Amillan

BT Openreach has announced it intends to switch off the traditional, copper-based telephone network in 2025. This is commonly referred to as the PSTN Switch Off.

If your business is still using landline telephones and fax machines, the switch off will dramatically impact your operations. You’ll need to plan for how this situation will change how your staff communicates with clients, customers, partners and vendors and how you’ll cope with that change.

While 2025 may seem a while away, from December 2023 you won’t be able to purchase any new ISDN or PSTN-based services, with many locations affected by a stop sell much sooner than that. At Amillan we are seeing an increasing number of customers being affected by being unable to purchase new ISDN lines or add new features at certain exchanges which have already implemented the stop sell.

Phase Out Timeline

Now Phase Out Begins	December 2022 Salisbury End of Life	September 2023 UK-wide Stop Sell	December 2025 UK PSTN End of Life
In preparation for the roll out customers across 170 locations cannot purchase new ISDN lines or add new features from end 2021.	The PSTN network is completely switched off in Salisbury.	Customers across the whole country cannot purchase new ISDN lines or add new features.	The PSTN network is completely switched off across the UK.

What does this mean for my business?

The PSTN Switch Off will affect all businesses currently operating using PSTN and ISDN services. If you fall into this category, you will need to plan to move to the new VOIP network to keep your business phone system and your number working.

The migration may also impact legacy services like fax machines, security, lift and fire alarms, telecare devices, retail payment (PDQ) terminals and equipment for monitoring and controlling networks. These rely on some features of the PSTN that are not fully replicated in VoIP-based platforms and may require further upgrades to ensure they continue to operate following the switch off.

Customers using PSTN and ISDN services must take action

Amillan will be happy to assist customers in planning for and navigating the ISDN switch off. Please contact us and we will be happy to provide further information on how your organisation will be affected and what steps you need to take to ensure continued connectivity after the switch off.

We can offer a range of options including system upgrades for affected legacy services, migration to SIP and VOIP platforms or transitions to modern cloud-hosted platforms.

Please do not hesitate to contact your Account Manager or our Amilan Service Centre team on 0121 704 5840, who will be more than happy to assist.