Modern operations need connectivity that is fast, resilient, and future-proof. Legacy phone lines and copper-based circuits were built for a different era, and they now hold teams back. The move to all-IP is not only about phones – it is about standardizing on a flexible, software-defined foundation that touches every workflow.
The clock is ticking on legacy networks
In the UK, the old public switched telephone network is on a retirement timetable that is now measured in months, not decades. Government guidance explains that the industry upgrade to VoIP is expected to be complete by January 2027, which sets a clear deadline for stragglers. A briefing from the House of Commons Library added that millions of residential landline customers still sit on the old platform, underscoring the scale of the change that remains.
Vendors are moving too. Coverage in the trade press noted that the PSTN will be permanently retired by January 2027 and highlighted major migrations already underway. The combination of policy deadlines and supplier action means executives cannot treat this as a back-burner project.
How to approach your migration
Start with a current-state map of every service that touches the old network, from phones and alarms to point-of-sale and lifts. For a deeper primer, many organizations look for guidance for moving to all‑IP services as they structure their migration plan. Then phase your cutovers by business risk, so critical lines and life-safety systems get dedicated testing and fallback.
Create a cross-functional team. Facilities, security, operations, and IT each own part of the puzzle. Agree on how you will test, train, and communicate with end users before the first line is ported.
The business case: resilience and cost
All-IP simplifies your network and reduces dependency on aging copper. A policy paper from a US regulator argued that retiring legacy copper frees up investment for modern infrastructure and can redirect billions toward better networks. That capital shift shows up locally as more reliable services and improved service-levels for teams.
Operational savings are real, too. IP voice and data can share links, which trims duplicate circuits and maintenance contracts. Standard APIs then let you automate failover and call handling, which cuts downtime and supports hybrid work without bolt-on hardware.
Network readiness is finally here
One reason some businesses postponed migration was coverage. That picture has changed. Ofcom’s most recent Connected Nations update reported that full-fibre now reaches well over half of UK premises, bringing low-latency links that make IP voice and real-time apps feel natural.
With higher-grade access comes a cleaner core. Cloud peering and SD-WAN give you path diversity and traffic shaping across regions. The result is fewer voice quality complaints and less hands-on patching for your teams.
Critical services and compliance
Not every use case is a desk phone. Lone-worker alarms, lift lines, door entry systems, and payment terminals must all work after the switch. An economic study of the UK market estimated that tens of millions of lines still connect through PSTN-era technologies, so the long tail is wide and varied. That makes inventory and lab testing essential before you touch a live site.
Public sector and regulated industries have extra obligations. A study released by a national carrier argued that a digital network upgrade could reduce emergency callouts and free up resources for health and council services. That kind of impact matters to boards, because it blends risk reduction with measurable social value.
Practical checks for special devices
- Confirm power resilience for IP adapters and routers
- Test alarm panels and elevator phones with your monitoring provider
- Validate payment terminals for out-of-band failover
- Simulate broadband and power cuts to confirm backup behavior
- Document who is called when a test fails and what the rollback is
Smarter voice and new workflows
Migration is not a like-for-like swap. Once calls move onto IP, you can centralize trunks, apply policy in software, and integrate call data with CRMs. Market analysts tracking SIP trunking expected double-digit growth through the decade, reflecting the shift to programmable, consolidated voice.
That programmability feeds analytics and customer experience. Call recording can be policy-based instead of device-based. IVRs can be updated with a pull request instead of a site visit. Teams gain features without forklift upgrades.
People, process, and change management
The hardest part is often human. Staff are used to analog dial tones and wall sockets. Plan simple training and keep the new experience familiar, with clear labels, short videos, and quick-reference guides.
Suppliers need managing too. News coverage highlighted that one provider migrated hundreds of thousands of business lines in a single year, which shows the pace is high. Lock in your slot early, clarify responsibilities, and insist on joint testing so no one assumes someone else owns the last mile.
No single driver explains the shift to all-IP – it is the sum of reliability, flexibility, and readiness meeting a hard deadline. With a clear plan, strong testing, and steady communications, the transition becomes a chance to simplify the network and modernize how people work.