The UK’s telecommunications industry is retiring the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by 27 January 2027. This change, known as the Big Switch Off, will affect every business and household still relying on analogue lines. For healthcare practices, dental clinics, optometry centres and veterinary surgeries, this isn’t just a technical upgrade, it’s a compliance and patient safety issue. Microminder VoIP ensures continuity, reliability and compliance during this transition.
The PSTN has been in service for decades. Spare parts are no longer manufactured, and faults are increasing. In 2024 alone, incidents rose by 45%, showing the network’s unreliability.
Healthcare and dental practices rely on uninterrupted communication for patient records, emergency calls and telecare. A missed migration could mean loss of connectivity for critical systems like phones.
Microminder’s VoIP ports existing numbers, integrates with PBX systems, and supports both desk phones and mobile apps. This ensures no downtime during the transition.
Microminder doesn’t just deliver VoIP, it also provides specialised cybersecurity solutions designed for healthcare and dental practices. While VoIP ensures reliable, modern communication, Microminder’s wider services protect patient data, block cyber breach attempts and support GDPR‑aligned compliance across your IT environment in addition to IT support. Together, these solutions give practices both secure connectivity and robust cyber defence.
Unlike copper lines, VoIP runs on resilient IP networks, offering clearer calls, remote access, and scalable solutions for growing practices
Openreach have advised that all migration orders should be underway by 30 October 2026 to allow time to resolve any challenges that may arise. Any migrations placed after this date carry a continuity of service risk.
The Big Switch Off is not optional, by 27 January 2027, analogue lines will be gone. Practices that delay risk losing their ability to communicate with patients and colleagues. Microminder’s VoIP provides a reliable, future ready communication solution, ensuring your practice stays connected without interruption.
Your analogue lines will stop working, leaving phones, alarms, and payment systems disconnected.
Yes. Microminder VoIP ports your current numbers seamlessly to digital systems.
