I am writing today to share a news update reminding all business line users who are still on the PSTN, that there is now less than 6 months before switch-off at the end of January 2027. Today as I write to you, there are just six months left before the UK's old phone network is switched off
Many of you have been on this journey with me for some time and I wanted to thank you for all of your support, in what is a once in a generation Telecommunications Network change.
There are huge benefits to migrating to a fibre-based network, but we are also well aware of the many challenges that have had to be met.
The message is really to keep on checking that you don’t have any PSTN lines that have slipped through the net and make sure you have everything in place with your Communications Provider for a safe and successful migration on any remaining PSTN lines.
We started this journey in 2018 with some 16m lines to migrate and we are now down to the last 1.5m, which is still going to need a big push to get us over the line.
You will also be aware that Openreach is launching their Emergency Voice product at the end of January next year, to give a safety net for lines that are still connected, but this is for voice only and its availability will be dependant on BTs capacity at that exchange, so is not guaranteed.
The Openreach Digital Services Test Lab continues to offer test facilities on fibre based technology to hardware providers on 6 Communications Providers equipment (SKY, TalkTalk, BT Consumer, BT Business, Zen and Vodafone) to help you make informed decisions when migrating devices in the premises to digital lines. https://www.openreach.co.uk/cpportal/products/the-all-ip-programme/digital-services-test-lab
If you need any further support in the way of information, please let me know, otherwise, your Communications Provider will support you and help you migrate your final PSTN lines Businesses and Services
John Livermore
Industry Engagement Manager All-IP and Exchange Exit