In just a few years, businesses throughout the UK will be forced to abandon traditional landlines and move towards digital phone networks. Openreach by BT has announced its plan to completely phase out the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by the end of 2025. This means that businesses and homeowners alike will no longer have access to PSTN after September 2023.
While BT made the announcement back in 2015, a recent survey by National Business Communications indicates that nearly half of all businesses surveyed (44.8%) are still unaware of the upcoming changes. However, this is an improvement from a previous survey conducted in 2021, where 59.7% of respondents were unaware of PSTN phasing out. Nevertheless, with just two years left, only a quarter of businesses have taken steps to ditch landlines.
To ensure a smooth transition, Chairman of National Business Communications, John Griffiths, urges businesses to start preparing now. Failure to do so could result in unprepared businesses causing a hold-up in 2025, potentially leaving other companies without service.
According to the survey, approximately 86.2% of businesses plan to rely on mobile phones for calls post-2025, while 62.5% plan to shift towards VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Interestingly, there has been a 44.3% increase in the number of people who are unsure of how they will make business calls in the future compared to the previous survey.
Nevertheless, the move away from landlines is not as daunting as it may seem. Griffiths highlights that alternatives like VoIP exist, making the transition a smooth one.
It’s worth noting that the Big Switch Off also affects non-voice services connected to the PSTN and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), such as CCTV, alarms, faxes, EPOS machines, and door entry systems. Failure to make the necessary changes could result in these systems being turned off as well.
In conclusion, businesses need to start preparing for the inevitable transition now to prevent any delays or mishaps in 2025. With a range of alternatives available, moving away from landlines can be a smooth process.
