December 2025 Openreach All-IP and Exchange Exit Industry Update

Friday 30 January 2026 - BSIA Technical

Please find below a summary of the December 2025 Openreach All-IP and Exchange Exit Industry Update, based on the latest slide deck released by Openreach. This briefing highlights the main developments relevant to security installers, ARCs, manufacturers and those responsible for maintaining equipment affected by the PSTN withdrawal. Openreach_All_IP_and_Exchange_Exit_Industry (1).pdf

Key Headlines

  • The PSTN/WLR network remains on track for withdrawal by 31st January 2027. The system is ageing, increasingly difficult to maintain, and Openreach emphasises the need for accelerated migration.
  • 3 million PSTN/WLR customers remain, with migration rates slowing throughout 2025. Some Communication Providers (CPs) remain unengaged and show little movement in their customer base.
  • Openreach stresses continued concern that large volumes of migrations may be left to the end of the programme, causing engineering bottlenecks.
  • Openreach will start its ‘BT Business Protective migrations’ from January 2026 to meet its commitment to remove all BT Business lines of the PSTN by January 2027.

 Why the Transition Is Critical

  • The PSTN is outdated, unreliable and costly to maintain. Moving to fibre and digital services provides:
    • improved reliability.
    • higher speeds.
    • future-proofed communications infrastructure.
    • reduced power consumption and environmental benefits.

 Feedback from the telecoms Industry and other stakeholders (including security)

Openreach highlighted several recurring themes from CPs and stakeholders:

·       Expectation among some that the withdrawal date may be extended.

·       End customers often “don’t want to move” or are reluctant due to perceived cost.

·       Low awareness among consumers, with calls for Openreach to increase communications efforts.

·       A strong message from industry: “We need to keep people safe” during the transition, particularly those with telecare and other vulnerable users.

 Exchange Exit and Telecare Pilots

  • Openreach continues to run Exchange Exit pilots, including work with the Prove Telecare programme.
  • These pilots inform how best to migrate vulnerable groups and test new digital solutions.
  • Concerns remain that delaying transitions could create significant pressure on engineering resources as deadlines approach.

What Happens in 2027?

Following January 2027:

  • Migration to digital services (e.g. SOGEA/FTTP) becomes mandatory.
  • Voice services will be delivered over broadband, with many legacy telephony features no longer supported.
  • Customers may be moved to a basic voice service at a higher price if they have not proactively migrated.

Protecting Vulnerable Customers

Openreach outlined measures taken to support vulnerable groups, including:

  • targeted engagement initiatives.
  • collaboration with DSIT and charities.
  • greater focus on testing in telecare environments.

These efforts remain a priority as the industry transitions away from the PSTN.

Next Steps for Members

We encourage all BSIA members to:

  • Manufacturers – test equipment on digital networks wherever possible and flag any concerns to the BSIA Technical Team.
  • Installers - review your remaining PSTN-connected estate and identify outstanding migrations.
  • Installers – engage with your end users to ensure minimal disruption.
  • Installers / ARCs – engage proactively with alarm signalling solutions providers to ensure suitable solutions are available.
  • All members – use this circular to inform internal planning, marketing communications, and customer engagement.

 IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY: If you have any specific questions for Openreach regarding the above update, please reach out to us now since we are hosting a podcast shortly with their director responsible for the ALL-IP migrations. 

We have a wealth of information on our website that you can refer to / use with clients should you need to. Should you require further guidance, please contact the Technical Services team at technical@bsia.co.uk.