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The Great Switch Off: Is Your Business Ready for the All-IP Future?

You might have heard whispers, or perhaps even loud announcements, about the “Great Switch Off.” This isn’t just a technical upgrade; it’s a fundamental shift in how the UK’s communication network operates, and it will impact every business in the country.

What is the "Great Switch Off"?

Essentially, Openreach (who manage the UK’s primary telephone network) is retiring the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) – the traditional copper phone lines that have powered our communications for decades. The final deadline for this complete switch-off is January 31, 2027.

This means that legacy services that rely on these copper lines – including traditional landline phone services (like WLR, ISDN2, and ISDN30), as well as many ADSL and FTTC broadband connections – will cease to function. They are being replaced by modern, internet-based “All-IP” solutions

Why is This Happening?

The PSTN is old technology, costly to maintain, and simply can’t keep up with the demands of modern businesses. The move to All-IP brings significant advantages:

  • Faster, More Reliable Connectivity: New fibre-based solutions offer superior speeds and stability.
  • Future-Proof Technology: Internet Protocol (IP) is the foundation of modern communication, ensuring your services are ready for future innovations.
  • Enhanced Capabilities: All-IP opens the door to advanced voice and data services, improving business efficiency.

Key Dates Your Business Needs to Know:

  • Nationwide Stop Sell (September 2023): This date has already passed. It means that you can no longer order new traditional copper-based services (like WLR) or make significant changes to existing ones in many areas. If your business needs a new line or service, you’ll be directed to All-IP alternatives.
  • Exchange Switch Offs (Ongoing): Openreach is progressively turning off traditional services in exchanges across the country. Once an exchange hits 75% fibre availability, a “Stop Sell” is triggered for that area, and traditional services are eventually withdrawn. There’s a “no move back to copper” policy once a premises is covered by fibre.
  • Final Deadline (January 31, 2027): By this date, all traditional PSTN services will be permanently switched off.
PSTN Switch Off Checklist

The Great Switch Off Timeline

2018-2019 WLR consultation, Stop Sell notice. Salisbury/Mildenhall trials, SOGEA EMD. 2020-2021 Salisbury/Mildenhall trials begin, stop sell. Regulatory Enablers, copper pricing changes. Wider stop sell rules applied. Jan 22 SOTAP (Single Order ADSL variant) released for EMD. Sep 22 Openreach announce 5 pilot Exchanges for copper product withdrawal. Dec 22 Salisbury/Mildenhall trials close. Jun 23 New WLR Communication Providers rejected for establishment. Sep 23 Nationwide Stop Sell of WLR Transfers and activation of Calling and Network features still accepted. May 24 Openreach announces 13-month extension. Jul 24 SOADSL available for customers with no fibre broadband access. Dec 25 Openreach contract rules change to 30-day notice period. 31 Jan 27 WLR Withdrawal and closure of the PSTN network 2030 & Beyond All listed exchanges withdrawn.

How Does This Affect Your Business?

The switch-off isn’t just about your phone line; it impacts a wide range of services:

  • Business Phone Lines: If you use traditional analogue lines or ISDN for your voice calls, these will need to be migrated to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solutions.
  • Broadband: Many ADSL and FTTC broadband services rely on the copper line. These will need to transition to “Single Order” broadband solutions like SOGEA, SOADSL, or FTTP.
  • Specialised Equipment: This is crucial! Services often connected to traditional phone lines include:
    • Alarm Systems: Fire, intruder, and personal alarms (including Telecare).
    • Payment Terminals (PDQs): Card machines used for transactions.
    • CCTV: Older systems relying on analogue lines.
    • Lift Lines: Emergency phones in lifts.
    • Gate Entry Systems

If these devices are not migrated, they will simply stop working after the switch-off, potentially causing significant disruption and even safety issues for your business

What Are Your Options?

The good news is there are robust, modern alternatives available. Your technology partner can help you transition to a comprehensive All-IP portfolio designed for businesses:

  • Superfast Broadband:
    • FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises): The fastest and most reliable option, delivering fibre directly to your premises, with speeds up to 1Gbps.
    • SOGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access): A fibre-based broadband that doesn’t require a separate phone line, offering speeds up to 80Mbps.
    • SOADSL (Single Order Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line): For areas not yet covered by fibre, this replaces traditional ADSL, offering speeds up to 24Mbps.
  • Modern Voice Solutions:
    • Microsoft Teams Voice: Integrate your phone system directly into Microsoft Teams for seamless communication, collaboration, and calling from virtually anywhere.
    • Zoom Phone: Extend Zoom’s familiar collaboration platform with enterprise-grade phone capabilities, offering flexibility and advanced features.
    • RingCentral MVP: A leading cloud communications platform providing messaging, video, and phone services all in one integrated solution.
    • CloudTalk: A feature-rich cloud-based call center solution designed to enhance customer support and sales teams with advanced calling features.

What You Need to Do NOW:

Delaying action could leave your business vulnerable to service disruption. Here’s your checklist:

  1. Audit Your Services: Identify every service in your business that uses a traditional phone line or older broadband connection. Don’t forget alarms, payment terminals, faxes, lift lines, and any other connected devices.
  2. Understand Your Needs: For each service, determine if it can be migrated to an All-IP solution. Consider your future needs – do you need more speed, more features, or simply a reliable replacement?
  3. Plan Your Migration: Don’t wait until the last minute! Migrating services, especially for complex setups, takes time.
  4. Communicate Clearly: Ensure all stakeholders within your business are aware of the changes and the timeline.
  5. Consult with Experts: This is where Spectrum and its partners come in. We can help you:
    • Identify which of your current services are affected.
    • Recommend the best All-IP solutions for your specific business needs.
    • Manage the migration process smoothly, from order placement to activation.

Don't Get Left Behind – We're Here to Help!

The “Great Switch Off” is a significant change, but it’s also a huge opportunity to future-proof your business with more reliable, faster, and feature-rich services. Spectrum is committed to supporting our customers through this transition with expert guidance, dedicated support, and a comprehensive portfolio of All-IP solutions, please get in touch today to start your conversation.

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