The BT switch-off: the big questions

BT will soon switch off the old analogue network of copper wires. That’s a big change, that many businesses will have to adapt to, yet many still don’t fully understand their options or the benefits. Here are the five questions that we are most frequently asked.  

What is the BT switch-off? 

BT have started phasing out two old networks: Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) and ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network).  

The PSTN is made of copper wires that can carry phone calls and send faxes. It’s fundamentally the same technology that was used when the telephone was invented in the 19th century. 

The ISDN network also runs on copper wires, and can carry voice, video, data and so on. But it’s also now out-of-date: its maximum speed is 128kbps. Twenty years ago that was the best you could get, but these days much faster technologies are widely available and no-one wants to wait ten minutes to download a hi-res image file.  

What devices and systems will be affected?  

The most widely significant thing is that old-style phone systems that use the PTSN network will no longer work. But many other types of devices use the ISDN network, and they will be affected to. Such as:  

• Alarm systems 
• ATM machines 
• Franking machines 
• Fax machines 
• Printers 
• Dial-up POS (card payment machines) 

When will the BT switch-off happen? 

It’s already happening: the old networks have been closed down in two trial areas in England. And from September 2023, BT will no longer sell products or services related to the analogue networks. So if you use an older phone system you won’t be able to add new lines to it. Starting in April 2025, the old networks will be closed down in more areas, and in December 2025 that process will be complete. Adios, analogue!  

I have an older phone system. What should I do? 

There are various options, but the simple answer is: change to a system that sends voice calls over the internet, a technology known as Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP.  

This actually brings a lot of benefits, so for many people it would be the right thing to do even if the switch-off wasn’t happening. Some of the main benefits of VoIP include:  

• It saves money – because you don’t need to pay for dedicated phone lines. 
• It enables flexible working – modern phone systems have lots of useful extra features. People can make and receive calls from anywhere showing the business’s main phone number, which makes remote working much easier.  
• Good security – your voice calls are part of your IT network, so they are as secure as the network is. 
• It’s easily scalable – VoIP systems are charged per user, and are easy to adapt when your needs change. 

Will changing over to a new phone system be complicated? 

Not if you let the experts take care of it. With our partners, we’ll handle installation and setup, along with ongoing management. You’ll be up and running quickly and with minimal effort on your side. 

And you won’t have to change your number (although you can if you want to).  

The BT switch-off is a big deal, but it doesn’t have to be a big problem. If you’d like to find out more about what it means for you, and your options, just get in touch. We’re at hello@silvercloud.co.uk and 0141 552 0000.