Switching Off - Delayed 2027

Understanding the BT Openreach PSTN Switch-Off and Its Impact on Businesses

In 2017, BT Openreach announced the switch-off of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This decision marks the end of the UK's long-standing analogue network, including the outdated Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) from the 1990s. But what does this mean for your business?

The Importance of PSTN and ISDN in Business Operations

PSTN and ISDN networks have been key to various business services, powering:

- Landline phone systems

- Internal business phone systems

- Fax services

- Alarm systems

- Gate entry systems

- Lift lines

- CCTV systems

- Certain internet connections

These systems are critical to many businesses, and their impending retirement poses significant challenges.

Extended Deadline: A New Timeline for Transition

Originally slated for 2025, the deadline for migrating off the PSTN has been extended to January 2027. This extension provides more time to tackle industry challenges and ensures the protection of vulnerable customers, such as telecare users.

Howard Watson, BT Group's Chief Security and Networks Officer, highlighted the urgency: "The need to switch customers to digital services is growing daily because the 40-year-old analogue landline technology is increasingly fragile. We aim to manage customer migrations from analogue to digital smoothly and swiftly, especially considering those with additional needs, including telecare users. Collaboration with local authorities, telecare providers, and key government organizations is crucial."

What Is the PSTN Switch-Off?

The term 'switch-off' might be misleading. The physical copper wires and fibre-optic cables will remain, but they will carry digital signals instead of analogue ones. The analogue network will no longer be maintained, meaning any breakdowns will not be repaired. Switching over sooner rather than later is key to minimising the risk to your business of any outages,

ISDN was revolutionary when introduced in the 1980s, allowing voice and data to travel over the same line. However, with the rise of modern, internet-based communications, the ISDN network has reached its limits. Openreach’s decision to phase out ISDN and PSTN is driven by the readiness of a more advanced replacement: VoIP.

The Role of VoIP in the Transition

VoIP technology, which once had a shaky reputation for reliability, has vastly improved over the past decade. Modern VoIP offers efficient, reliable, and cost-effective internet-based calling, surpassing the capabilities of analogue phone lines and providing additional functionalities. This progress has enabled Openreach to move away from the ageing analogue network, which has become increasingly costly to maintain and repair.

How Will This Affect Your Business?

1. Landline with Broadband Packages: Your broadband provider should have contacted you to replace your router if needed. Your landline phone will now connect to a broadband router instead of a wall-mounted socket, but your user experience will remain largely unchanged.

2. Landline for Calls Only: If you have separate providers for landline and broadband, now is the time to consolidate these services.

3. Landline for Services: If your landline supports alarms, gate entry systems, CCTV, emergency lines in lifts, or telecare systems, you will need to transition these services to a digital platform.

4. In-House Phone System: Many in-house systems are connected via ISDN boxes. Transitioning to cloud-based VoIP systems will retire those outdated, energy-consuming systems.

Take Action Now

Preparing for the PSTN switch-off is crucial to ensure your business operations continue smoothly. Transitioning to digital solutions not only future-proofs your business but also offers enhanced functionality and reliability.

To learn more about how the PSTN switch-off will affect your business and to explore tailored solutions, contact us today. Our experts are ready to assist you in making a seamless transition to modern, digital communication systems.