What is PSTN?
The Public Switch Telephone Network or as it's simply known as a ‘telephone line’ supports a number of Openreach products with communication providers. This is the most commonly used method for phone users within small offices only using one line or one number. You may not even know that your office is using PTSN and you could be at risk. Find out here if you need to upgrade.
These include Wholesale Line Rental (WLR), Shared Metallic Path Facility (SMPF) Broadband and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). At the end of December 2025 traditional telephony, including fixed lines and services in the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) will be switched off and withdrawn from service.
What is ISDN?
ISDN or Integrated Services Digital Network provides digital transmission of voice and data services. Although now it is primarily used for Voice as it gives you the options of having more than one Channel (line).
Why is PSTN being Switched off?
PSTN is becoming obsolete and with Openreach heavily focusing on their fibre first network, their traditional phone line is becoming harder and harder to maintain prompting Openreach to withdraw its current product line by 2025.
What should I do if I am affected by the switch off?
There is still time don’t worry, you need to start looking at upgrading your lines. Now more than ever, businesses of all sizes need reliable, high-quality internet connectivity, whether it’s fixed or mobile. You can’t look at this as a negative, think of this as a way to kickstart your business into modern times and bring new opportunities into the business with updated hardware and software suited for IP. We have an extensive range of IP products you can view here.
Cloud-based systems usually offer more features than you may be used to. For a start, they can easily integrate mobile devices and apps. Giving you the opportunity to work from anywhere with detailed reporting at your fingertips, helping you gather insights about customer and employee behaviour. But above all, they’ll enable you to work differently. It’s an opportunity to re-evaluate your business, maybe introducing flexible and remote working so you can work from any device, at any location and at any time.Will new fibre products be more expensive?
This is a worry that numerous suppliers have raised, buyers can purchase a line for making and receiving calls on for just £10 to £15, while a full Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) service can start at £50 each month. This can be seen as a critical increment for those only needing voice on their lines. For clients who do definitely need voice on their lines and have no prerequisite for broadband then a low bandwidth variation is expected yet there is little data that has been distributed with regards to this date. Get a quote from us here to see how V4 Cloud can help.
Are you Ready?
You don’t have to do this alone, we are here to help you through the change all the way, till the very end. V4 Cloud can guide you through everything you need at a cost-effective rate, bespoke to your business. Find out more here.
