In short: Emergency Voice Access (EVAc) is Openreach's temporary, voice-only fallback for eligible single analogue lines that have not moved by 31 January 2027. Managed migrations start on 1 February 2027 with voice-only lines, and only a limited set of calling features remains. It is not available for ISDN or multiline services and is not a long-term solution.
What is Emergency Voice Access?
Emergency Voice Access (Openreach shortens it to EVAc, and also calls it Emergency Voice and Access Continuity) is a safety net for the end of the PSTN switch-off. When the analogue network closes on 31 January 2027, some single lines will still not have moved to a digital service. Rather than leave those lines dead, Openreach plans to move them onto a temporary service that keeps basic voice calls working.
Openreach describes it as a temporary, emergency, voice-only service that keeps basic calls working for a limited time, and says it may not support the calling features you use today. Its briefing to phone companies is blunter: calls can still be made and received, but only a limited set of calling and network features remains. It is there to protect people who have been missed, not to give anyone more time to decide.
Who will be moved, and when
This is the plan Openreach set out in its September 2026 briefing to phone companies:
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| By 31 January 2027 | Final date for providers to submit migration orders, bulk migration submissions and provider-requested ceases |
| 1 February 2027 | New wholesale pricing, service levels and terms apply to remaining WLR3 lines. Managed migrations to Emergency Voice Access begin, starting with SOLUS lines (voice-only lines with no broadband on them) |
| 31 March 2027 | Any open migration order whose completion date moves beyond this date is cancelled |
| From mid-April 2027 | Openreach expects to move lines that have broadband on them, keeping the broadband running as a short-term standalone service |
Openreach manages these migrations exchange by exchange. Phone companies cannot choose the date, Openreach aims to give at least 14 days' notice, and it does not guarantee that every line can move; some lines will be ceased instead. Where capacity is constrained, lines believed to support telecare-reliant customers or critical national infrastructure get priority.
Wholesale rental for remaining WLR3 lines rises from 1 February 2027, whether a line is still on the PSTN, being migrated or already on Emergency Voice Access, and automatic compensation for faults ends. Openreach may refine the detail as the programme closes, so check with us for your lines.
What Emergency Voice Access does not do
- It does not cover ISDN or multiline services. It is for eligible single lines. Openreach tells phone companies to migrate or cease all ISDN and multiline services by the deadline, so an ISDN phone system must be moved. See ISDN replacement.
- It is voice only. Only a limited set of calling and network features remains.
- It is not guaranteed for devices. Do not assume alarms, lift phones, card machines, franking or fax will work on it. See alarm and special lines.
- It is temporary. It keeps calls working for a limited period while the line is moved properly.
- It is not cheaper. Wholesale rental for remaining WLR3 lines rises from 1 February 2027, and service levels change.
- It is not a destination. Leaving it later still means ordering a new digital line and ceasing the Emergency Voice Access line, with the number exported where needed.
For a business, that combination is the worst of both worlds: a higher bill for a reduced service, with the move still to be done.
Why a business should move to BT Cloud Voice now
Moving before the deadline means you choose the service, the date and the details:
- Keep your numbers. Numbers beginning 01 or 02 are ported to BT Cloud Voice on go-live day, after the phones are checked.
- Get better call handling. An auto attendant, hunt groups, voicemail to email and the BT Cloud Voice app, rather than a bare line.
- Test your devices while the old line is still in place, so an alarm or card machine is never left without a connection.
- Avoid the rush. Engineer time, hardware and porting slots will be in demand in the last weeks before the deadline.
For a small business with up to four numbers, BT Cloud Voice Express is a simple digital line with BT business broadband, managed through an app. For five or more users, hosted BT Cloud Voice gives each person a licence and a phone or app.
What to do now
- List your lines. Every number on your bills, including single lines in shops, site huts, lift rooms and plant rooms.
- Identify what each line does. Calls, alarms, lifts, card machines, fax or nothing at all.
- Check your internet connection. BT's network assessment test shows whether your connection can carry BT Cloud Voice. See internet connection requirements.
- Order before the deadline. Leave time for devices to be tested and numbers to be ported before 31 January 2027.
- Cancel old lines last, once numbers have moved and every device has a new connection.
Contact us and we will audit your lines and plan the move. See switching to BT Cloud Voice for each step.
Why buy BT Cloud Voice from Forever Communications Limited
Forever Communications Limited is part of Forever Group and a BT Business Partner. We supply, set up and support BT Cloud Voice for UK businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations, from a handful of users to multi-site teams.
- A named partner who plans your numbers, call flows, user feature packs and handsets with you
- Number porting managed for you, timed to avoid downtime
- Connectivity checked first, so call quality is right from day one, with BT business broadband and BTnet available if you need it
- Help with the digital switchover, including alarms, lifts, card terminals and other analogue lines
- Training and ongoing support for the apps, Microsoft Teams integration, moves, adds, changes and faults
BT Cloud Voice is a business service. We do not sell consumer or home phone products.
Want a BT Cloud Voice quote for your business?
Tell Forever Communications what you need and we will come back to you by email with options, not a hard sell.
Contact usFrequently asked questions
What is Emergency Voice Access?
It is Openreach's temporary, voice-only service for eligible single analogue lines that have not moved to a digital service by 31 January 2027. It keeps basic calls working for a limited time, with only a limited set of calling features.
When does Emergency Voice Access start?
Openreach says managed migrations begin on 1 February 2027, exchange by exchange, starting with SOLUS lines (voice-only, no broadband). It expects to move lines with broadband on them from mid-April 2027, keeping the broadband as a short-term standalone service.
Does Emergency Voice Access cover ISDN?
No. It does not cover ISDN or multiline services, so these must be migrated before the deadlines. See ISDN replacement.
Is Emergency Voice Access more expensive?
Openreach's wholesale rental for remaining WLR3 lines rises from 1 February 2027, whether a line is on the PSTN, being migrated or on Emergency Voice Access, and automatic fault compensation ends. Retail prices are set by each phone company, so ask yours.
Can I choose when my line moves to Emergency Voice Access?
No. Openreach manages the migrations exchange by exchange and phone companies cannot pick the date, though Openreach aims to give at least 14 days' notice. The way to stay in control is to move to a digital service before 31 January 2027.
Will my alarm or card machine work on Emergency Voice Access?
Do not assume so. It is designed to keep basic voice calls working. Move alarms, lift phones and card machines to a supported digital, broadband or mobile connection with their suppliers.