PSTN SWITCH OFF
Ready for the off The PSTN is being switched off in 2025, but many businesses are not yet ready for this and resellers have a crucial role in ensuring that they are prepared before the switch-off, as M247’s Liz Hawke explains
The public switched telephone network (PSTN) is being switched off in December 2025, and there is a stop-sell on PSTN products, which will mean that businesses can no longer order new PSTN-related devices, add any new PSTN lines, or even make any significant changes to existing PSTN services, in September this year. However, a recent survey by M247 found many businesses are not ready for this. Liz Hawke, product manager UC&C at M247, explains more. News in the Channel: Why is the PSTN being switched off? Liz Hawke: In short, the PSTN is being switched-off because it’s old and has been replaced by newer technology that better fits the modern world. The PSTN is a network of copper wires that has kept the UK connected since the 1800s. Openreach, the PSTN’s owner, will be switching the network off because of increasing difficulties associated with maintaining the now aged infrastructure, as well as the result of evolving communication styles and habits. What is awareness like of the forthcoming switch-off and stop-sell of PSTN among businesses? LH: Awareness of the switch-off is high, but surprisingly, many businesses have yet to take any action. M247 recently ran a survey of 500 UK-based IT decision-makers to temperature check awareness of the switch-off and need to migrate to a digital alternative soon. Surprisingly, 77% of the respondents were aware of 2025’s switch-off, and 76% were also aware of the PSTN stop-sell. The stop-sell is now only four months away, and with 80% of respondents believing migration from PSTN services could take up to six months to complete, time really is of the essence for businesses that need to make alternative arrangements. While IP-based services tend to be a bit faster to get up and running, moving away from the PSTN could potentially take a few
months to complete. Establishing which services a customer might have, new solution design, configuration and deployment, as well as traditionally cumbersome processes like number porting all take time. Businesses that are not prioritising this work risk being left with gaps in service and potentially significant disruption to their customers.
Why are so many businesses not prepared for this?
LH: From what we’ve gathered, it seems that the PSTN switch-off is not being treated with as much urgency as some of the other IT challenges facing businesses today. Only 29% of businesses we surveyed listed the PSTN switch-off as a top priority, compared to the likes of increasing threats to cybersecurity (50%) and investment in cloud migration (47%). There could be several reasons for this. Some businesses may be less reliant on traditional phone services, for example where the customer base is a younger demographic who tend to prefer mobile or internet-based comms. Equally there could be industry-specific factors to consider. For example, businesses that are solely technology-driven might prioritise innovations and advancements to their core operations rather than the PSTN switch-off. In addition, there is growing anxiety and concerns surrounding the threats of cyberattacks, which can be seen as an immediate risk. Although the PSTN switch- off might not be deemed as catastrophic compared to the impact of a cyberattack, this line of thought is misguided. The switch-off needs to be a top priority if businesses want to navigate this unscathed.
Liz Hawke product manager UC&C
m247.com
Only 29% of businesses we surveyed listed the PSTN switch-off as a top priority, compared to the likes of increasing threats to cybersecurity (50%) and investment in cloud migration (47%). “
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What could the impact be on businesses that are unprepared for this?
LH: Failing to migrate away from the PSTN on time is more than likely going to pose a major risk to business operations in the short- to medium-term. This could be security risks CONTINUED
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