Small Businesses, the big digital switchover is coming. Discover how BT Business can help you use this opportunity to future-proof your operations today.
Is your small business ready? The deadline for digital switchover is coming
The deadline for dead lines is coming. Very soon, every phone line in the UK will move to a fully digital network as the UK’s traditional phone network (PSTN) is being switched off. But there’s no need to panic - the move to digital is a chance to future-proof your small business.
The deadline for dead lines is coming. Very soon, every phone line in the UK will move to a fully digital network as the UK’s traditional phone network (PSTN) is being switched off. But there’s no need to panic - the move to digital is a chance to future-proof your small business.
What is the digital switchover and how will it impact my small business?
The digital switchover is fast approaching, and it’s important to make sure your small business is ready. Think of it like when the UK’s TVs moved from analogue to digital.
The UK’s traditional phone network is coming to the end of its life. It’s costly to maintain, increasingly unreliable, and no longer fit for the needs of modern businesses. That’s why every phone line will soon move to a fully digital network, where calls and data run over an internet connection.
To stay in control of when and how you switch, BT is urging businesses to move to digital before the end of 2025. Similar changes are already underway across Europe — with Germany in progress and the Netherlands already complete. Don’t leave it too late: switching now puts you ahead of the deadline and keeps your business future-ready.
Digital switchover for small businesses
The switchover isn’t just changing the way we make phone calls, it’s a digital revolution with a wide-ranging impact. Many traditional broadband services rely on the old technology, so the move to IP means you may also need to upgrade your business broadband to a new fibre access, like FTTP.
The following items may also run off the old technology:
Card payment machines.
CCTV.
Lift alarms.
Fax machines.
You’ll need to check with your other providers that these services will still work after the switch to digital.
Why switching to digital will benefit your small business
Up to 10x faster broadband speeds
IP technology transmits more data at faster speeds, eliminating buffering or interruptions when you have multiple devices connected.
Cost savings
Get more for less with the opportunity to consolidate providers.
Improved reliability
With newer digital technology, you’ll see stable broadband speeds with full fibre connection and five times fewer faults.
Superior call quality
Digital lines offer a clearer, more consistent sound quality compared to the traditional network.
Future-proofing
Set your business up for the future with products that are easy to scale up as your business grows.
Greater flexibility
Once you’re fully digital, you can run your business seamlessly from anywhere.
Case studies
How are small businesses benefiting from the switchover?
Watch the videos below to see how BT has helped small businesses become fully digital and thrive.
John Hilton Estate Agents - Switching to IP Solutions
With BT’s Cloud Voice IP technology, John Hilton Estate Agents are able to work more reliably from anywhere while using the same telephone number. The digital switchover has helped them to open up another office.
Future Proofing Small Businesses
York Supplies is a hardware store that BT helped switch to IP and experienced better connectivity and bandwidth. The switchover has also allowed them to grow as a business by opening up more digital opportunities.
Being Well Pharmacy – starting a business on a digital network
With IP technology from BT, Being Well Pharmacy has future-proofed their business. The security system, internet and phone line all being condensed into a simple digital solution allows them to focus on their core mission- helping people be healthy.
Why make the digital switchover with BT?
Comprehensive coverage
We’ve got more geographic coverage than any other network with 99.9% availability. You can work from anywhere, with better call quality and fewer dropped calls.
Proven expertise
We have the largest and most extensive fixed network, and we’re investing £12 billion to bring full-fibre broadband to millions of premises. We also have the leading 4G network and we’re rapidly expanding our leadership in 5G.
Scalable solutions
We have IP products for businesses of every size that can be easily scaled up as your business grows, with minimal fuss or hardware changes.
Enhanced security
We offer increased security against fraudulent callers, with products that allow you to block scammers and operate safely.
Jargon buster
PSTN
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the legacy copper network which the UK has traditionally run on, which is now reaching the end of its life.
IP
Internet Protocol (IP) is a digital solution that transmits voice calls and data using an internet connection.
FTTP
Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) uses fibre optic cables which connect your business premises directly to the internet exchange, removing copper cables from the delivery process. This technology is more reliable, giving you faster speeds and a more stable internet connection.
PSTN
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the legacy copper network which the UK has traditionally run on, which is now reaching the end of its life.
IP
Internet Protocol (IP) is a digital solution that transmits voice calls and data using an internet connection.
FTTP
Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) uses fibre optic cables which connect your business premises directly to the internet exchange, removing copper cables from the delivery process. This technology is more reliable, giving you faster speeds and a more stable internet connection.
