The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the backbone of the country’s telephone system, will be shut down will be shut down for business customers in December 2025
This analogue switch-off, also known as the PSTN switch-off, marks a momentous change in the telecommunications landscape. From there on, the telephone system will be fully digital.
But what does this mean for businesses in practical terms? And how do you prepare for the switch-off?
Read on and we’ll answer exactly that.
Understanding the PSTN
The PSTN is a network of copper phone lines that has been the foundation of the telephone system for decades. This analogue phone line network, revolutionary for its era, was initially designed primarily for voice communication.
Today, however, the public switched network struggles to keep up with the growing demand for high-speed internet and digital services, hence why it’ll be retired in favour of digital alternatives.
The Reason Behind the Switch-Off
By phasing out the analogue system, the government can make way for faster, more reliable digital services that can support modern networking. The copper system has been around for over a century and is complex and expensive to maintain.
Ofcom, the communications regulator, set the 2025 switch-off deadline to ease the transition to digital alternatives.
We’re not alone here – Estonia and the Netherlands already completed this switch, while Germany, France and Japan have their own plans similar to the UK.
Impact on Businesses
The analogue phone line switch-off will require businesses relying on PSTN-based services, such as ISDN lines, to transition to digital alternatives before the December 2025 deadline.
Failure to make this switch will result in losing phone service. Thus, organisations should start planning now to avoid downtime.
Luckily, though, modernising your system comes with many benefits unto itself, such as:
- Budget-friendly: With a cloud-hosted telephone system from Hive Communications, you pay for what you need monthly. This means no line rental or PBX maintenance costs, so you know exactly what you’ll pay for this service.
- Business continuity: Ensure remote working capabilities with apps that operate from laptops and smartphones. Hosted VoIP offers exceptional flexibility for a remote workforce.
- Feature-rich: When you opt for a cloud-hosted telephone system, you’ll get all the features you need to run a successful business, including call recording, reporting, and call queuing.
- Reliability: Should something happen that means you can no longer use your office, you can be confident that your employees can still access the company’s phone system, making it a very reliable option.
- Scalability: A cloud-hosted telephone system means you won’t need to pay for costly installations when your business grows. Just add new users as people join your workforce, and they’ll have instant access to the system and its features.
Hive Can Assist Your Business Through the Switch-Off
At Hive Communications, we’re here to guide you through the PSTN switch-off process.
Our team will work closely with you to understand your unique business needs and recommend the most suitable cloud-hosted telephone system.
So, don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for the December 2025 switch-off. Contact Hive Communications today and start exploring your options now.
