Full fibre business broadband, and what the 2027 switch off means for you
BT expects every customer to be off the old analogue phone network by the end of January 2027. For most businesses that means full fibre broadband with digital phone lines. This guide covers what full fibre is, what to check before you switch, and how to avoid overpaying once you have.
Full fibre, superfast or a leased line?
Full fibre
Fibre optic cable all the way to your building. The fastest and most reliable option for most businesses, with much faster uploads.
Superfast
Fibre to the street cabinet, then copper to your building. Speeds drop the further you are from the cabinet.
Leased line
A dedicated connection with guaranteed speeds and faster fixes, at a higher price. See leased line costs.
The 2027 switch off
The old copper phone network, the PSTN, is being retired. BT now expects all customers to be moved off it by the end of January 2027. Phone calls move onto broadband, and some equipment needs checking first: alarms, lift and emergency lines, and card terminals that still use an analogue line.
Small business broadband: what you actually need
Speed both ways
Uploads matter for backups, video calls and cloud tills, not just downloads.
Fix times
Business service levels promise faster repairs than home broadband.
Static IP
Needed for some card terminals, CCTV and remote access.
Backup
A 4G or 5G backup keeps you trading if the line goes down.
Contract
The length, the end date and what you pay after it.
Price rises
Set out in pounds and pence, not an inflation formula.
Avoid overpaying after you switch
The biggest cost is often what happens after the deal ends, when out of contract broadband and phone bills creep up. Since 17 January 2025, Ofcom has banned inflation and percentage based price rise terms in new phone and broadband contracts, so rises must be shown in pounds and pence. Check yours and diary the end date.
OptiFlow Watch checks your broadband and phone bills and flags when you are paying more than you should.
Questions people ask
Is full fibre available at my address?
Check with a provider’s postcode checker or Openreach’s fibre checker. Coverage is growing fast but still varies street by street.
What happens to my phone line?
Calls move onto your broadband as internet calls, often called VoIP or digital voice. You can usually keep your number.
Do I need new equipment?
Usually a new router, plus internet phones or an adapter for your existing handsets. Check alarms, lift lines and card terminals with their suppliers.
Can my provider put prices up mid contract?
For contracts taken out since 17 January 2025, Ofcom requires price rises to be set out in pounds and pence at the point of sale rather than linked to inflation. Check how this applies to your business contract.
Are you paying too much for broadband?
Run the free bill checker on your broadband, phone and energy costs.
Related reading: Business broadband deals, Compare business broadband, Business phone and broadband bundles, Leased line costs.