If you’ve been hearing about the The Big Switch Off and thinking 1) ‘How will it affect me?’, 2) ‘I need to start making preparations’ or even 3) ‘I haven’t the foggiest idea about it’, then you’re not alone. Thousands of businesses across the UK are in the same boat.
So as the clock ticks down, we want to make sure you have all of the information you need to tackle this technological shift head on.
In a nutshell, BT Openreach will be decommissioning Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) lines, meaning the old copper line phone network will be turned off and the country will be switching to fibre.
The change is taking place because the infrastructure is outdated and costly to maintain, whereas the switch off will pave the way for a fully digital network which will meet growing modern demands. This will impact thousands of businesses across the UK and affect any service that relies on PSTN network, including:
Well, it’s already started. In their first phase of the switch off, BT Openreach have stopped offering any new PSTN-based services. This means that, although you’re still able to use pre-existing PSTN services until the switch off is complete, you’re unable to purchase any new services or modify any existing services that rely on either ISDN or PSTN. The final switch off of the traditional analogue telephone network is planned to take place by January 2027.
To ensure you don’t miss anything, here are the key dates leading up to 2027’s Big Switch Off:
The switch off will have an impact on everyone who uses landline connections to communicate. Although some users have already moved to digital services, both consumers and business owners need to be mindful of the approaching shutdown.
In some countries, the termination of ISDN and PSTN lines has already happened, with the UK and other European locations not far behind.
Not only will your phone system no longer be operational, but any non-voice services connected to PSTN or ISDN lines, such as alarms, EPOS machines, door entry systems, and CCTV, will also become obsolete. Lift alarms and other emergency contact points, often reliant on PSTN, will also need upgrading.
Despite the significant impact of the switch off, awareness remains low. According to the ‘Switch On to the Switch Off’ survey from March 2021, 46% of businesses were unaware that their analogue telephony services would soon be defunct. Even now, many remain unprepared.
While the deadline for phasing out analogue landlines has been extended, the advantages of transitioning to digital services are clear. Outdated technology struggles to meet modern demands, and BT is urging businesses to take proactive steps to shift to fully digital networks.
With lots of information out there, it can feel a little overwhelming when it comes to approaching next steps. That’s why we’ve created a handy checklist to support you through the process:
This a great first step to understand exactly what devices will be affected, giving you a clear picture of the full scale of things. Moneypenny clients are welcome to a FREE, no-obligation digital transformation audit through our partner, Lily Comms, who will help you assess any current infrastructure you have that relies on PSTN tech and provide helpful advice – simply submit your details here to get started.
You’ll need to start looking into other options and the latest technology replacements. If you choose to take advantage of Lily Comms’ free audit, they’ll provide you with the tech you need to move to based on what’s available in your area, so you know where to start.
Begin making enquiries with providers as soon as you can. The businesses that aren’t even in the queue for new solutions will only be further behind, and may face a last-minute rush for resources and services. Your audit will give you a helping hand, detailing supplier options along with their benefits.
Look into your current equipment and make sure that any new systems you install will work with your existing hardware. Lily Comms will gather information from you as part of the fact-finding process and let you know which equipment will be impacted.
Time to put pen to paper! Work with your chosen supplier to put a migration plan together. If you’re a Moneypenny client, don’t forget to include resetting your divert in your plan to ensure the switch-over is seamless!
If you’d like to know more, have any questions or need a helping hand with resetting your Moneypenny divert number, our Client Support team is only a call away on 0345 123 3700.
If you have more questions about The Big Switch Off in general, do check out our comprehensive blog ‘ISDN Switch Off: The top questions answered’ for even more insights and guidance.
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