I still don’t know, help!
If you're not sure how to check whether your internet and phone systems are PSTN-based, don't worry!
All you need to do is give our team a call and we'll find out for you.
Will you be affected by the 2025 Landline ‘Switch Off’?
What is the 2025 Switch off?
The PSTN phone network is due to be switched off in 2025. That's important for your business because it's likely that your phone lines still run on that network.
In fact, a survey from last summer found that 88% of businesses still relied on PSTN, despite the announcement of 2025 Switch Off back in 2019!
UPDATE: BT recently announced that the deadline for the Switch Off will be pushed back to 2027. While this gives you longer to future-proof your business, we'd still recommend upgrading your systems now - keep on reading to discover why!
What is the timeline?
You may have already noticed that new PSTN lines cannot be added to your current system. That's because a nationwide 'Stop Sell' of PSTN services was initiated in September 2023, which was the last step before the final deactivation that had previously been planned for December 2025.
However, on May 16th 2024, BT mentioned in its financial reports that it was now expecting to “have migrated all customers off the PSTN by the end of January 2027”, instead.
Here’s what you need to know!
The PSTN is being deactivated because maintaining the ageing phone network is just too expensive.
Thankfully, new internet-based calling technologies, such as VoIP Unified Communication and CCaaS, provide a much better experience and far better value for money!
The copper PSTN network is also used for low-bandwidth internet connectivity and periphery services like CCTV cameras and lone worker alarms.
The more environmentally friendly, high-bandwidth Full Fibre network (also known as FTTP or Fibre to the Premises) is an ideal upgrade for these scenarios, providing the scalability to increase speeds as the business' demands grow.
How will it affect my business?
The good news is that your business has plenty of options that are much better value than PSTN-based voice and internet services, offering far more features for a similar price.
For example, a low-cost VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solution, like Virtual Landline Office, offers a much wider range of features for potentially less than you were paying for your current calling solution.
You can significantly upgrade your internet service too, by switching to Full Fibre which delivers speeds up to 1Gbps. That's 1,000 Mbps, which is up to 67x the speeds of a PSTN copper internet connection!
Here’s what you need to do!
Between now and 31st January 2027, you'll need to upgrade your existing PSTN-based services and train your team on how to get the most from the new systems you put in place.
What do I need to do to prepare?
The first step is knowing whether your business has any PSTN-based services. Audit all your systems, and check your monthly bills to.
Then, you'll need to decide what services will replace them and get them deployed before the end of 2027.
Depending on how complex your business' communications and connectivity systems are, this could be a matter of days, weeks or months. So, don't hesitate to get in touch if you need some support in the meantime.
Yes, I need to prepare!
If you know your business is currently using PSTN-based services, we'd recommend you list out all of them and get in touch for us to advise you on the best way to future-proof them before the deadline gets any closer!
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What our customers say
Will you be ‘Switched Off’ in 2025?
That's when the national 'Landline' network will be permanently deactivated. So, you'll need a VoIP-based solution soon, or your lines will simply go silent!
Transitioning from a single business phone number to a fully integrated phone system was a significant step, and Virtual Landline made the process seamless. Their platform offers a robust set of features—call routing, voicemail-to-email, multi-user support, and more—that were clearly explained and easy to implement. The onboarding process was smooth, and within just a few days, we began seeing improved efficiency and communication across the team. For any business seeking a scalable, cloud-based phone solution, Virtual Landline is a solid choice.
Kieran handled our recent transition to the new Virtual Landline call management system. The migration process of our business VoIP was smooth, and the onboarding video call to explain the system’s features and benefits was clear and informative. For anyone considering Virtual Landline as their VOIP service provider, rest assured—you’re making a reliable choice.
Virtual Landline made the setup process refreshingly simple. Their range of plans offers excellent flexibility and affordability, making it easy to find the right fit for your needs. What really stands out is the scalability of the service—it's reassuring to know that as my business grows, Virtual Landline has the features and support in place to grow alongside it. A smart choice for any business looking for reliable VOIP solutions.
Great to speak to a UK based call centre on the phone, Dan couldn't have been more helpful and friendly! Everything was explained clearly, and the switch over to Virtual Landline from my old copper landline went really smoothly. It did exactly what it promised. Really happy with how easy it all was.