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All analogue telecoms services will be impacted by the nationwide transition away from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), by January 2027 in the UK.
The network Switch Off means that all business will have to transition to fully digital systems, working over an Internet Protocol (IP) network, to ensure that they are business ready and not impacted by the Switch Off.
However, such are the numerous business benefits of transitioning to fully digital systems, the target date for all UK businesses to make the switch from analogue to digital, is December 2025.
The benefits of Digital systems include: better features and functionality, supporting flexible / remote working, helping to promote a more agile and responsive business, improving business resilience and achieving infrastructure savings.
Navigating the PSTN and ISDN network cut off by January 2027, presents both challenges and opportunities for business migrating their telephony service to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.
As this event draws closer, businesses are left contemplating the transformative impact on their infrastructure and seeking strategies to mitigate potential disruptions to their operations.
To support businesses in this transition, we have crafted a comprehensive impact guide, explaining the hardware that will be affected and outlining seamless upgrade pathways that will not burden your organisation with unnecessary costs.
Embracing the shift from analogue systems to fully digital services based on Internet Protocol (IP) may seem intricate at first glance. However, migrating your telephony, alarms, EPOS and more, to hardware operating on a fibre based network like VoIP and SIP trunks, can be executed with simplicity and ease.
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) are currently intertwined networks, responsible for transmitting voice, video and other data through the UK’s phone lines.
Considering the elevated maintenance expenses and the rapid digital expansion in the UK, BT Openreach has proclaimed its intention to terminate these networks by January 2027. This decisive move involves transitioning all communication infrastructure to a more agile and efficient fibre based system, utilising internet data transfer.
This new system harnesses the power of the internet to exchange data and the BT Openreach transition process has been underway since 2020. For all UK businesses, this change signifies that any hardware reliant on the old technology, or incompatible with the new UK framework, will cease to function post the network switch off.
Outlined below is a list of the central components within your communication infrastructure that the network switch off will impact:
1. Business Phone Lines: ISDN lines, designed to overcome PSTN limitations, are often utilised by businesses for their telephone services. With the ISDN switch off, phone hardware operating on ISDN will become non-operational.
2. Security Alarms: Older signalling systems utilising direct phone line connections via PSTN or ISDN, will cease functioning post transition.
3. CCTV: Closed circuit television surveillance systems that transmit alerts over PSTN when detecting suspicious activity, will no longer be functional after the PSTN is decommissioned.
4. EPOS Machines: Small businesses often connect their Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems to their phone lines, including card machines for financial transactions. PSTN and ISDN discontinuation will sever this connection.
5. Fax Machines: Facsimile machines sending data via an analogue interface to PSTN will lose their ability to transmit information.
6. Premises Entry / Exit Systems: Security access door panels tied to PSTN through telephone lines will become inactive.
The extensive impact on crucial business systems underlines the necessity of a comprehensive approach. Reaching out to Connecting 4 Business, to discuss the relevance of the switchover for your current and future business needs, will ensure that all these facets are appropriately addressed.
As a mandatory transformation for all UK businesses before January 2027, the consequences of not adopting IP technologies could prove substantially costly, time intensive and negatively impact business. Nevertheless, the process of upgrading infrastructure can be streamlined and efficient, offering multiple benefits for your business going forward.
Migration to fibre based infrastructure and IP technology brings superior speeds and quality, fostering business expansion and heightened productivity. Digital services like VoIP translate to minimal or no phone call costs and enhanced flexibility. Even if your business is bound to an early ISDN contract termination fee, the switch could yield savings of 50-70% on call expenses, eliminate monthly line rentals and reduce ongoing maintenance costs.
With the 2027 deadline rapidly approaching, it is recommended to prepare for life after ISDN and PSTN in advance, gaining an edge over competitors and accessing enhanced connectivity, at a reduced expense.
At Connecting 4 Business, our team of experts is primed to expedite this process for you, ensuring a swift, smooth, and stress free transition from analogue, onto a fully IP based, digital system. We manage every facet of your IP upgrade, from installation to device monitoring and ongoing support, allowing you to refocus on critical endeavours such as business growth, customer satisfaction and staff wellbeing.
For more information about the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) Switch Off in the UK please visit: www.gov.uk/government/collections/public-switch-telephone-network-pstn
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