PSTN SWITCH-OFF DELAY
Stephanie Seekings , unified communications client manager, Getronics “The delayed PSTN switch off is good news
“It’s far better to plan your strategy now than wait until the last minute when your decisions might be rushed. But if a full switch isn’t viable right now, it could be beneficial in the interim to install a gateway within an existing infrastructure to enable SIP trunks. The cost of putting in this hardware will soon be outweighed by the cost savings from it.”
for businesses. From my conversations with end users, many of them aren’t even aware that it’s happening. The extension gives suppliers more time to let customers know about the changes. This in turn will allow businesses to properly review what they want to do, obtain budgets, future- proof any new systems and plan the deployment.
Stephanie Seekings
“However, I’d still recommend that businesses look to move onto a SIP trunk as quickly
as possible, because there is quite a cost saving in doing so. The longer it takes you to move from PSTN to SIP, the more money you’re spending in the short-term.
getronics.com
Kristian Torode , director and co-founder, Crystaline “On May 17, BT Group confirmed that the PSTN switch off would be pushed back. However, the new deadline doesn’t mean that businesses should deprioritise their digital switchover, as leaving it too long means a company risks being left without a functioning phone system.
with new business prospects. “Digital phonelines such as VoIP
help businesses to be more flexible by supporting call forwarding to mobiles, facilitating seamless remote working. VoIP only requires businesses to pay for the number of users they need, making it affordable and easily scalable during peak times or quieter periods. Switching now also gives a business sufficient time to adapt to the new communications set up. Being an early adopter ensures there is enough time to train staff on the new system, increasing their call handling ability. “Moreover, making the switch now gives businesses a competitive advantage. Thousands are yet to adopt digital PSTN alternatives, with Which? research showing three quarters of UK landline users still have a copper-based connection. Switching now leaves businesses with more time to find the right connectivity option for they budget and needs. “Despite the PSTN switch-off being delayed until 2027, its important businesses doesn’t delay switching to digital. Choosing a futureproofed PSTN alternative now not only helps avoid a last-minute rush, but also allows them to start reaping the benefits of digital connectivity immediately.”
“Openreach has now stopped sales of copper-based telephony and broadband products such as ADSL connectivity to more than 880,000 UK premises. Further stop sells will be triggered in exchanges where over three quarters of premises can access full fibre, with more than 700 exchanges expected to be affected by summer 2024. The rapid full fibre rollout means even if PSTN products are still available in an area, businesses should upgrade their business comms setup in advance of potential changes. “The production of replacement parts for many PSTN-based services has ceased, making it difficult to carry out essential repairs on broken equipment. Consequently, analogue phonelines are becoming less reliable, with Ofcom data showing a 60% increase in lost service hours in 2023. Therefore, delaying the switch means your company will likely face difficulties communicating internally, with clients and
Kristian Torode
crystaline.uk
www.newsinthechannel.co.uk
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