CYB3R Switch Off

In 2025, the UK's ISDN and PSTN network will be shut down, and traditional landlines will be replaced by cloud based alternatives.

However, it's important to note that some services may be retired earlier than 2025. Openreach is currently working to transition ISDN and PSTN exchanges to the "Stop Sell" phase, during which no changes or upgrades can be made to existing services. This phase renders services static, and all analogue exchanges are expected to reach this phase by 2023. The subsequent phase is the "End of Life" phase, during which services will cease to function. By 2025, all exchanges will have reached their "End of Life," and any users still relying on these networks will experience a disruption in their phone or broadband services.

For many years, the ISDN and PSTN served as the UK's primary communication networks. However, these infrastructures, once groundbreaking, are now significantly outdated and depend on deteriorating copper telephone lines that are no longer capable of keeping up with more advanced cloud based solutions.

To pave the way for a fully digital future, Openreach has announced the Switch Off initiative. As part of this effort, any phone lines, broadband connections, fax, alarm, and lift lines that are linked to the End of Life networks will be retired.

Businesses need to take action in response to the Switch Off initiative. It's important not to panic and immediately replace your current system.