Preparing for the 2027 PSTN switch-off

Preparing for the 2027 PSTN
switch-off

As the 2025 PSTN switch-off approaches, we consider how the shift will impact businesses across the UK, and how to select the right IP-based solution.Contents

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Now more than ever, organisations across the public and private sectors depend on seamless, secure, and high-quality communications. Even with an increasing range of channels having established themselves in recent years – including voice, email, video, and SMS – voice services remain a key part of how we communicate and collaborate.

However, as organisations depend on communication platforms that deliver the highest standard of performance and availability, 24/7, legacy voice technologies – particularly the PSTN and ISDN – are beginning to show their limitations. Internet Protocol (IP)-based voice services offer a number of advantages in this regard, which a range of organisations have already embraced, but many are still reluctant to migrate their legacy systems on account of the initial cost and potential disruption to day-to-day operations.

However, with a full switch-off of PSTN already in progress, to be concluded by the start of 2027, it is imperative that organisations are fully prepared, not only to maintain business-as-usual, but to take full advantage of the opportunities this change offers.

What is the PSTN switch-off?

In 2018, BT Openreach announced the long-term plan to transition the whole of the UK from PSTN to IP for all voice calls. To this end, as of September 2023, no new PSTN or ISDN lines will be deployed, in preparation for 2027, when the remaining ones would be permanently switched off. At the time of writing, a stop-sell has been placed on multiple voice products built on these services, meaning existing ones will initially remain in place, but new ones will be withdrawn from sale.

For organisations planning to transfer to new solutions before stop-sells are implemented in their active regions, it is important to be aware that not all services will necessarily be available. For example, in regions where the FTTP priority exchange is in place and FTTP is available at premise level, this is the only service that they will be able to utilise. Outside of these regions, other transitional solutions – such as SoGEA and SoADSL – may be available. All this must be factored into organisations’ migration plans.

Why are numerous organisations already embracing IP-based calling?

IP services allow voice calls to be made over a data network, eliminating the need for legacy telephony systems, as callers simply connect via broadband services (such as FTTP and SoGEA) or ethernet.

This will open up a whole new era of quality and resilience in the way voice services are delivered across the country, provided organisations are aware of the impending change and plan accordingly. This will involve working closely with a trusted connectivity partner to not only migrate to a new service, but ensure the solution chosen will provide the required performance, resilience, and scalability, while retaining cost control.

How Exponential-e can help

Exponential-e is already working closely with organisations across multiple sectors to prepare for the switch-off, providing them with a range of migration options that will not only ensure disruption is minimised, but open up new opportunities to reduce costs, while optimising resilience and service quality.

There are a range of ways these benefits can be unlocked, depending on where you, your teams, and your customers are active, the volume of calls you make every day, and whether you currently utilise copper wiring for other services. It is important to bear in mind that not every available solution will necessarily be the right fit for every organisation, but our teams are here to guide you.

Exponential-e’s portfolio of services – including, FTTP, SoGEA, and VoIP – was designed to be truly vendor-agnostic for precisely this reason. We work with multiple carriers to ensure our customers and their end users enjoy the best possible coverage across the entire UK. As with every aspect of our services, our approach is a consultative one, with our own experts working closely with customers’ teams to develop a robust migration plan to mitigate the impact of the switch-off and ensure a smooth transition to your ideal IP-based service.

Do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your voice and connectivity requirements and how the impending switch-off will affect you.