Change is opportunity and it is risk. We like change – we initiate it and drive it proactively to help customers move forward and grow. But we’re not so keen on change forced upon us.
In the IT and tech worlds, we are used to change – in tech itself (mobile phones), infrastructure (Internet), or the legislation surrounding its use (GDPR). There have been many examples over the years; Y2K preparation, Brexit regulations and lockdown. We get them from time to time with core IT components reaching end of life and out of support from Microsoft and other strategic vendors. Milestones for which we need to plan, prepare, and address.
What next?
These examples are all part of the strategic coalescence of tech, and we have another change looming in the form of the PSTN Switch Off happening over the next four-year period.
This change may not be so well known, or as controversial as Brexit, but for millions of SMBs, corporates, and public sector organisations, it represents a major change in the fabric of their telecommunications on which they currently rely.
So, it’s a ‘thing’?
Yes – it’s an ongoing national programme with milestones that will affect many thousands of businesses (and consumers) across the UK. BT’s page on the Switch Off is here. It will affect millions of lines and the services and devices which use PSTN/ISDN for connection.
This change is a major upgrade of our national infrastructure and as such requires the sort of planning and action that Brexit and, before that, GDPR and Y2K necessitated. It is inconvenient, particularly if your analogue services are currently working, and another thing to address on top of recovering from lockdown.
Why change? Why now?
Our current telephone infrastructure dates back to the start of the last century and whilst revolutionary at the time, the original designers could not have anticipated the volume, complexity, and speed of communications it would come to support.
Initially built for voice, the network saw a drastic increase in data use in the late 20th century as devices began sharing the same legacy infrastructure. Openreach, who manages this infrastructure, is now switching off PSTN copper lines in favour of fibre lines that are fully digital, fast, flexible and ready for the future – alongside 5G for mobile.
That’s progress…
From a national perspective, it certainly is. But for your organisation, it means change. Telephone systems, door access and alarms, security systems, EPOS and card readers, and even faxes may be affected and could cease to work when PSTN lines are switched off from April 2025.
This is at best inconvenient and potentially more serious for organisations relying on this once-assumed stable infrastructure for communications and operations.
Change forced upon us
As with many unplanned changes, it’s all about how we respond. While some call it ‘The Great PSTN Switch Off’, at Digital Space we call it ‘The Great Digital Switch On’ – an opportunity to embrace fibre infrastructure and accelerate digital transformation with cloud-ready, data-driven communication platforms.
Change for the better
The replacement technology offers many benefits: cheaper running costs, greater agility, scalability, and access to cloud-based services like SaaS, data analytics, and Edge technologies.
If your current setup feels fine and fit-for-purpose, now is the time to assess your digital strategy. What are your competitors doing? Have you improved your customer experience and service delivery? How did you respond to hybrid working during lockdown?
Make a plan
We recommend building a ‘Digital Switch On’ agenda in line with Openreach’s programme milestones:
- Audit your exposure:
- Identify PSTN lines across all locations
- Create an inventory of connected devices – phones, alarms, access systems, faxes, EPOS and card readers
- Understand the impact:
- What services do these devices support?
- What happens if they stop working or can't be expanded?
- Note: Openreach has already begun ‘stop sell’ at many exchanges.
- Develop a strategy:
- Extend life with digital adaptations, or
- Replace and upgrade with virtualised services
- Develop a comprehensive migration plan:
- Assess age, cost, and criticality of current systems
- Align migration with broader digital transformation goals
- Execute:
- Communicate across your organisation and implement change
Isn’t the easiest option just to get a replacement service from my current provider?
Yes – but only if they offer full digital replacements and strategic transformation advice. If they haven’t already engaged you about the PSTN Switch Off, it might be time to reassess.
But we’re trying to recover from lockdown?
Absolutely. Many industries are still recovering. But this switch-off can be your springboard to future-proof operations, reduce long-term costs and deliver better service.
Use it to fast-track digital transformation with the right partner – one with experience in data-driven IT architecture, secure cloud migration, and business continuity.
Can Digital Space help?
Yes. Digital Space helps customers digitally transform through secure, enterprise-grade services in the cloud – while continuing to support legacy infrastructure during transition.
Book a free Connected audit with one of our specialists to see how ready you are for the switch-off and what steps to take next.
