PSTN & ISDN Switch off

What’s happening?

In 2015 BT announced the PSTN and ISDN switch off – moving the UK to a full IP network by 2025.

Although the timeframe given seemed to be a way off at the time, it’s been a phased approach with many exchanges soon to be operating as IP only and many services being moved to ‘stop sell’ status, meaning that they are no longer available for new provision.

Businesses and consumers who still utilise traditional analogue and digital services will need to move to IP solutions when their local exchange is enabled. Moving to data only connectivity means that the voice aspect of customers’ communications needs to be considered and applied separately, as there are no ‘voice only’ substitutes.

Here’s everything you need to know

What connection types are being phased out?

Analogue and digital voice and copper based broadband services – PSTN, ISDN 2, ISDN 30, LLU, SMPF, SLU SMPF, NBLS and Classic services.

What other services will be affected?

Not only the physical connections need to be considered, but what are they currently being used for apart from voice calls and providing broadband? The following are examples of consumer and business critical services that will also be affected:

Fax lines
Fire and security alarms
CCTV
Redcare
Payphones
Lift emergency lines
EPOS systems
Door entry
Panic alarms

What does stop sell mean?

Stop sell means the new provision of any of the aforementioned services that are being phased out.

Customers will still be able to use these products after their exchange has moved to stop sell, however there will be restrictions to these existing services such as:

Start of stopped lines
Addition of lines and channels to existing installations
Change of address
Migrations and CP transfers
Working Line Take overs
Bandwidth Modify and Addition of Broadband to copper voice lines etc.

When is it happening?*

It’s already started.

Two trial exchanges – Salisbury exchange stopped providing PSTN and ISDN in December 2020 and Mildenhall in May 21
29th June 2021 – 13 exchanges moved to stop sell status
13th October 2021 – 120 exchanges moved to stop sell
25th January 2022 – 47 exchanges moved to stop sell
29th April 2022 – 69 exchanges moved to stop sell
2nd August 2022 – 67 exchanges moved to stop sell
1st November 2022 – 51 exchanges moved to stop sell
8th February 2023 – 48 exchanges moved to stop sell
9th May 2023 – 82 exchanges move to stop sell
8th August 2023 – 68 exchanges move to stop sell
1st November 2023 – 33 exchanges move to stop sell
16th February 2024 – 51 exchanges move to stop sell
TBA – 64 exchanges move to stop sell
September 2023 – UK WLR stop sell (WLR withdrawal) – All exchanges

*Data correct as of April 2023

Please find timeline of all planned exchanges moving to stop sell here.

What solutions do customers need to move to?

There are 2 main options. Customers’ services need to be migrated to either SoGEA or Fibre to the Premise (FTTP). HTM can provide both these solutions now, as well as the voice capability many customers will require.

What is SoGEA?

SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access) is a stand alone service that does not require a separate phone line. Simple ordering, quick to install and offers speeds of up to 80Mb, SoGEA truly future-proofs customers’ connectivity.

Current UK footprint is 97% (as of January 2023).

What is FTTP?

Fibre to the Premise or ‘full fibre’ is where a fibre only connection connects direct from the exchange to the business or residential premise, delivering high speed internet access, with download options of 40Mb – 1Gb.

Currently available to 10 million UK businesses, homes and public services (March 2023) with a 28.2% take up rate.

2025 Switch-off Checklist

Understand when your company is able to migrate to SoGEA or FTTP. Don’t wait until the exchange moves to stop sell status. Check availability with us now – remember SoGEA has over 96% UK coverage so the time could be now! Openreach WLR price increases is also a key factor for making the move now.
Do a full inventory of current lines and what they are used for. Find out how existing services like alarms etc will be supported on IP connections.
What are your voice requirements? As SoGEA and FTTP are data only connections a hosted voice application will be needed – Ask us about our connectivity and hosted voice bundles.
Look at hardware and device requirements. Do you still need as many handsets as when using PSTN/ISDN or could you move to desktop and mobile applications for calls?
How many sites and people are there, do you need like for like infrastructure after the pandemic? How has your working environment changed? Do you encourage flexible / home working?
Back-up – if you need extra backup, consider 4G/5G SIM solutions to deploy easily and kick in should IP connections incur a fault. Contact us about our 5G options. Just use the form below.

Are you ready for the switch-off? We can help!

Ensure your properties are ready for the PSTN/ISDN Switch-off.

If you are not sure what to do, we can help. Our team of experts can visit your hotels and advise on the actions to take.

We can also provide your properties with new lines, services and support, so your business doesn’t suffer any setbacks and you don’t have to face any challenges related to the switch-off.