The Switch Off of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is a significant change that businesses should be aware of. Originally designed for voice communication, the PSTN is an old system that is now being phased out. Many businesses still rely on it for various connectivity needs.
Openreach is leading this transition, prompting businesses to move to newer, more reliable digital solutions. You may have heard that the switch off date has been extended to 2027. Does this mean you can slow down your preparations? Absolutely not. In fact, businesses need to be more proactive than ever. Consider everything that relies on your internet access or phone line.
We are dedicated to raising awareness so that businesses can approach the switch off fully prepared.
Could you prepare your business in 90 days?
Openreach, the organisation responsible for maintaining these traditional lines, has announced they can give just 90 days' notice to cease services starting from the end of 2025.
What does this mean for your business?
Could you switch all your critical systems in just 90 days? It’s essential to start preparing now, as many of your current systems may rely on these outdated networks—think card payment systems, CCTV, lift alarms, and more.
Read more about the dangers of delaying your switch off journey here.
How did we get here?
The UK has been building towards faster, more reliable, digital connectivity for a while and now it's time for the switch to take place. Here's how we've got to this point.
Are you switched on?
The UK has been building towards faster, more reliable, digital connectivity and the time has come for the switch to take place in the business community. We recently surveyed 2,000 CEOs and IT Decision Makers to understand where they are on their transformation journey.
25% of businesses are unaware that switch off will also impact copper-based internet services.
86% of businesses are open to adopting cloud communications solutions
Worryingly, 28% of businesses aware of the date change think it gives them more time to assess options. However, rising faults in the copper network pose serious risks if action is delayed.
*Navigating the digital comms era. 27% assessing options + 17% don’t know next steps
The future of connectivity and voice is here, offering businesses faster, more reliable, and scalable solutions. With modern IP-based systems, including full fibre and VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) based voice solutions like CloudComms, you get communications that are more flexible and secure, perfectly suited to meet the evolving needs of today's businesses. These solutions ensure you stay competitive and seamlessly connected..
Single Order Generic Ethernet Access, or SOGEA to use its more palatable name, is the non-full fibre equivalent of broadband without the phone line.
SOGEA will be available wherever Full Fibre is not. It will allow your business to move to CloudComms in preparation for the switch off.
With full fibre using fibre cables all the way to your business premises upgrading today means your broadband will no longer need to rely on those traditional copper telephone lines. It’s time to make your business broadband 'Switch Off Ready' so it won't be disrupted by the Openreach copper switch off.
For the ultimate in reliable, dedicated, secure business connectivity, sometimes only an Ethernet connection will do. Benefit from Zens Service Level Agreements including 24/7 technical support, 100% uptime guarantee, and consistent monitoring of your connection.
Need a simple replacement to your landline for business calls?
CloudComms Solo gives you the option to retain your existing business number, make and receive calls like you do today with added functionality like voicemail, call forwarding, call waiting and much more!
£6.49 per month ex VAT (12 month contract)
Need support for multi-users, multi-sites, or want to access more features? Zen CloudComms seamlessly integrates cloud, data, and voice for better collaboration and efficiency. Our Essentials, Professional, and Premium plans let you mix and match products to meet your business needs, with enhanced functionality for top users.
From £6.99 per month per user, ex VAT (12 month contract)
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking allows your business to make calls over the internet, you might choose this as an option if you have a PBX (Private Branch Exchange) on site to manage your current telephone system and you don’t want to move away from this. SIP trunking would then enable you to remove your reliance on the old analogue PSTN lines switching infrastructure to carry your calls.
When it comes to the switch off there's a lot more to think about for businesses when it comes to getting switch off ready, this is why we're urging businesses to start their planning for the switch off today.
Businesses often find that some of the additional systems they use are relying on their traditional analogue line (PSTN line: Public Switch Telephone Network). The above diagram gives a few common examples where your third party supplier might currently be utilising your traditional landline connection to provide their services.
This is one of the reasons we advise businesses to start planning their switch off journey today, so that you have time to contact and allow for these third parties to update systems and provide you with a date of when their services will be digital (all-IP) ready.
Another reason is so that you have time to plan your move, from porting over that telephone number that has become synonymous with your business to having time to think about the right connectivity and voice solution for your business both today, and where it plans to be in the future.
Our team understands more than most that when it comes to preparing for the Switch off businesses have a lot to think about. They're on hand as an extension of your team to talk you through the steps to take to get your business switch off ready. They will help guide you through the best fit switch off ready connectivity and voice.
Don't want to wait? Call our team today on 01706 902590.
Our business sales team are available 09:00am - 17:00pm Monday - Friday.
As you know we've been talking about the switch off for some time now, and we've gathered a list of some of the most popular questions we've been asked from businesses like yours.
1. Check your current equipment and identify what needs upgrading along with any third-party devices/ services (phones, fax machines, payment terminals, alarms, etc.).
2. Contact us for guidance on the digital transition and let us know if you have dependencies on third-party devices/ services so that we understand you are proactively investigating these.
3. Ensure your broadband is fast and reliable enough to support both internet and phone services. If not, upgrade today!
4. Plan for power outages and consider backup solutions to ensure your business remains connected during disruptions.
