The telephone network will be switched off in 2025. This affects your business because the PSTN is how most traditional phones make and receive calls. The switch-off will gradually happen over the next few years, with providers turning off different areas at different times.
Here’s what you’ll need to prepare for the switch-off.
What is the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)?
The PSTN is a phone line network that contains copper wires connecting homes and businesses to the telephone exchange. These lines have been in use for over 100 years and are how most traditional phone calls are made.
Why is it being switched off?
Businesses are switching to mobile and internet communications because they demand much more than what the traditional technologies were designed to deliver. Therefore, the PSTN is being replaced by newer technologies like Voice over IP (VoIP). VoIP uses an internet connection instead of copper wires, which makes it more flexible and has more features than the PSTN. Some of these features include:
- Cheaper
- Better sound quality
- Advanced features
- No need for a physical phone
You can read more about this in a previous blog – What does VoIP stand for?
What does this mean for my business?
If you are using a traditional phone line in Sussex or anywhere in the UK, it will stop working when your area’s PSTN is switched off.
You’ll need to switch to an alternative option by then to avoid any disruption to your business. VoIP services are available from many providers, so we recommend that you do your research to find one that meets the needs of your business.
You can discover more about what this means for your business within this podcast (click here) where the Product Manager for Voice Networks, Claire Makin, discusses the BT Openreach PSTN and ISDN 2025 Switch Off – what it means for your business and what you can do to prepare for it.
When is my area being switched off?
The switch-off will happen over a period of time, Brighton, Sussex and all areas of the UK will gradually get switched off at different times – resulting in all traditional landlines being switched off by December 2025.
How to prepare your business
Businesses such as yours need to be aware of the impending changes and how this is going to affect your business. We strongly advise you to be one step ahead and research VoIP phone systems so your business can start to implement these changes before the switch takes place.
Here are some actions you can take right away to prepare your company for the future:
- Don’t purchase out-of-date equipment like desk phones and phone lines now – this will be a waste of money as you will need to replace them again in 2025.
- Enquire with your phone provider and discover when your contract is due to be renewed. This will give you an idea of when your business will need to make the switch.
- Avoid the temptation to simply renew your current contract and think you’ll deal with this closer to the time – making the switch today will ultimately save you time and money.
- Test your internet connection to see if it is dependable and if not, now is an excellent time to consider upgrading – click here to test – a good internet speed is at or above 25 Mbps.
- You’ll also need to update any equipment that uses your traditional phone line, like fax machines or alarm systems.
The PSTN switch-off in 2025 affects your business because the PSTN is how most traditional phones make and receive calls.
Traditional landlines will stop operating in certain areas gradually over the next few years, and the providers will move in different directions as they do.
As your phone line switches to VoIP, you’ll need to switch to the new VoIP service, which will require a router and some updating of your other equipment.
As a busy growing business, this can be incredibly overwhelming to think about, 2025 is still a few years away but we are getting closer, and it will be here before you know it. With this in mind, making the transition sooner rather than later will save you a headache in the long run.
If you would like some more guidance or assistance about what next steps your business should take, speak to our communication experts now on 01273 806211 or email [email protected]
