Will VoIP Replace My Landline?
About the Author
Yes, and it's already happening. The UK's traditional landline network is being switched off permanently on 31 January 2027. Every business in the country will need to move to a fully digital alternative, and VoIP is what replaces it. If you've been wondering what that means for your business phones, your existing number and your day-to-day calls, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Changes When You Move to VoIP?
In practice, very little day-to-day. You keep your existing phone number via number porting, use familiar handsets and make calls as you always have. The difference is that your voice travels as data packets over your broadband connection rather than a copper wire. With a cloud-hosted system from The VoIP Shop, your call routing happens in a secure data centre, not a box on your wall.
Where Does VoIP Beat a Traditional Landline?
The most immediate difference is cost. With calls travelling over your existing broadband, there is no separate line rental. Unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles are included as standard.
Functionality is another area where VoIP pulls ahead. Features like voicemail-to-email, call recording, auto attendant and conference calling come included, not as paid extras. Modern systems also include call transcription and voicemail summaries.
Scaling is simple, add or remove users in minutes through an online portal, with no engineer visits and no downtime.
For remote or hybrid teams, mobile and desktop apps turn any device into a full office extension, wherever your team is working.
Where Did Traditional Landlines Have an Edge? and How Is That Addressed?
- Power cuts — traditional copper lines worked without mains power; VoIP requires your router to stay on. A UPS backup and mobile failover routing solve this — see our guide on keeping VoIP running during a power cut
- Emergency calls — VoIP requires a registered location for 999 services; this is handled as part of onboarding
- Broadband dependency — a reliable connection underneath your calls is essential; see our business broadband options if your current connection needs upgrading
What Is the PSTN Switch-Off and When Does It Happen?
The BT landline switchover is happening on 31 January 2027, whether you're ready or not. Businesses that leave it late risk disruption, rushed migrations and compatibility issues with alarms, lifts, EPOS systems and card machines. The VoIP Shop offers a free migration assessment and handles the entire switchover, from dealing with your existing provider to porting your number. For the full picture, see our Big Switch Off guide.
Is Now the Right Time to Switch From a Landline to VoIP?
Yes, the earlier you move, the more time you have to migrate at your own pace rather than under deadline pressure. Number porting is straightforward, setup is typically complete within days, and your existing number stays the same throughout.
Get in touch with our team for a free migration assessment before the January 2027 deadline.
Written By | About the Author
Kully has over 15 years of experience in the VoIP and telecoms industry. Drawing on a background in telecoms sales and leadership, he provides expert, impartial advice on VoIP and cloud telephony solutions. As a lead author for The VoIP Shop, Kully helps businesses understand and adopt modern communication technologies
