In January 2027, the UK’s analogue telephone network will be permanently retired. For most people, the change will be straightforward — a call from their provider, a new router connection, and life continues as before. For blind and partially sighted people who have relied on a landline as their primary means of communication, the picture is more complicated. And for many, the clock is already running. This guide explains what the switch-off actually involves, what the specific implications are for people with sight loss, and what alternatives are available before January 2027.
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What is the UK landline switch-off?
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The UK’s telecommunications industry has been planning the retirement of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) — the analogue infrastructure that has carried landline calls in the UK for decades — since 2017. Most customers are expected to have made the switch by the end of January 2027.
The PSTN is being replaced by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology — digital phone services delivered via a broadband internet connection. The change is industry-led, not a government mandate, and is happening because analogue networks have reached the end of their serviceable life, and suppliers are no longer manufacturing the parts required to maintain them.
The important thing to know upfront: nobody will have to lose their landline service because of this change, as there will still be the option for a landline-only service should a customer not wish to purchase a general internet connection. The landline as a concept is not going away. What’s changing is the technology underneath it. For the government’s full guidance, see: gov.uk/guidance/uk-transition-from-analogue-to-digital-landlines
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Why might this matter more for blind and partially sighted people?
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For many sighted people, the switch-off is genuinely low-impact. Their smartphone is already their primary phone. The landline is something they plug into the broadband router. For a significant number of blind and partially sighted people — particularly older adults — this isn’t the case. The landline has been the communication device that actually works. It doesn’t require navigating a touchscreen, finding an app, or managing a visual interface. You pick it up. You dial. It works. The switch-off disrupts that simplicity in several ways:
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New equipment may not be accessible.
Digital landline adapters and VoIP handsets vary considerably in their accessibility. Some require setup via apps or web interfaces; some have small buttons with poor tactile distinction; some require visual menus to access basic functions. The equipment your provider sends may not work the same way your old handset did. UK landline switch off 2027 blind and partially sighted.
Power cuts are a new risk.
This is one of the most significant practical changes. The analogue landline carries a low-voltage power connection directly from the telephone exchange, which is sufficient to power some basic corded handsets without needing to plug them into the wall. Digital landlines cannot carry a power connection, which means handsets and routers will not function in a power cut unless you have a backup power system. For people who rely on their phone for safety — to call family, to contact emergency services, to manage health conditions — losing phone access during a power cut is a serious concern. Communications providers are required by Ofcom to provide at least one solution enabling emergency access for a minimum of one hour in the event of a power outage, offered free of charge to those who depend on their landline. Ask your provider about this specifically.
The migration process itself may be inaccessible.
Your provider will contact you about the switch. That communication may arrive by letter, email, or through an online portal. For people with significant sight loss, engaging with migration materials that haven’t been made accessible is an added burden at an already disruptive moment. UK landline switch off 2027 blind and partially sighted.
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What protections exist for vulnerable customers?
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The government and Ofcom have put specific protections in place. The UK’s leading communications providers — including BT, Virgin Media O2, Sky, and TalkTalk — signed a Charter of commitments for protecting telecare users and other vulnerable customers in December 2023. Ofcom states that communications providers should take steps to identify at-risk customers and engage in effective communications to ensure all eligible customers are protected throughout the upgrade process. In practice, this means:
- If you notify your provider that you are a vulnerable customer or have additional needs, they are required to ensure the migration doesn’t leave you without communication access
- If you have telecare devices (alarm systems, falls detectors) connected to your landline, these need specific attention — they may not work on a digital line without an adaptor or upgrade
- Emergency access during power cuts must be provided free of charge for those who depend on their landline
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The most important action you can take right now is to contact your telephone provider and tell them you or the person you’re supporting is blind or partially sighted and relies on the landline.
This flags you as a vulnerable customer before the migration happens, not during it. RNIB’s helpline — 0303 123 9999 — can also advise on navigating the switch-off and what to expect from your provider.
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What are the alternatives?
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The switch-off is also an opportunity. Many people who have relied on a landline because smartphones felt too complicated are finding that newer accessible options now work better for them than the landline ever did.
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Digital landline adaptors
For people who want to continue using a traditional handset, a VoIP adaptor plugs into your broadband router and allows you to use your existing phone. Your number stays the same; the call quality is typically similar or better. This is the most minimal change possible and suits people whose main concern is keeping what they have.
Smart speakers
Amazon Echo and Google Nest devices allow voice calls without any screen or buttons. You say “Alexa, call Mum” and it dials. For low-tech, hands-free communication, this works well — but it requires a broadband connection and isn’t suitable as the only communication device.
Voice-first smartphones
For people who want to replace the landline with something that does more — calls, messages, navigation, audiobooks, access to news — a voice-operated smartphone is worth knowing about. RealSAM Pocket is a smartphone built specifically for blind and partially sighted users. There is no touchscreen to navigate, no apps to find, no menus to scroll. You tap the screen once and say what you want. Calls, texts, music, the weather, guided navigation — all by voice. In some ways it’s simpler than a landline, and considerably more capable. It is also worth noting: unlike a digital landline, RealSAM Pocket uses a mobile network rather than a broadband connection, which means it continues to work if your home internet goes down.
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Supporting a parent or relative
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A significant number of the conversations we have at RealSAM are with adult children who are researching on behalf of a parent. If that’s you, a few practical steps:
- Contact their provider now. Register them as a vulnerable customer before the migration starts. This gives them priority support and protects their access throughout the transition.
- Find out what device they’ll need. Ask the provider specifically what equipment will be required, whether it is accessible, and whether setup can be done on the customer’s behalf.
- Consider whether this is the moment to explore alternatives. If a parent has been struggling with their smartphone for some time, the landline switch-off is a natural moment to look at what else is available. A voice-first device might suit them significantly better than either a digital landline or a standard mobile. If you’d like to find out whether RealSAM Pocket might be a good fit, our team is happy to talk it through — no pressure and no obligation. You can reach us at realsam.co.uk/pocket.
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Key dates and actions
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Now: Contact your telephone provider and register as a vulnerable customer if you or someone you support has sight loss or relies on the landline.
Before January 2027: Make sure any telecare devices connected to your landline are compatible with digital services — check with the device manufacturer.
Before January 2027: Arrange battery backup for emergency access, or confirm your provider will supply this free of charge.
For further guidance: Ofcom’s consumer guide to the switch-off is at ofcom.org.uk. RNIB’s helpline is 0303 123 9999. UK landline switch off 2027 blind and partially sighted.
RealSAM Pocket is a voice-operated smartphone for blind and partially sighted people — no screen navigation, no apps, no menus. Tap once and talk. Find out more at realsam.co.uk/pocket →
