What is PSTN Switch Off
The legacy PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), which once served its purpose, has fallen short of meeting the communication demands of today’s world. Consequently, a more robust alternative—fibre—is stepping in to take its place.
Traditional PSTN lines, encompassing analog and digital phone lines, business-oriented ISDN phone systems, and older internet connections like ADSL and FTTC broadband, will all lose their relevance as the PSTN undergoes complete retirement.
Openreach is diligently upgrading local telephone exchanges across the UK, transitioning to a full-fibre network that promises swift, dependable, and cost-efficient connectivity. The moment has arrived to upgrade your telecoms and connectivity systems, ensuring your business remains seamlessly connected and primed for the digital future that lies ahead!
Why is PSTN being switched off?
The traditional PSTN network, comprised of aging copper cables, is experiencing rapid deterioration. Its fragility is on the rise, and maintenance costs are becoming increasingly burdensome. Having been originally installed in the late 1800s, the PSTN is ill-equipped to cater to the demands of 21st-century communications. As the United Kingdom steers toward a digital future, the need for higher speeds and wider bandwidth is burgeoning.
In today’s landscape, the emphasis is on swift, accessible, and dependable mobile and internet communications. Our expectations for speed and reliability are at an all-time high, and the solution lies in digital technology. In recognition of this, the nation has chosen to phase out the outdated PSTN technology, in favor of the robust full-fibre connectivity necessary to satiate the demands of modern technology.
When is the PSTN switch off happening?
By 2025, BT Openreach is slated to deactivate the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This directive applies to everyone in the UK, including businesses, who are currently reliant on PSTN-based services. The imperative is to transition to a new service prior to this impending switch-off.
Replacing the erstwhile copper-based PSTN network, Openreach has undertaken an ambitious endeavor to install fibre-optic infrastructure. The progress thus far is promising, with a target to upgrade all connections nationwide by 2025. However, comprehending the vast scale of this endeavor, it’s apparent that such a transition doesn’t occur overnight. The shift to full fibre is already well underway, and in several exchange areas, purchasing copper-based PSTN services is no longer an option.
Embrace the opportunity to ensure your business is primed for the PSTN switch-off. Rest assured, this momentous change is filled with promise, as the advantages of a full-fibre, IP network are boundless!
How will this affect your business?
As per recent reports, approximately 2.4 million businesses throughout the UK still use the outdated telephone lines and ISDN networks, which are facilitated by the PSTN (public switched telephone network). With the imminent PSTN switch-off, it’s vital to ensure that your business doesn’t fall within this category, as legacy systems are poised to become inoperable.
For enterprises presently utilizing ISDN/PSTN telephony or broadband services, the moment has come to delve into the advantages of transitioning to fibre-based technology.
What are the alternatives
While the full PSTN switch-off in 2025 might appear distant, the impact will be felt much sooner in numerous UK locations due to the impending halt on new ISDN or PSTN-based services. By September 2023, the ability to acquire a traditional phone line will vanish across all exchange areas. Thus, the present is the opportune time to delve into the promising realm of cutting-edge and future-proof services tailored to your business.
For those presently utilizing PSTN services, the transition to an IP (VoIP) telephony solution and fibre-based broadband is imperative. The PSTN switch-off mandates this change, but making the move to upgraded services and systems now empowers you to harness the advantages of hosted telephony and fiber connectivity well in advance of your competitors. In addition, it safeguards your business against future developments.
Heading into the future, fibre will take the lead. This means that all future phone calls will be conducted over the internet, leveraging IP technology and innovative solutions like VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) voice technology. Furthermore, broadband options like SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access), FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), extensive fiber broadband, and reliable wireless leased lines will play pivotal roles in shaping this connectivity landscape.
