Services and devices using analogue PSTN/ISDN connectivity will be impacted including telephones, EPoS devices, alarms, security and access systems, fax machines and CCTV.

BT originally announced in 2015 that they will switch off their ISDN and PSTN services in 2025. These lines are being switched off by Openreach from April 2025 and all services will be switched off by the end of 2025. Importantly, before this milestone, Openreach is stopping the sale of these services.

The ‘stop sell’ process is a preparatory stage before the Switch Off where Openreach stops taking new orders for these services as in a few years they are turning them off. The ‘stop sell’ is happening now from exchanges on a geographic basis. Check here to see when the ‘stop sell’ will happen to the exchange serving your area. Although it won’t affect your existing services like the Switch Off itself, this earlier milestone is significant as it means that you can’t add to or amend your existing services in their current analogue form.

Yes – your connectivity provider uses BT and Openreach is managing and replacing the infrastructure. BT’s announcement said: “We’re moving all our customers from the old analogue ISDN telephone service to a fully digital network.” And by all our customers’ – as the infrastructure provider, they mean you and the end customers, regardless of your telecoms.

Yes - this phoneline still counts as a PSTN line, so will need to be changed to a digital service. Your broadband will also need to be upgraded to one of the latest products, as those with associated PSTN lines will be decommissioned.

In short, the existing legacy infrastructure is not capable of delivering the volume, speed or quality of data businesses and consumers need. Openreach is upgrading our aging national analogue infrastructure with a modern, fast, manageable, flexible digital replacement. Equivalent replacement services are likely be cheaper too.

PSTN is the traditional telephone line network which carries analogue voice data over copper lines. Whilst vital over decades, in 2021, PSTN/ISDN are old fashioned legacy technologies with associated maintenance costs and drawbacks. This technology, although improved over the years, is basically the same design as the telephone networks earlier in the last century.

Speak to your communications provider or Digital Space. They will be able to advise on your lines and help you identify the devices and services running on them. Generally, the older your phones, EPOS, alarm systems, CCTV and other connected devices, the more likely they are to be using analogue services.

You can but if you’re reading this, they’ve probably not been keeping you updated on this major milestone and helping you plan for it through a migration strategy. Replacing the lines is only the first step and in many cases upgrading the services and devices which use the connectivity is just as important.

As the replacement options involve a range of IT and connectivity services, it is important to work with a supplier experienced in digital connectivity, cloud and security such as Digital Space. Replacements will consist of an upgrade to an internet based or VoIP phone system; this can be to SIP trunks (technology that lets you make calls over a data connection) connected to an IP compatible phone system or moving to a fully-hosted cloud system.  

These replacements will involve a migration of the connectivity but also a project to re-establish and upgrade the services running over them. So, experience in IT, telecoms as well as transformation projects is essential. 

Now – waiting will get more expensive and you may find your organisation struggles to find a solution partner as we get nearer the Switch Off. Also, organisations relying heavily on analogue services may need time to identify appropriate replacement strategies, plan the transition then migrate over to new services.

By upgrading from your ISDN / PSTN infrastructure, you are enabling a transformation for your organisation’s employees, customers and data. You will benefit through:

• Improved customer service experience – a faster more responsive service with the ability to measure and improve customer engagement
• Integration of unified communications and collaboration services – enhancing hybrid and home working
• Improved security and compliance
• Quicker adoption of cloud, online and digital services
• Build a platform for a broader digital transformation across your organisation

‘Yes, we can.' The ‘Switch Off’ is a good opportunity to review your current connectivity to ensure it’s serving your business needs; that it’s secure as well as being ‘future-ready’.

If you are an existing customer with Digital Space, your Account or Service Team are ready to engage and explain the replacement services available to you and how we can help you plan for the PSTN Switch Off and beyond.