The familiar copper wire telephone network has kept business communications going for decades, but BT have announced that they will be switching off the PSTN and ISDN in 2025, the biggest change in the telecoms industry for over 30 years. Keep reading to find out what PSTN and ISDN means, why the switch off is happening, and what happens next for you and your business.
What is PSTN?
The Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) allows calls to be made over copper telephone lines and fibre lines using traditional telephony. Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is the telephony network that transmits data via these PSTN lines.
PSTN has been the backbone of the UK’s phone network for decades, but technology has evolved, with smartphones, apps, the cloud, and the Internet of Things all requiring faster and more efficient connectivity.
As broadband services have increased in reliability and quality over the last 10 years, the PSTN service has evolved to support these digitally, resulting in services no longer needing traditional fixed line telephony.
What’s happening with the PSTN switch off?
In 2025, BT will be switching off the PSTN network. All customers, including businesses and home premises, will upgrade from the old network to a fully digital network. This will include everything that uses the old phone network, such as phones, alarms, EPOS machines, door entry systems, CCTV systems and fax machines. You will no longer be able to make landline phone calls without an internet connection. All premises will switch over to digital phone services before then.
Reasons for the PSTN switch off
- Current network is old and difficult to maintain
- Increased demands of modern communications for an improved communication infrastructure
- Improving the UK’s telecoms offerings to aid business growth
- Improved costs and efficiency
What’s the alternative to PSTN?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a solution that transmits voice calls and data utilising an internet connection. This solution will be required in order to maintain your voice services. Depending on your organisation and the current services that are using the PSTN/ISDN infrastructure, alternative solutions will be available.
Timewade will be offering detailed plans for customers to move to the alternative IT solutions in plenty of time before the switch off.
Get in touch with our team to find out how we can support your business through the PSTN switch off.
