‘Tis the season for office parties, secret Santa and, generally speaking, things winding down as the year draws to a close. But there’s one item businesses should be adding to their end-of-year agenda.

We’re two years away from the public switched telephone network (PSTN) switch-off. On December 31, 2025, BT will be shutting down traditional landline phone services as the world transitions to modern digital communication technologies. This transition is happening in many countries around the world and is driven by several factors, including the ageing infrastructure of the PSTN. But 2025 is years away, right? While it may feel like you have a lot of time left to make the switch, there are many reasons why it’s best to get it sorted sooner.

What’s the rush?

The end of 2025 isn’t any time soon, and you’re bound to have a list of business goals you’d like to achieve between now and then. However, there are several reasons why not delaying the switchover is important.

First, we’re in a PSTN stop-sell. As of September 2023, you cannot purchase any products that rely on the PSTN, even though your current ones will still work until December 2025. So, if your tech is already feeling a little tired, it makes sense to switch over now.

There are many other benefits to switching sooner. Waiting until the last minute may give your more digitally-savvy competitors the advantage, who could be reaping the benefits of technologies like fibre to the premise (FTTP) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) long before you. As your customers also prepare for the switch-off, you don’t want to be that business still relying on ageing technology.

It's not just about phonelines. There are multiple pieces of tech relying on analogue lines, including fax systems, alarms with phone system connectivity, PBX services, payment lines and security systems. Depending on your business you might have multiple upgrades to make, so it’s best to get ahead.

Switchover steps

To facilitate a successful switchover, businesses should follow five steps. First, an assessment of the existing infrastructure, including the number of active lines, equipment and associated services, should be conducted. Businesses should identify any potential challenges, such as migrating legacy systems.

Next, it’s vital to inform and educate. Team members should be made aware the switch off is happening and receive a timeline for the switchover. For businesses still completely relying on PSTN services, switching may feel like a big technological leap. Therefore, it’s crucial time is made for training and to allow employees to adapt to new technologies.

When choosing which product to replace PSTN services, there are a few options on the market. Voice of Internet Protocol (VoIP) or other IP-based systems will be a popular choice, and there are many providers to choose. It’s best, therefore, to consult with a trusted provider to aid a seamless transition. As a trusted provider of VoIP systems, including Vodafone Business UC with RingCentral and NFON Cloudya, Crystaline is on hand to navigate businesses through the PSTN switch-off and recommend the best alternatives for your needs.

Once a business has made its selection, it will need to leave time for thorough testing to address any issues before deployment. This is why not switching over until the last minute is key. You’ll want to test the compatibility of the new system with existing services, and make sure the tech you’re choosing meets all your business needs.

Finally, the time will come to shut down the PSTN. Gradually phasing out the service, rather than suddenly switching off, will be easier to manage. You’ll want to monitor your switch-off period closely, preferably with the help of your VoIP provider, to make sure nothing is left behind. Don’t forget about anything that’s not a phoneline, like your security and alarm systems, too.

As we wrap up 2023 and look to the year ahead, the PSTN switch-off must make it to your 2024 business calendar. While waiting until 2025 can be tempting, it’s far more beneficial to switch sooner. Wait too late, and your business will get left behind.