There’s a big shakeup set to occur across the UK’s telephony networks in the next couple of years – it’s the digital switchover, which will effectively bring an end to traditional copper line telephony, and instead move us all over to data-based voice calls.
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, has long been the most efficient way to keep your business connected to your customers. However, BT is set to ensure all British firms make the leap sooner rather than later.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about the big 2027 switchoff, and what it means for your business in the meantime.
What is the big switchoff?
BT will be moving its traditional PSTN and ISDN connectivity out of service by 2027. That means we only have limited time before all homes and businesses will need to move over to VoIP.
Essentially, PSTN and ISDN are no longer fit for purpose. The growth of the internet and 24/7 business culture means we all need a faster, more reliable way to keep in touch.
That means, crucially, that any businesses left connected to these legacy systems will be at a loss by 2027 – they’ll need to move to VoIP to keep things running.
Trust us – there are already plenty of big benefits to moving to VoIP. However, there is now a deadline, meaning those businesses that don’t move over in the next two years will need to move fast to avoid losing income.
Wasn’t the big switchoff supposed to happen in 2025?
Yes – that, at least, was BT’s original plan! To give people a little more time to adapt to the major changes ahead, PSTN’s switchoff has now instead been moved to 2027, giving businesses an extra two years to find a reputable VoIP provider.
And why wouldn’t they? Traditional telephony has served us well for decades, however, it’s simply not moved swiftly with the times! VoIP offers users more flexibility, better quality calls, and much less hassle when it comes to setup and potential breakdown.
It’s a service Planet Telecom has extolled the virtues of for years – there’s no more reliable, efficient way to stay connected to clients and customers.
But, just because the switchoff has moved to 2027 doesn’t mean you have to leave it to the last minute.
What are the big reasons behind BT switching off PSTN?
BT moving us all to VoIP isn’t just because PSTN and ISDN are old. It’s because there’s been a raft of new communications apps and technologies launched in the past few years that have dramatically evolved beyond our infrastructure’s remit.
After all, PSTN telephony and cables were only ever designed to work with traditional telephones! They didn’t even account for digital phones and fax machines – how were they ever going to cope with the likes of Zoom and Teams?
BT thankfully took a look at the massive comms tech evolution of the past decade or so and decided to force our collective hands – it’s a good thing!
Why should I move to VoIP before 2027?
As mentioned, although 2027 is the deadline for the switchoff, that’s a guideline, not a goal! As easy as it might be to roll VoIP out across your organisation, doing so only a few days before the end of 2026 could spell disaster.
Think carefully about the preparations you need to make for your existing setup. For example, are your phones and other devices VoIP ready? Do you have VoIP friendly programs ready to go, or will you benefit from a complete fit-out?
Ultimately, moving to VoIP before 2027 ensures there’s no major loss of business during the switch. If you leave it to the last minute, you risk leaving clients and customers high and dry – because you won’t have PSTN to fall back on.
That means, for the start of 2027, you could be left adrift without any kind of connection to your public. Several days worth of business could mean losing thousands of pounds – is that something you can afford to let go?
Probably not – so you’ll actually be saving money by making the leap sooner rather than later – and Planet Telecom will help you make the move quick, easy, and affordable.
How do I start planning ahead for the switchoff?
The best way to start planning ahead for the switchoff is to find a reliable VoIP provider – one with a solid track record, a range of features and service options, and who can make sure you’re ready to go with a scalable communications solution.
It’s also a good idea to start making sure you have hardware and software you can use to smoothly switch over to VoIP. Remember, not all phones and devices will work with VoIP – which means it’s worth budgeting ahead of time to make sure you’re fully equipped.
It’s also worth looking at overall risk factors to your business when actually switching over. Can you effectively account for any potential loss of revenue? With a reliable VoIP installer and provider, you can be sure downtime is kept to a minimum – but it’s always a good idea to make sure you have a risk plan in place just in case.
Planet Telecom offers a range of superfast VoIP solutions that we can tailor to your business’s needs. We’re helping companies of all sizes up and down the UK to move away from PSTN. It doesn’t have to be a difficult undertaking – in a matter of days, you’ll be up and running with a fantastic, superfast communications solution you can rely on.
Take it from us – you don’t want to leave switching over until the absolute last minute. Speak to our team, and we’ll help you make that all-important move sooner rather than later, and ensure your business doesn’t suffer from unnecessary and costly downtime.
Are you ready for the PSTN switchoff? If not, now’s the time to reach out to someone who can help!
