Are you ready for the BT Openreach 2025 PSTN/ISDN Switch Off?
In 2017 BT Openreach announced that they will be moving all their customers from the old analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) to a fully digital network by the end of 2025. This marks the biggest change in the telecoms industry for over 30 years, but what does this mean for you?
We explain all you need to know about the upcoming changes and how best to prepare your business for the approaching deadline.
What is the PSTN Switch Off and why is it happening?
The PSTN network has formed a large proportion of the UK’s telecoms infrastructure since the Victorian era. Using copper wires, it has provided businesses and households alike with a reliable means to communicate with anyone around the world for generations.
However, the infrastructure and equipment serving the PSTN network is now ageing. It is becoming more difficult to maintain and the digital shift and technological advancements all around us have overtaken traditional methods of communication. From mobile devices and collaboration apps to the cloud and Internet of Things (IoT), the 2025 PSTN Switch Off will help pave the way for a fully digital network, which can meet the demands of the new digital era.
Who will it affect?
These changes will affect everyone who has a landline. Businesses and homes alike. And it’s not just your phone services you need to think about; it’s everything else that currently uses the old phone network (all your non-voice services connected to PSTN or ISDN lines), such as security and fire alarms, payment terminals, door entry and traffic light systems, lifts, CCTV, faxes and health-monitoring equipment.
What does this mean for your business?
Although 2025 may seem like a long way away, it will approach faster than you may think and this shift to a digital network could potentially have a big impact on your business. Engaging in the process now will not only give you the best chance of migrating seamlessly to the new technologies, but it also offers an excellent opportunity to take stock of your telephony assets and rethink your entire infrastructure.
So, if your current ISDN/PSTN telephony or broadband contract is due for renewal within the next few years, now is the time to review and consolidate what you have and start exploring the benefits of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) services for voice calls, or SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access) and FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) for broadband products.
What are the advantages of moving to all-digital?
The impending switch to all-digital isn’t just because the traditional phone network is deteriorating, it’s because all-digital communications are so much better. Even at the most basic level, you’ll be able to make and take calls on any device, from wherever you are, from the same number. Digital networks, cloud-based systems and internet voice services will provide your business with the opportunity to upgrade the way you communicate with your customers and colleagues alike. The systems you put in place today can help your business save time and money in the long run.
How can we help?
Ready or not, the 2025 Switch Off is happening, but it’s a journey we can help you navigate. Our specialist communications and connectivity experts at Entropie will help you understand how these network changes will affect your existing products and services. Furthermore, we can help guide you through anything you need to do to minimise any impact on your business.
Call us today on 01908 324 270 or email our team at info@entropie.co.uk to find out more.
