Are you ready for the ISDN and PSTN switch off? Four reasons you need to act now

If you’re a business owner, you’ve probably heard about the upcoming ISDN and PSTN switch off for businesses. But what does it mean for you and your company? And – if you haven’t already – why do you need to act on it now?

The ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) and PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) are the traditional technologies that enable voice and data communication over copper phone lines. They’ve been around for decades and have served a very useful purpose. But they are now beginning to show their age, not only in terms of the degradation of infrastructure but also in their ability to match the needs of modern businesses and consumers.

That’s why Openreach, the organisation that manages the UK’s copper communications infrastructure, has announced that their ISDN and PSTN networks will be switched off by the end of 2025.

By then, the UK’s telephone communications will look very different. Instead of traditional landlines, we’ll be using fully digital Internet Protocol (IP) based voice services (like our very own Digital Voice and CloudComms services) that use internet connections rather than traditional phone lines.

And those new voice services will be enabled by modern full full fibre, SOGEA and leased line data connections – also crucial in making our business broadband fit for the future.

But this huge change to the way we work and communicate isn’t just coming, it’s already happening. And, whether we like it or not, it is inevitable. That’s why, for businesses, there’s no more time to delay. In this article we’ll explain four reasons why businesses need to act sooner rather than later and avoid the risks of leaving adapting to the PSTN/ISDN switch off to the last minute.

Availability and reliability

Much is made of the inevitability of the move to an all-IP future, but the reasons behind the move are vitally important to businesses.

And in case you’re wondering why we keep pushing the point, when we recently surveyed 1,000 business decision makers, we found that only 15% of SMEs (small to medium-sized enterprises) were aware of the switch off and already had a solution in place.

The old analogue network is becoming increasingly obsolete and difficult to maintain, and as our needs become ever greater, it is not up to the demands of modern communications.

The existing copper network is prone to faults and interference that can affect the quality and performance of copper-based voice and broadband services. But moving to modern alternatives means improved call quality, faster speeds, greater reliability and more features – often at lower cost.

Digital Voice offers improved call quality at lower costs than traditional landline alternatives, while CloudComms offers businesses of any size all the call centre functions they could ever need. On the data front, full fibre broadband enables improved video conferencing, file sharing and cloud-based working. It empowers office, remote and hybrid workforces to communicate and collaborate more efficiently and effectivity. And, when your business is kitted out with these future proof services, you’ll not only benefit from their increased performance and reliability, but you’ll also be safe from the disruptions, compatibility issues and maintenance and repair problems that leaving your transition to the last minute are likely to bring.

Innovation and improvement

If you only make the switch when you have to, you might be confronted with some of the issues we’ve highlighted above. But the chances are you’ll also miss out on the advantages that making an early move to modern communications and connectivity can bring.

That’s because existing legacy networks can limit the potential of businesses to innovate and compete in a digital world. Think about using cloud-based applications, video conferencing, and hybrid or remote working.

Modern alternatives can help to improve productivity, collaboration and, ultimately, customer satisfaction. So given that the move to modern communications and connectivity is inevitable, why not make the move now and enjoy the benefits for longer?

Flexibility and scalability

Existing technologies were not built for the things we now expect from them.

Whether that’s ultrafast connections to keep an office running smoothly, cloud computing or advanced business communications, our existing copper networks simply aren’t fully up to the task.

Modern businesses need to adapt to modern ways of working, easy expansion, and integration of new voice and data services, and that’s where modern communications and broadband connections excel.

The last thing you want is to be stuck with outdated technology that hinders your growth or modernisation, or providing the level of service that your customers expect.

Future-proof your business today

As we’ve already pointed out, the transition to modern communication and connectivity is already happening. The only question for businesses is how and when do you respond to the change.

Recognising the opportunities that these modern technologies provide can encourage you to make the move sooner rather than later, and that means – when the switch off comes – you’ll already be enjoying the benefits and you’ll be safe from the disruption that 2025 will bring to those businesses that haven’t properly prepared.

The ISDN/PSTN switch off is not something businesses can afford to overlook, and delaying the transition is only likely to bring additional challenges. It is a major change that will affect every business in the UK, and it’s happening now.

To find out more about the Great British Switch Off, including access to helpful resources and dates, visit our dedicated page here.