BT has extended the PSTN switch-off: What this means for you

Recently, we wrote about the UK’s forthcoming PSTN switch-off, which is set to move us all away from traditional telephony and toward VoIP. However, as fate would have it, BT has recently announced a huge change to the big switch-off – in that it’ll actually take place much later than expected!

When will the PSTN switch-off take place?

As of May 2024, BT Group revealed that it would be shutting down traditional, PSTN phone lines by the end of 2027. That’s two years later than originally planned – we recently revealed the switch-off would be taking place in December 2025.

That means we all have an extra two years to get ready for the big shift – more time for businesses to start setting up VoIP contracts and changing phone hardware, for example, so they’re ready to move across without extensive downtime.

If you’ve already been smart about VoIP and have made plans already, congratulations – you’re way ahead of the game! If not, don’t worry – keep reading.

Why is BT delaying the PSTN switch-over?

BT Group is reportedly delaying the PSTN switch-off to ensure it can continue to roll consumers and businesses over to digital voice safely. There have been some concerns regarding how quickly the process was moving ahead, and as such, the rollout will be slowing down to give people more time to adjust to the new standards.

“Managing customer migrations from analog to digital as quickly and smoothly as possible, while making the necessary provisions for those customers with additional needs, including telecare users, is critically important,” said Howard Watson in his capacity as BT Group’s Chief Security and Networks Officer.

Ultimately, the big change will affect home customers and business users – which means BT needs to tread carefully to ensure everyone can safely transfer without any major disruption.

That said, the rollout of digital voice has already been a roaring success in many ways. For example, BT is no longer selling copper line services – and it’s thought that Openreach has helped to move more than 14 million premises away from traditional copper onto digital voice, or VoIP.

The delay is being referred to by some as a “revision” to BT’s original schedule, with the telephony giant continuing to extoll the virtues of switching over to digital voice.

Business owners, in fact, don’t feel that BT has done enough so far to publicise the switch-over. It’s thought that more than half of UK enterprise owners feel the firm could be doing more to make the switch-off clearer.

What does delaying the PSTN switch-off mean for UK businesses?

If anything, moving the switch-off from 2025 to 2027 is a good thing. It means that any business owners yet to fully look into switching over to VoIP now have an extra two years to get everything ready to go.

The switch-over was first announced back in 2017, meaning it will be around a decade since the big digital move was revealed to the masses. However, it’s been slow going for many people who have yet to get everything in place.

The delay to 2027 doesn’t mean, sadly, that businesses can rest on their laurels. If anything, the news should light fires underneath those who are still wondering whether or not it’s worth making the digital leap across to VoIP.

BT will be boosting its messaging regarding VoIP and PSTN getting switched off in the months to come. However, now really is a good time for you to do some research if the idea of moving over to VoIP is just showing up on your radar.

Is it still worth moving to VoIP early?

With the PSTN deadline moved, it’s probably tempting to want to delay switching telecoms over for fear of the disruption it might cause. However, the fact is – you will face more disruption and potential downtime by leaving switching over to the last minute.

Leaving your move from PSTN to VoIP to the end of 2027 means you risk leaving customers without points of contact for you. It also means you might end up rushing into digital services with a provider without taking the time to research the market properly.

At VoIPer, we make sure our packages and rates are competitive with the biggest landline providers – specifically tailoring digital voice to businesses who are concerned about moving across smoothly and cost-effectively.

What’s more, we help our clients move across to VoIP with minimal disruption. We know how devastating downtime can be for successful firms! Therefore, we encourage you – if you haven’t already – to start moving away from PSTN through our services as soon as physically possible.

It really doesn’t have to be a major undertaking. Moving from PSTN to VoIP is as simple as making a few calls to the right people – that’s us – and we’ll help you keep your numbers.

It’s worth moving to VoIP now so that you’re not left behind the pack at the worst possible time. Millions of people are now using digital voice – meaning they’re taking advantage of crystal-clear calling with none of the issues of copper lines and traditional phones.

Before you do, always make sure you have the right equipment in place to make and take digital calls from the office – we have more than a few phone systems you can easily slide into your existing setup.

Don’t leave VoIP till the last minute

Yes – BT moving the PSTN switch to 2027 is a bit of a reprieve, especially for business owners. However, that’s no excuse to push moving to digital further down the road.

Sign up for a flexible, cost-effective digital voice plan with VoIPer and see what all the fuss is about – early. Don’t be like other businesses that are risking downtime and disruption by burying their heads in the sand.

Take a good look at what VoIPer offers in digital voice packages for businesses now, and let us know if there’s anything we can do to make things easier for you!