PSTN UNPLUGGED:
SWITCH OVER BEFORE
THE SWITCH OFF.

THE PSTN SWITCH-OFF MARKS A PIVOTAL SHIFT IN COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE AS SYSTEMS TRANSITION FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL.

This affects much more than just phone lines – vital services such as emergency call systems, mobile safety devices, lift lines and door entry systems will be disrupted and disconnected unless providers find an alternative. Needless to say, this presents issues for customers, staff and organisations alike.

With this in mind, a transition to digital services is essential – be prepared for the PSTN switch-off; update your systems today.

Contact us today to find the right digital solutions for your organisation, or read on for more information.

WHAT IS PSTN?

The PSTN, or Public Switched Telephone Network, is the traditional analogue voice telephone system. It's been the backbone of the UK's communication infrastructure for many decades, enabling voice calls over copper telephone lines.

Some of the copper wiring supporting PSTN dates back as far as the Victorian era, highlighting how old the technology behind PSTN has become.

WHEN IS THE PSTN SWITCH-OFF?

Openreach, which manages much of the UK's telephone infrastructure, announced plans to retire PSTN and its associated Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) by January 2027.

After this point, all services associated with PSTN will need to run over alternative digital infrastructures.

WHY IS PSTN BEING SWITCHED OFF?

The technology behind PSTN is outdated, becoming increasingly costly and inefficient to maintain. Digital technologies, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and fibre broadband, offer more flexibility, better voice quality, and other services that traditional lines cannot support.

A fully-digital infrastructure holds a range of advantages over PSTN, making it easier for telecoms providers to offer a broader range of services and ensuring that the network is future-proofed.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT MY ORGANISATION?

It is essential that housing providers assess their current systems and move to digital platforms. Vital devices such as telephones, alarms, CCTV cameras, lift lines and more are reliant on PSTN and will be disconnected following the switch-off. 

Many providers still rely on ISDN for their voice services, which will need to be replaced or upgraded to IP-based solutions. Residents will need to switch to newer, digital-first services. Most consumers will transition to VoIP services or similar alternatives.

NOT SURE WHERE TO START? SOCIAL TELECOMS ARE HERE TO HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR ORGANISATION.

BENEFITS OF THE SWITCH.

The switch from PSTN to digital platforms is far from an arbitrary decision - it represents a major technological leap for telecommunications infrastructure and provides a host of significant benefits to customers, staff and organisations. These benefits include:

IMPROVED CONNECTIVITY.

Digital broadband solutions provide faster speeds and improved bandwidth over PSTN-reliant legacy broadband. This enables organisations to support more devices and online services, maximising your network and offering new opportunities.

BETTER VOICE QUALITY.

Digital voice services often provide clearer and more reliable voice quality when compared to existing PSTN options.

COST EFFICIENCY.

Digital services are cost-effective, offering long-term savings - especially for businesses that make a lot of international calls.

ENHANCED SCALABILITY.

With decreased reliance on physical lines and hardware, digital solutions offer a quick and easy way to scale and adapt to suit your organisational needs.

FLEXIBILITY AND FEATURES.

Digital services offer a range of helpful features that are not possible with PSTN, such as voicemail-to-email, video calling and more.

IMPROVED RELIABILITY.

PSTN connections are dependent on physical phone lines that can be disrupted by factors such as bad weather, corrosion or construction work.

Digital solutions allow organisations to send and receive voice communication via an internet connection rather than physical phone lines, providing greater reliability.

INTEGRATING NEW SOLUTIONS.

The PSTN switch-off represents the next step for telecommunications infrastructure. As such, a move to digital communication and connectivity provides integration opportunities for new technologies - whether emerging or yet-to-come.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

Organisations and residential customers alike must be aware of the PSTN switch-off and make all necessary preparations. This could require upgrades in infrastructure to support new digital services - especially in remote or rural areas.

The transition from analogue to digital services requires meticulous planning, foresight and a proactive approach. Below are the essential steps that housing providers and local authorities should embark upon. This will not only ensure a smooth transition, but that you reap the benefits that the digital transition has to offer:

01

Analogue Assessment

Many businesses rely on PSTN and ISDN for a range of functions, from traditional calls and to alarms, lift lines, door entry systems and more. It’s essential to thoroughly assess the PSTN and ISDN lines in your organisation – pinpointing the specific devices plugged into PSTN lines which will be affected by the upcoming switch. This assessment is crucial to ensure that none of your devices become disconnected following the PSTN switch-off. Social Telecoms are available to assist, working as your partner for the upcoming digital transition. We will evaluate your existing services, audit every detail of your current bills, classify line types, services levels, broadband statuses and more. Our complete service will provide you with a total knowledge of your telecommunications assets. Our service includes ‘boots on the ground’ site surveys, investigating each line and its specific function. This prevents you from ordering any additional lines when existing ones can be utilised.
02

Evaluation

With the audit complete, we can evaluate how deeply integrated PSTN is within your organisation. This allows us to flag which services require transitioning to new digital solutions, lines that require updated hardware to function, lines that are not being utilised and lines that can be disconnected. The shift to digital services isn’t just about mitigating risks – it’s an opportunity. By transitioning from PSTN, your organisation can transform its infrastructure and integrate new technologies.
03

Building Your Plan

2027 may seem far off – but when considering the size of the task at hand and budget planning required – it’s much closer than you might think. Working with you, we’ll apply our industry knowledge to consider the optimal solutions for each service you require. Whether it’s a complete change or an extension of your current connectivity, we’re here to help you make the best decision to suit your organisational needs.
04

Migration Strategy

With a clear understanding of your requirements, we’ll put together a blueprint for the migration process. It is important to consider the Openreach timeline, potential impacts on your operations and necessary communications between employees and suppliers. Being conscious of Openreach’s timeline is crucial – they’ve already begun phasing out new PSTN services in certain regions, and this process will only accelerate as the project progresses.

TODAY'S ANSWERS
TO TOMORROW'S PROBLEMS.

We offer the latest digital solutions, customising packages to meet your unique organisational needs. Not only this, but we constantly monitor and evaluate new options as they become available – and we pass this knowledge on to you, keeping you at the forefront of the digital revolution.

Our tools enable you to provide the best possible experience for your customers – now and in the days to come. Contact us for quote today.

CONTACT US FOR MORE.

Are you ready for the PSTN switch-off? Contact Social Telecoms - we'll be happy to help you prepare, discuss the move to digital and the best options to suit your organisational needs. Ensure your crucial services and devices don't become disconnected - schedule a discussion with one of our team today.

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