With the 2027 BT Big Switch Off soon approaching, how prepared is your organisation?
With the significant upcoming changes due to affect business communications throughout the UK, it’s important that your organisation is prepared for the ‘Big Switch Off’.
Back in 2015, BT Openreach announced that by January 2025, the Analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) will be switched off entirely, transitioning to a more advanced IP-based system. Since then, the switch off date has been extended to 31 January 2027. This is to allow more time for businesses and consumers to prepare and transition to a more advanced IP-based system.
What does this mean for businesses?
This means that traditional analogue telephone technology will be a thing of the past. All UK phone lines will be required to move to a fully digital network, routing calls over IP.
However, it’s not just your phone services that will be affected. All systems that currently utilise PSTN and ISDN will also become superseded. Other items this may include are your broadband, security alarms, automatic door entry systems, CCTV, and much more.
Now is an ideal time to stay ahead of the changes and upgrade your phone lines before they become outdated.
The Big Switch Off extension to 2027
BT announced that it is delaying the switch ISDN and PSTN to internet-based services across the UK until 2027 – 2 years later than originally planned.
This decision follows a series of enhancements aimed at better supporting vulnerable customers and individuals with additional needs. The updated plan streamlines the transition from copper to fibre into a single switch, with all organisations required to move off the outdated analogue PSTN by the end of January 2027.
Organisations that haven’t yet transitioned to IP telephony or VoIP are encouraged to act now. The sooner you adopt this advanced technology, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of IP calls.
What does this mean for your organisation?
While the deadline for phasing out analogue landlines has been extended, the advantages of transitioning to digital services are becoming more apparent, as the outdated technology struggles to keep up with modern needs.
BT is urging businesses to take proactive steps and shift to fully digital networks. This will help to ensure operations are futureproof, ready to benefit from the efficiencies of digital business.
Why we recommend upgrading sooner rather than later
The new network will provide your organisation with a reliable and dependable service. You can experience better quality voice calls and a system that requires less maintenance.
Moving away from traditional lines will provide you with cost-effective technology, bringing a multitude of benefits such as reduced costs and free calls between sites. By securing your contracts now, you can also protect your business from future price surges and ensure stability in your long-term financial planning.
What other equipment will be affected?
If your organisation fails to transition to cloud phone systems ahead of the switch-off, you’re likely to experience further challenges. This is in addition to not being able to make calls. Any devices and systems relying on PSTN or ISDN will also become outdated, posing significant operational risks. This includes linked systems which will become non-functional. We would recommend identifying all systems and equipment that may need updating to avoid any inconveniences. These may include alarms, door entry systems, CCTV and fax devices. You will need to make sure that these systems are compatible before the 2027 deadline.
The key thing to also consider is your broadband. If you are currently relying on Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) or FTTC networks, these will need to be upgraded to Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTP) or Single order Generic Ethernet Access (SoGEA).
How to switch your services by 2027
With the help of the Consultiv Utilities Communications team, we can help make the switch to VoIP seamless.
We can work with you, and our leading technology partners, to determine a unified communications solution for your organisation’s specific needs and preferences.
We have access to various service delivery suppliers such as BT, Virgin Business, Talk-Talk Business, and many more.
If you would like to arrange a free quotation and site audit, please get in touch with us. We’ll work with you to design, install, and maintain the optimum system for your business requirements and budget.
Our objective is to identify and implement an ideal solution that provides cost savings and prepares you for the 2027 Switch Off. We will guide you through the whole process to make it as easy as possible. We’ll help to deliver a communications solution that won’t be affected by The Big Switch Off and is sure to improve business performance.
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