The PSTN switch-off has been talked about for years, but the deadline is getting close.
On 31 January 2027, BT plans to retire the UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Businesses still using traditional analogue phone services will need to move to a digital alternative before then.
In addition to office phones, there might be some other equipment that’s also still connected to an analogue line without you even realising it.
With less than six months to go, now is a good time to find out what your business is still using and what needs to change.
What is the PSTN switch-off?
The PSTN is the traditional telephone network that has provided UK landline services for decades.
This technology is ageing, and it’s being replaced by digital phone services. From 31 January 2027, traditional PSTN phone services will no longer operate, with calls instead made using digital technology over an internet connection.
You may also hear this referred to as VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol.
The switch-off will also affect ADSL broadband, which relies on the traditional phone network. Businesses still using an ADSL connection will need to move to an alternative broadband service before the deadline.
To avoid any confusion, the switch-off does not mean every copper cable in the UK will disappear in January. Some broadband connections will continue to use copper for a period of time.
What is being retired is the traditional analogue phone service that runs over the PSTN, along with services such as ADSL that depend on the old network.
Who will be affected?
Businesses still using traditional copper phone lines or ADSL broadband need to check if they will be affected.
If you have already moved fully to a cloud-based phone system and a newer broadband service, you might not need to do a lot. Analogue lines have, however, historically been used for more than office phones. They could also be connected to equipment such as:
- Fax machines
- Alarm systems
- Lift emergency phones
- Door entry systems
- CCTV equipment
- Payment terminals
- Modems
- Intercoms
Some of these lines were probably installed years ago for one specific purpose and have been forgotten about since, which is why only checking your main phone system may not give you the full picture.
What should businesses do now?
Start by auditing any legacy phone lines, broadband connections and equipment across your business.
Look at the analogue lines you are currently paying for and find out exactly what each one is used for. Check whether your broadband is still provided over ADSL too. If you operate from more than one location, you should check every site.
For each line, work out:
- What is connected to it?
- Is it still being used?
- Does any other equipment or service depend on it?
- Will that equipment work with a digital connection?
- Does it need to be upgraded or replaced?
Once you know what is still using an analogue line, you can identify the dependencies and choose the right digital replacement for each service.
Doing this now gives you time to plan the change properly.
What are the benefits of moving to digital?
Although the PSTN switch-off is forcing businesses to review their phone services, digital systems can offer much more flexibility than traditional fixed lines.
Cloud-based phone systems can allow employees to make and receive business calls from different locations and devices, which can be particularly useful for hybrid and remote teams.
They can also be easier to adapt as your business grows or goes through changes.
Depending on the system you choose, features can include:
- Call routing
- Voicemail to email
- Call recording
- Reporting and analytics
- Microsoft Teams integration
- CRM integration
How Xoomtalk can help
If you’re not sure which services in your business are still relying on the PSTN, or what you should replace them with, Xoomtalk can help you.
We can review your current setup, identify what needs to change and help you choose a digital phone system that suits the way your team works.
Xoomtalk provides cloud-based business phone systems with features including Microsoft Teams and CRM integration, call routing, call recording and reporting. We can also advise on the connectivity needed to support your new setup.
There is still time to prepare for the PSTN switch-off, but 31 January 2027 is now less than six months away.
Get in touch with the Xoomtalk team and we’ll help you work out what needs to happen next.