You may have heard in the news that BT recently announced that it has delayed the “PSTN Switch-Off”.
This refers to the decommissioning of all copper-based data and phone lines across the UK. The end date has now been extended to January 2027 – some 13 months later than previously planned.
The main reason for the delay comes from an acknowledgement that the switch-off program needed enhancing to better protect vulnerable personal customers including Telecare users.
However, this delayed switch-off date does not change the fact that PSTN (public switched telephone network) is coming to the end of its serviceable life. BT Group has not, for some time now, been investing in network upgrades and according to a recent OfCom report
In 2023 the number of PSTN incidents increased by 20%. Also in 2023, there was a 60% increase in hours lost for customers on the PSTN. These statistics underline the need to switch as soon as possible to more reliable Internet Protocol (IP) based systems, to avoid service disruptions and / or quality issues.
Additionally, BT will continue switching off local telephone exchanges. The goal remains the same – the eventual shutdown of the PSTN. Therefore, businesses should not delay their plans to upgrade to IP-based systems.
If your business still uses the PSTN network, either for phone calls or as the bearer of your Broadband line, talk to us as soon as possible about the alternative options available to you.