What Is The 2025 ISDN Analogue Switch Off?

What is the 2025 ISDN analogue switch off? 

In 2015 BT announced they will be switching off their ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) and PSTN (The Public Switched Telephone Network) services completely in 2025, which are essentially copper based lines which have become too costly to maintain. This will result in traditional landline connections ceasing and voice calls in the future needing to be made over IP. 

Businesses will need to ensure they have a suitable broadband and telephony service in place and activated prior to this date, and in some instances, before, as certain areas will be switched off imminently. 

What is replacing this and the benefits of switching. 

All ISDN lines will be replaced by digital phone lines which route calls using IP technology, this is due to traditional ISDN line technologies no longer being capable of meeting current increasing demands. 

While 2025 may seem a long way off, businesses won’t be able to operate any ISDN or PSTN-based services shortly and will need to find a new solution. The most popular alternative being telephone services delivered over the internet (VoIP), which can be extremely cost effective, with businesses making average yearly savings of £456. Internet phone systems can save you money as there will be no more line rental, and no maintenance or infrastructure costs. 

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a telephony system that allows you to make voice calls using an Internet connection instead of a regular phone line by converting your voice into a digital signal that travels over the Internet.  

If you haven’t already, you will also need to upgrade your broadband connection to a fibre line, either a leased line, FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) or to SoGEA (Single order Generic Ethernet Access) which has superseded fibre to the cabinet.  

Fibre broadband is an internet connection that offers a faster, more scalable and more reliable internet connection which uses plastic or glass cables instead of copper wire. 

What implications does this have for you and your business. 

The main issue and ramification of the switch-off is businesses complete loss of phone communication. If companies are not prepared and haven’t got a strategy or plan-of-action in place before the 2025 switch off date, there is a high probability that when they look to upgrade, they will have to wait longer than expected for an installation date due to demand, meaning they will not have a telephone system in place until they upgrade their service, costing businesses customers and revenue. 

It is also extremely important to remember that a number of intruder and lift alarms, EPOS machines, door entry systems, CCTV, fax machines also use the ISDN / PSTN network and will be affected by the ISDN switch off. It is paramount that you contact your internet service provider if you are concerned that your security systems may be affected. 

If you decide to wait until the switch off date before you look to upgrade, you may notice a drop in call quality as ISDN services start to decline, this is due to a decrease in ISDN engineers and parts availability to fix issues. As of 2020, ISDN customers also cannot add new lines or amend their current service, so your services will become more and more limited the closer 2025 gets. 

Is your business ready? – find out how your business should prepare for this momentous change. 

ISDN orders are no longer being accepted, so if you are a new start-up business or wanting to change service, you needn’t be concerned that you have been sold the wrong solution. 

It is vital to clarify which of your services are ISDN or PSTN, so you can plan for the switch off, whether this be your internet connection, phone or security systems. If you have a standard phone line, you will need to arrange another form of telephony systems, such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to continue making and receiving calls from your office number. If you’re transferring your existing phone line, be sure to check whether it supports VoIP and confirm that your current internal infrastructure is strong enough to enable high quality calls. 

Discuss with your provider which broadband services are available in your area, so you can make an informed decision regarding the connection you upgrade to. 

If you are unsure what is involved in upgrading to a VoIP system, discuss the platform with your ISP, who will give you an overview of the system and can explain all the functions and additional features VoIP provides to your business, including call quality and scalability. 

Talk to your broadband provider to discuss solutions, or contact our Orbital Net team, and we will be able to arrange a free consultation to discuss your internet and phone setup. We can be contacted on 0330 324 4444 or solutions@orbital.net. Further details can be found on our website www.orbital.net