In January 2027 BT Openreach are switching-off the old analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The PSTN has been the backbone of the UK’s telecoms network for decades, but the 20th century network is being turned off as the UK moves fully digital with VoIP core networks set to replace all the legacy PSTN services.
Who does this effect?
Everyone. It’s not just phone services running over PSTN or ISDN lines that need to be thought about – it’s everything that uses the old phone network, which includes broadband running over telephone lines, alarms, EPOS machines, door entry systems, CCTV and faxes.
Essentially the two main things that need to considered is “voice” – meaning a business’s telephone system and the telephone lines they run on or a residential users landline, and their internet connectivity.
The move to hosted voice is unavoidable – but it is also highly desirable for end users. In fact, the potential benefits – reduced costs, increased productivity, new ways of working, greater flexibility and scalability – are all available right now.
So, what should the approach be? And should changes be made now?
Every business needs to be aware of the PSTN switch-off and start planning for it now. While the PSTN network will be shut down in full in January 2027 some areas in the UK are already seeing notices served on exchanges and analogue services in some places can no longer be ordered.
Over the next 12 to 24 months people may find, depending on their location, that analogue services cannot be ordered. Whilst services may not need to be replaced immediately, as contracts come up to their expiry date it is seriously worth considering digital alternatives – not just for future-proofing, but to also take advantage of the many benefits.
What are the alternatives?
Cloud unified communications is an ideal replacement for old-style on-premise PBX telephone systems. With business continuity built in, all of the full features of a PBX telephone system combined with the agility and flexibility of modern VoIP cloud telephony means there has never been a better time to replace old telephone systems.
Cost has always been an issue when moving to the cloud compared to an onsite PBX. Whilst cloud telephony has always been able to compete with a fully utilised traditional PBX seat, the issue has been with those seats that don’t have much use. It’s easy to justify for a monthly licence cost for a Receptionist or someone in Sales, but no so easy for an extension in a Classroom that is only used for emergency calls or a Hotel room that is used to call for Room Service. A modern Unified Communications platform such as Cross Connect resolves this problem by allowing multiple ‘scopes’ on the same platform, including very low-cost Essential subscriptions for those extensions that are only required for internal communications or emergency services.
A cloud UC solutions also lowers existing costs by stopping telephone system maintenance contracts, cancelling current PSTN, ISDN2e or ISDN30 lines, and benefiting from free calls to UK landlines and mobiles and low international call charges.
As well as businesses, the other big area that is effected by the PSTN switch-off is residential users. Every home landline will stop working when the UK moves to all IP. The ideal solution is to have a UC system that can manage all customers, from businesses to Contact Centres, through to residential customers all on the same platform and all managed from a single pane of glass. Unfortunately it is rare to find a solution that allows mixing and matching, with Cross Connect being one of the few solutions allowing enterprise-grade reliability for home users via Phone Connect running alongside the flexible and scalable business versions as well as incredibly powerful Contact Centre functionality, all managed from the same portal.
To be effective cloud telephony requires fast and reliable internet connectivity with sufficient spare bandwidth as well as a secure and reliable network, which brings us to the other main area to consider with the PSTN switch-off:
Internet Connectivity
Current ADSL and FTTC broadband both run on the PSTN meaning that until now you needed to have a traditional phone line installed to deliver broadband to a home or office unless a full-fibre line was installed.
A new product called SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access) has become to be available, using the same fibre/copper network but without the telephone line element. This means cheaper monthly costs when the line is used for broadband only, and increased reliability with less chance of interference.
Turning off telephone lines and moving to VoIP means businesses and home users will be running voice over the internet. Sufficient bandwidth and a reliable connection is critical to ensuring excellent call quality. Consider upgrading end users to a dedicated broadband connection for voice, or for businesses with higher data usage or requiring extremely reliable data connections then upgrade to a full-fibre ethernet leased line to have dedicated and guaranteed bandwidth of up to either 100Mbs, 1Gbs or 10Gbs with robust 24×7 SLA’s with up to 99.9% guaranteed availability. TSI provide a full range of data connectivity solutions, including data SIM’s that are ideal for a backup offering.
Ensure buildings have structured cabling that is installed by experts to prevent network problems and that the router/firewall is business-class and that QoS (Quality of Service) is configured to prioritise voice traffic. TSI offer Structured Cabling as a Service (SCaaS) to or Channel Partners, from small scale moves & changes or tidying of Communication Cabinets, through to full installations of refitted or new build offices, shops and Distribution Centres.
Interested in how we can help?
Still not sure of the best way forward? Don’t worry, we’re here to help explain the different options and to help you choose the services that are right for your business.
Simply click the button below to leave us a message and one of our team will be in touch shortly to introduce TSI and begin to explore the options open to you. Alternatively you can call us direct on 0333 015 3333.