks of leaving essential services to the last minute.
The time to act is now
The legacy network underpins more than just phone calls. Councils rely on it to run telecare alarms and healthcare sensors for vulnerable residents, CCTV for community safety, traffic lights, emergency response coordination, security alarms in public buildings, and even environmental monitoring. These are the everyday services that communities cannot afford to see disrupted.
And with this ageing system increasingly struggling to keep pace with modern demands, the risk to these critical services is growing. Faults are rising daily, spare parts were last manufactured in the 1980s, and maintaining copper carries a significant carbon footprint. This means that if local authorities don't migrate soon, not only are phone lines at risk, but up to 133 identified edge use cases (anything connected to the PSTN that isn't a phone line), could be disabled – leaving citizens vulnerable in critical situations.
What local authorities should do next
Beyond replacing old lines, this transition unlocks new possibilities. Moving to a digital network enables councils to improve reliability and deliver more sustainable services – creating a stronger digital foundation for the communities they support.
The benefits will not just surpass simple outage prevention: they will modernise operations, strengthen security against cyber threats, improve service delivery, and reduce emissions in line with net zero goals. It delivers greater efficiency, enables unified communications to support mobile and remote working, and ensures infrastructure builds long-term resilience and better outcomes.
Councils need to meet the evolving needs of their citizens, so having the right future-proofed infrastructure not only protects their operations but also allows them to take advantage of new and emerging technology to improve their offering to society.
Despite these hurdles, the opportunity is clear. Migrating to all-IP networks enables authorities to consolidate communications, streamline processes, and improve citizen outcomes. Services become more reliable, departments better connected, and journeys more efficient.
How BT can unlock the benefits of digital
To make the transition manageable, BT offers a comprehensive package of support designed around the needs of local authorities. Dedicated migration specialists work with the public sector to understand their challenges and conduct detailed audits to map every circuit and service – even obscure connections like vending machines or lift alarms.
BT's digital test labs allow councils and organisations to check whether their existing equipment will continue to work on the new all-IP network. Where eligible, devices can be supported with technology that helps maintain critical services for up to five more years. BT's soft cease solution also enables lines to be temporarily and safely deactivated, helping identify what's still connected to the PSTN without causing disruption.
When it's time to retire equipment, BT's managed removal services include secure data wiping and the potential to recover value through resale.
The clock is ticking. Local authorities that move early with BT can seize this challenge to deliver improved services, safer communities, and a better-connected future – not just for organisations, but for the people they serve.
To find out more and hear from our local government experts, watch our Switch To All-IP Today webinar at https://business.bt.com/insights/events/switch-to-all-ip-webinar/. If you have already taken steps to make the switch but need support, please get in touch with your account manager today.
Professor Sultan Mahmud is Director of Health and Communities, Business at BT Group
