What Is Happening?
The PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) is getting switched off in 2025. Any business or home phone operating on the old analogue network’s landline will then be switched off. This affects both traditional landlines and anything else relying on copper lines such as ADSL and FTTC broadband, alarms, EPOS, card machines, and door entry systems.
How BPS Can Help
We have a wide range of digital phone solutions, making us the perfect partner to handle your digital switchover.
Broadband
We offer the best and most budget-friendly fibre broadband packages, promising you greater bandwidth and faster internet speeds.
Phone Systems
Cloud-based and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone systems boost productivity, improve efficiency and have advanced features such as call routing and automatic call distribution.
Digital Voice Services
Online virtual phone lines – known as SIP Trunks – are customisable, allowing you to change your location at will. You can choose country-specific numbers too, facilitating international expansion.
Business Mobile
We have a range of tailored business mobile packages across several networks, tariffs, and devices. Ideal for companies with mobile workforces.
Did you know?
Only one third of smaller businesses and less than 10% of larger enterprises are aware of the PSTN switch off.
What Is Being Switched Off and When?
The switch off will comprise two parallel projects: the withdrawal of analogue services relying on copper line infrastructure (PSTN and ISDN) and the Full Fibre Priority Exchange Programme. Both are said to end in 2025, with the Fibre Programme designed to extend fibre broadband reach to 85%, although the roll-out is already well underway.
Benefits of the PSTN Switch Off
Full fibre broadband is up to 25 times the speed and 5 times more reliable than traditional copper line-based broadband.
Cloud-based phone systems and digital voice services are more scalable, customisable, and cost-effective in the long-term.
Integration with CRMs and Microsoft Teams improve communication and collaboration.
Why Work with BPS for the PSTN Switch Off?
Going Digital Is Easy
We’ll handle your changeover and make sure the transition is seamless, minimising disruption to your daily operations. Save yourself the headache and let us handle things.
Technical Expertise
Our UK-based team offer 24/7 support to all our customers, so you can be sure you’re in safe hands.
PSTN switch off
The PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) has been the basis of the UK’s telecoms since 1876. Now, 150-years later, it is obsolete. Technology has progressed markedly since then, especially so in the last few decades. As such, BT Openreach have decided to switch off the PSTN so industry can focus on more innovative and efficient technologies.
FAQs
In use for well over a century, the Public Switched Telephone Network is the UK’s traditional telephone system.
The PSTN has been the basis of the UK’s telecoms since 1876. Now, 150-years later, it is obsolete. Technology has progressed markedly since then, especially so in the last few decades. Innovations such as smart phones, the cloud, and the IoT mean that the PSTN is no longer fit for purpose. As such, BT Openreach have decided to switch off the PSTN so industry can focus on more innovative and efficient technologies.
As of March 2023, approximately 2 million UK businesses still operate on legacy phone lines. If you fall into this bracket, now would be a good time to make the switch. By upgrading to full fibre now, you’ll position yourself ahead of the competition and avoid hassle down the line.
The switch off is happening in 2025, but there’s no reason to wait until then to start the switch over.
Yes. Going digital doesn’t mean you’ll lose your business’s phone number. After the changeover, you’ll be able to make calls from anywhere and on any device from the same phone number. If, however, you’d rather change your number to something more in line with your brand, that’s fine too.
We most certainly can. We’ll set you up with digital voice services, fibre broadband, and cloud-based phone systems. Plus, we’ll do it quickly. Get in touch today.
