PSTN Switch Off
What you need to know to stay connected.
Many of us are probably not familiar with the PSTN Switch Off. This shortened acronym means the Public Switched Telephone Network, and the PSTN switch off is going to affect everyone.
In 2025, the PSTN is being switched off by Openreach. This means both businesses and households using traditional PSTN lines for their phoneline and internet connection will no longer have a dial tone or connectivity if they don’t switch to another service.
What is the PSTN?
The Public Switched Telephone Network is a traditional circuit-switched telephone network and is a system that has been in use since the 1800s. The outdated technology uses underground copper wires to carry communications with anyone around the world.
PSTN landlines have been in decline for several years, and despite being largely accepted as a standard form of communication, they are far more expensive than many of the alternatives.
What is the PSTN Stop Sell?
Many people fixate on the 2025 date. However, you will be affected much sooner. Openreach have already started to phase out PSTN services in what is known as the Stop Sell. Once your area hits a stop sell you won’t be able to make changes or add services to your existing PSTN Lines.
Stop Sell Timeline
This stop sell will be phased out across the UK until the complete telephone network has switched over to digital infrastructure. Any business or residence in the UK will not be able to purchase an old ISDN or PSTN telephone service line from December 2023. Anybody still operating on the old system will still be able to use the telephone network until the switch off in December 2025.
What date will your area be affected?
Why is Openreach Switching PSTN off?
The way we communicate has changed drastically over the last decade. PSTN and ISDN lines are struggling to support the speed and demands of communication required in the modern world. Openreach has decided to stop investing in this outdated technology that cannot fulfil business communication requirements for much longer.
What are the alternatives?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) transmits voice calls using your internet connection. It has been around for many years, and many businesses have adopted the technology. When it’s your turn to be disconnected, don’t miss out on keeping in touch with your customers and suppliers. We’ve got two VOIP offers to seemlessly keep your business running.
Phoneline+
From £8.99 per user
Our Phoneline+ offering has been specifically designed to replace traditional landline services with VoIP technology at competitive costs.
Why choose Phoneline+?
- Free UK national calls and mobile calls
- Access VoIP services with a broadband connection
- Make and receive calls from anywhere
- Add, remove and manage other users easily
- Futureproof technology ready for the 2025 PSTN switch off.
Daisy Hosted Voice
From £15.95 per user
Daisy Hosted Voice is our leading business VoIP package to get your business ready for the 2025 PSTN switch off. Don’t delay!
Why choose Daisy Hosted Voice?
- A scalable VoIP solution
- Benefit from unlimited calling between colleagues
- Ideal for flexible and remote working
- Simple & easy to setup
- Cloud-ready system for greater call management and security.
As with anything, VoIP does have some disadvantages. Your business must invest in a high-quality business broadband solution to successfully handle VoIP calls. A poor internet connection can cause poor voice quality with latency and jitter. However, any issues can be quickly fixed with a strong business fibre broadband connection.
Not sure on the best solution for your business? Call us now!
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0161 511 6722
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Full Fibre Connectivity
Alongside the PSTN switch off, Openreach and other providers are laying infrastructure to make Britain a full fibre nation. Meaning the vast majority of homes and businesses, by the time the PSTN is switched off, will be able to get full fibre connectivity, also known as FTTP.
With speeds up to a Gigabyte from all-time low prices, this is the connectivity solution to ensure your business stays connected and you can collaborate and communicate effectively with your teams in the new digital landscape.
Our lowest full fibre broadband prices yet!
£34.98p/m*
We’ve dropped our Full Fibre price to its lowest yet. Get faster, more reliable speeds with this future-proof connectivity.
*monthly prices are subject to VAT based on 24 month contract, business grade fibre-optic broadband to the cabinet with download bandwidth options of up to 76 mbs and upload speed of up to 19 mbs, any fibre connection is subject to local network coverage and may be subject to set-up fees depending on installation requirements.
NEW CUSTOMER SPECIAL
Our lowest full fibre broadband prices yet!
£29.95p/m*
We’ve dropped our Full Fibre price to its lowest yet. Get faster, more reliable speeds with this future-proof connectivity.
*monthly prices are subject to VAT based on 24 month contract, business grade fibre-optic broadband to the cabinet with download bandwidth options of up to 76 mbs and upload speed of up to 19 mbs, any fibre connection is subject to local network coverage and may be subject to set-up fees depending on installation requirements.
When should I switch to VoIP?
Many businesses are choosing to switch away from both ISDN and PSTN phone lines to avoid the last-minute rush. Despite the UK phasing out the PSTN network, there's some anticipation that many will put off making a change until the last minute.
Companies who are switching now are taking advantage of a great deal whilst future-proofing their business to minimise any disruption the telephone network switch off could cause.
Will the PSTN Switch Off affect anything else?
The migration away from PSTN will impact security, fire alarms and even retail payment terminals. Some features used by these services rely on the PSTN and Openreach are working on ensuring these services can be moved over with no issues.
How Does PSTN Impact Different Industries?
As the PSTN switch-off approaches, the impact on businesses goes much further than phone systems. Many other technologies operate on the PSTN network that will suddenly stop working in 2025.
This includes industries and technologies that cannot afford to be inactive. Some high-priority devices include:
Panic Alarms - People who depend on panic alarms and other emergency systems may be impacted by the upcoming network transition. Retail shops, banks, restaurants, and any other organisation that depends on traditional analogue networks will also be affected. Read more about the impact on panic alarms here.
Security - Most businesses and homes in the UK operate on the traditional PSTN analogue network. The switch-off will impact door entry systems, security alarms, intercoms, and CCTV cameras. Read more about the impact on business and home security here.
Card Machines & EPOS - The PSTN switch off will impact multiple technologies that businesses rely on every day, including your card machine and EPOS system. Read more about the impact on business payment systems here.
PSTN FAQs
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Can I still use the old telephone lines?
PSTN telephone networks can still be used until December 2025. However, nobody in the UK will be able to purchase a new PSTN phone system after December 2023. They are currently being phased out across the UK.
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What is ISDN?
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a circuit-switched phone line similar to PSTN.
The difference is that ISDN transmits voice and data via digital instead of analogue lines. It also provides better voice quality on telephone networks.
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Do I need an internet connection?
You must have a strong internet connection to support analogue voice data.
Many companies benefit from the additional features that a VoIP phone system offers. High-grade Business Broadband ensures that phone calls are reliable and free from any latency.
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Are VoIP phone systems cheaper?
A VoIP phone system is much cheaper than a PBX phone system. Traditional PBX systems are expensive to both run and maintain. Broadband telephony means that you do not have to compete with other people for data carriage at the local exchange.
A hosted phone system is especially appealing to companies communicating with international customers. It is much cheaper to make international calls using IP telephony in comparison to a PSTN line. A hosted phone system offers a flat-rate monthly fee. This means there are no surprises on your phone bill.
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Can I still make international calls?
Yes. International VoIP calls are much cheaper in comparison to PSTN lines. Many companies are switching to VoIP because it is much cheaper to make international calls.
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What broadband speed do I need for VoIP?
The minimum VoIP internet speed requirement is 90-100 kbps (kilobit per second) per phone. This must be multiplied by each further handset you wish to use at the same time.
You can read more about the required broadband speed here.