Is your business ready for the telephone network switch-off?
British Telecom will turn off the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) in less than three years, requiring all businesses to move to internet-based voice services, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). It’s the biggest digital change in communications since TV’s digital switchover, but few businesses understand the implications for their day-to-day operation. Here, we find out more…
In 2015, BT Openreach announced it would switch off PSTN by December 2025; as the equipment is reaching the end of life, maintenance is becoming challenging and digital alternatives are now available. This means all businesses will need a digital, internet-enabled phone line to replace their landline if they want to receive and make calls.
The ’stop sell’
The PSTN began in 2020 in two pilot locations, Salisbury and Mildenhall, where it is now impossible to purchase PSTN-enabled services. This is known as the ‘stop sell’ and is being expanded across the UK. Openreach hopes to complete the national ‘stop sell’ by September 2023, after which time it will be impossible to buy a traditional landline or change the location of an existing one. (Openreach gives 12 months’ notice of the ‘stop sell’, but it’s a good idea for businesses to make the switch sooner to ensure continuity of service.)
VoIP
The internet-based replacement of the landline is known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and transmits voice calls over the internet, providing almost instant, internet-enabled phone calls. In addition to performing all the same functions of a traditional landline system, VoIP offers several benefits: it is fully scalable, enabling connections to be added or removed in just a few minutes; it’s accessible through any device connected to the internet and offers the flexibility to take calls from anywhere and everywhere.
Broadband
As well as the need to find a new internet-based voice service, such as VoIP, if your current broadband connection operates on the ADSL network, you’ll need to switch over your broadband too. Openreach is currently rolling out ultra-fast full fibre as an alternative, and as soon as 75% of an area has access to full-fibre broadband, ADSL will cease to become available. The goal is to facilitate all internet connections via full fibre, known as Fibre To The Premises (FTTP).
At present, other interim solutions include Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC), where fibre optic cables connect to the green street cabinet. Then copper wires run from the cabinet to the business, and Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SOGEA), which is the most forward-thinking solution if FTTP isn’t available, as it requires you to use a VoIP system for calls, thereby preparing you for the new system.
This might all sound a little daunting, but think of it this way: by getting ahead and switching to internet-enabled services such as FTTP or SoGEA with VoIP, you’ll ensure your communications continue to run smoothly and will future-proof your business for years to come.
For advice and assistance with any business-related insurance matter, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll be happy to provide a quotation and ensure your business is fully protected against all insurable risks. Call NLIG now on 01992 703 300 or email: insurance@nlig.co.uk
