All about the Great British Switch Off: Your complete guide

Have you heard about the changes to UK landline connections?

The humble landline, as most of us currently know it, will soon be a thing of the past. Plans for traditional copper infrastructure circuits to be switched off will see customers having to move to internet-based connections. This is being referred to by some as the ISDN Switch Off, but at Zen we're calling it the Great British Switch Off.

So what does this mean for you? Whether you’re a homeowner who likes chatting on the phone to your friends and family, or running a big business with hundreds of calls to manage daily – the 2025 Switch Off will impact everyone.

But don’t worry – there are solutions in place and connectivity providers available with the expertise to help you through the change. We’ve put together this handy guide to help your small business prepare.

What is the ISDN Switch Off? 

The Great British Switch Off refers to the phasing out of the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN for short) and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). As part of a gradual ‘switch off’ process, people will no longer be able to acquire PSTN or ISDN services after September 2023 (and sometimes sooner). The old technology will then be completely switched off in 2025.

In short, this will see the end of analogue phone lines in the UK as we know them.

How will businesses stay connected when analogue phonelines are switched off? 

VoIP technology – delivered by fibre optic cables – will replace the existing infrastructure. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which allows users to make voice calls using an internet connection.

Rather than passing signal through copper wires like the old system, a VoIP landline phone plugs into your internet router and uses your WiFi connection to wirelessly make and receive voice calls.

The roll-out of VoIP closely follows the UK Full Fibre internet expansion.

Once there is 75% penetration of FTTP in your area, what’s known as a “stop sell” comes into place on old technology. Once Ultrafast broadband is an option for your home or business, you will no longer be able to buy an ISDN or PTSN connection. Instead, the more reliable and better quality VoIP connection will cover your landline. Don’t worry, your provider will warn you about this before you need to make the switch. Check if Zen Ultrafast broadband is available in your area yet using our handy postcode checker.

Now that the majority of the UK has access to a reliable internet connection and the rollout of full fibre technology is gathering pace, digital transformation at scale is achievable. As a result, a host of cloud communications products and services are becoming available – providing far superior service to the copper phone lines of the past.

What is ISDN and why is it being switched off?

ISDN works by splitting traditional copper telephone lines into multiple digital channels. These channels operate together on single copper lines, which allows multiple phones to make and receive calls simultaneously using one physical line.

Although ISDN has improved a lot since its inception, the network has been largely unchanged since it was introduced. ISDN has now become outdated, with today’s broadband connection delivering much faster speeds – as well as greater flexibility.

Businesses using ISDN are tied to physical locations, whereas VoIP is much more scalable and suitable for the future of remote and hybrid work. ISDN used to be the go-to option, but more and more companies now require digital solutions for high bandwidth activities – such as video calling.

What is replacing the old copper wire infrastructure? 

VoIP technology will be the standard from 2025. VoIP technology allows users to make and receive voice calls using devices with an internet connection. What’s more, this can be done without being tied to a fixed location.

VoIP works by converting your voice into a digital file, then compressing it and sending it over the internet. If the other user is calling from a regular phone number, the signal is converted back into a regular telephone signal before it reaches that user.

The benefits of VoIP technology include:

• Better functionality. VoIP technology can do so much more than just voice calls. Depending on the system you want, you can choose other features such as video calls and instant messaging.
• Mobile friendly. Cloud-based VoIP systems allow users to connect from wherever they are using a mobile phone or tablet. This is ideal for many types of businesses as it allows users to make and receive work calls without having to physically be in the office.
• Cost-saving. Many VoIP packages offer cheaper deals and cheaper calls. Depending on what you need, this can include things like free international calls or free calls between multiple offices.
• Portability. VoIP numbers are completely portable, so you can use the same number wherever you go. This is ideal for those who travel a lot. Businesses which change their address can still retain the same number.

• Higher quality sound. As long as you have a good internet connection, call quality is crisp and clear with minimal lag.

How can businesses prepare for the 2025 Switch Off?

Businesses of all shapes and sizes need to start preparing for the Great British Switch Off. Our experts have put together some top tips to help you get ready.

1. Check your connection.

Do you have a good internet connection? If you don’t, now is the ideal time to upgrade in preparation.

2. Take a look at your contract.

Now is the time to check your internet contract, as that will give you an idea of how soon you can make the switch. Switching as soon as you can will save you effort and money in the long run.

3. See what else is using your lines.

If you run a business, it’s likely that your phone lines are being used for more than just voice calls. They can be used for anything from door entry systems to cash machines and alarms. Upgrading will have an impact on how these services function – so be sure to track down any and all of them so you can make preparations.

4. Don’t buy old tech.

This is especially important for new businesses. It’s not advisable to buy outdated hardware such as desk phones, as you’ll just be wasting your hard-earned money in the long run.

5. Educate other users.

Whether you run a business or live in a busy household, it’s likely there will be multiple people using your phone line. Make sure everyone knows how to use the new technology –  it’s likely your service provider will have training guides available. Check out our handy ‘how to’ video for everything you need to know about Zen Digital Voice set up.

6. Ask for advice.

Do your best to familiarise yourself with the new technology – but don’t be afraid to reach out to ask for help. Our experts here at Zen will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Get in touch to find out more or check out our Help page.

What Zen landline products are available for my business?

Digital Voice 

Zen Digital Voice is a single-line voice product suitable for small business and consumer use. Our package includes 100 landline and/or mobile minutes as standard. Plus, for a small fee, you can add Digital Voice to your existing Zen broadband contract.

Zen Digital Voice is the key to future-proofing your small business’ phoneline connection, without having to switch numbers. Get access to a whole host of advanced features, from call hold, to blacklisting and barring.

Find out how to make the move to Digital Voice for your business.

CloudComms 

Choose a hosted telephone system connection with multi-user or multi-site capability. Zen CloudComms provides unified connection both within your business and with customers, plus extra business features.

This simple and scalable solution can suit businesses of any size. It provides flexibility for remote working and offers the ultimate customer engagement from any location. We’re experts on migrating businesses to hosted telephone solutions, enabling homeworking.

Check out Zen CloudComms solutions for business.

Get a little help from Zen 

As this is one of the biggest changes in phone technology in the last few decades, we know that lots of people are understandably concerned. Our experts are poised to help, and happy to answer any questions you may have about the upcoming changes.

Our VoIP packages are perfect for future-proofing your phone line. Switching to one of these packages now means that your connection won’t face any disruption in the coming years, and you can enjoy all the additional benefits of digital home phone technology.