You may be aware that the UK’s analogue telecoms network (ISDN and PSTN) is being completely switched off. By the end of 2027, all copper phone lines will be switched off by Openreach. As part of this change, analogue lines stopped being sold completely in September 2023 in the run-up to being switched off altogether.
Your business needs to be ready in plenty of time to minimize the impact. The best way to get prepared is to understand the need for change and embrace the transformation.
What is an analogue phone line?
You might know them as legacy, copper, or traditional phone lines. These are typically used for voice calls and providing broadband.
How will the switch-off impact your business?
Your telephone lines, broadband, card payment machines, alarm lines, and even security alarms could be impacted by the switch-off. You might think you have years to migrate, but you shouldn’t bury your head in the sand.
All voice calls will need to migrate to a cloud-based solution using VoIP (Voice over the Internet). This could be SIP trunks or a hosted solution. Traditional broadband is also changing as you no longer need to pay rental for an analogue voice line. This will be replaced with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), which offers a quicker, more reliable broadband service compared with traditional broadband. Most telephone exchanges will be upgraded to FTTP, but where this isn’t available, businesses will need to move to a new type of line for broadband, called Single order Generic Ethernet Access (SoGEA), which replaces the current service Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC).
What does stop sell actually mean for your business?
Put simply, you won’t be able to make any changes to your analogue phone and broadband lines. This includes adding new lines even where you have existing services. You’ll need to consider migrating and upgrading your technology and telephony equipment to ensure your business services survive the great switch-off.
What should you do to prepare?
Every organisation with copper telephone lines will need to migrate within the next few years. You must audit your existing telephone system and review your analogue estate so you properly understand the implications of the analogue phone line switch-off for your business.
View the switch-off as a great opportunity to bring your communications suite up-to-date and revolutionize the way you work. S&S Communications can offer a Cloud VoIP solution to move your business onto new future-proof technology. Get in touch to save costs and improve your customer experience with VoIP technology. At S&S Communications, we can help your business transition to digital with minimal disruption.
