If you’re a business customer with a traditional phone line, we’re advising you to move over to a fully digital service by the end of December 2025 – well in advance of the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) being switched off by 31 January 2027.
As the switch off nears, the PSTN is becoming more fragile and prone to faults. This means if you do not move over, your services may no longer work.
Fully digital networks using Internet Protocol (IP) will replace traditional phone lines including the current PSTN, Featureline, Embark and ISDN networks that are used for calls and data services.
Does this affect my business?
Traditional phone lines aren't just for making voice calls. There are also various products and services called special services that use these lines. Here are some examples of special services:
- Lifts.
- Fire alarms.
- Monitoring and telemetry.
- Fax and franking machines.
- Security and burglar alarms.
- Telecare solutions, like alarms and pendants.
I use special services – what do I need to do?
You'll need to get in touch with your provider if you use any special services. Just let them know that we're transforming our phone services to be fully digital and they'll run you through what (if anything) you need to do to minimise any impact to your business.
I'm a provider of special services – do I need to do anything?
We'll work with you so you understand how these network changes will affect your existing products and services. We also have a digital services lab at Adastral Park near Ipswich, where you can come and test any analogue devices you have in your portfolio – for free.
To book into our test labs, email us and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.