PSTN SWITCH OFF
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if alarm and door entry systems that rely on PSTN are no longer able to function. It may even lead to loss of business altogether if phones and connectivity are no longer available making communication with customers and staff impossible. The severity of the impact depends on what PSTN services a company relies on, but for most businesses, this could be more catastrophic in the worst-case scenario than they realise. For example, if a business clings to PSTN and fails to make the switch, the inability to leverage the advantages presented by digital communications could massively impact their market share alongside eroding their competitiveness. What should businesses do to prepare for the stop-sell/switch off? LH: For businesses that need to prepare for the imminent stop-sell, one of the first steps they can take is to audit their current infrastructure setup and establish what technology within their business is reliant on PSTN. Remember, it’s not always just analogue phone lines and broadband – it could be anything from a door entry system, a building’s lift, an EPOS system or CCTV. Next, a migration plan to make the switch to alternative digital services should be undertaken. This can also be a chance to think about the long-term objectives of the business, and what technology is needed to help achieve this. From our survey we know that of the businesses that have already migrated away from their PSTN network, 63% did so as part of a wider digital transformation strategy, and 59% did it to enable the use of the latest technology. We hope to see more businesses follow in these footsteps, as having access to the latest voice and connectivity technology is essential for long-term innovation and growth. For smaller organisations, or those unsure of where to begin, working closely with an experienced technology partner to organise and complete the migration is advised.
allow for better remote working conditions, streamlined customer experiences, and more innovation in advanced services. By migrating away from the old and adopting the new, the UK can unlock new opportunities for growth, efficiency and improved communication experiences. From improved infrastructure where digital technologies can offer higher bandwidth to being scalable and flexible to innovate new technologies and applications as they emerge, the PSTN switch-off has enormous potential to allow the UK to make a claim as a digital powerhouse. What can resellers do to help customers to deal with the switch off/ stop-sell? LH: Perhaps the most important action for resellers to take is to provide the right information to educate their customers on the implications of the upcoming switch-off. For example, how aware are they of the September stop-sell and that this will not only prevent them from buying new PSTN-related products, but also from amending existing services? Are they aware of the full breadth of devices they have connected to PSTN? By offering educational materials, webinars, or even workshops to customers, explaining the switch-off process and its impact on their communications systems, you can encourage them to take a proactive approach to addressing the situation before it’s too late. What opportunities does this present to resellers? LH: With 88% of businesses in the UK still reliant on the PSTN, there is ample opportunity for resellers to support their customers in their migration to digital services ahead of the switch-off. There are various ways they can capitalise on this opportunity themselves. For example, they can assess their customers’ current infrastructure – existing devices, phone lines, systems – to determine which components will be affected by the switch-off and flag areas of concern. From here, they can then offer alternative digital solutions, such as VoIP systems and cloud-based communication platforms and explain the benefits of these more up-to-date models. In short, the PSTN switch-off is an opportunity for dealers and resellers to support their customers on a well-needed digitisation journeys and must not be passed up!
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The PSTN
switch-off is happening whether we want it to or not, but it’s also a great opportunity to embrace the benefits of digital transformation.
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How important a step is this on the UK’s road to digitalisation?
LH: The PSTN switch-off is happening whether we want it to or not, but it’s also a great opportunity to embrace the benefits of digital transformation. In the long-term, this will mark a big step forward in the modernisation of the UK’s communication infrastructure, which will
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