The Big Switchover | Best Utility

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The Big Telecoms Switchover

Moving From Analogue To Digital By 2026

The old technology that powers landline telephones in the UK will be switched off in 2025. Landline operators in the UK will switch every home phone in the UK to an internet-based connection instead of a traditional copper-wire landline which will be much faster and efficient. With work already underway, this change will affect homes and businesses throughout the UK.

What is it?

On December 31st 2025, the UK’s telephony network will have been transformed from the standard copper wire solution (PTSN) that has been in place for over 100 years and move to a fully digital (All Internet Protocol) solution.

When will it begin?

It already has! BT have already started to refuse installation of the traditional analogue (copper wire) telephone lines for businesses and some residential areas. In October 2023, BT will stop installing these lines completely. This is known as ‘Stop Sell’.

Who will this affect, and will our current equipment work?

All of us. If you have a telephone line into your business, your phone will no longer plug into a socket on your wall but into the back of your router. By January 1st 2026, all telephone calls will be made over the internet. If you have other systems connected to your phone line, like alarms, telecare systems, CCTV, or even some half-hourly electricity meters, then they’ll stop working too.

Simply put, your business must go digital.

Openreach, the BT Group company that looks after all UK phone and broadband lines, is on schedule to complete the switch on time. But it might be a good idea to start thinking about switching to digital as soon as possible. If you’re one of the 62% of business owners still using a landline in 2023, Best Utility Solutions can provide the very best tariffs and digital deals, including Internet and VoIP.

Although the official date of the digital switchover is the end of 2025, the test rollout has already begun and many businesses have switched to VoIP. A study from Snom, pioneers in IP phone technology, found that the UK is switching to VoIP at a faster rate than other European countries.

We can help you make the switch to superfast business broadband and a VoIP telephone line to help future-proof your business and maybe even get ahead of the competition.

VoIP phone services come with loads more features than current landline tech, so switching now could make a difference to how you do business.

What is VoIP?

Although the acronym may sound confusing, VoIP or ‘Voice Over Internet Protocol’ just means voice calls can be made via the internet rather than using a wire like the current system.

A lot of phone users already use VoIP systems without even realising it. For example, the most popular examples of VoIP are Skype and WhatsApp. Often VoIP options are good for businesses as calls and messaging costs less than regular calling or texting.

What steps should businesses take to prepare for the digital switchover?

If you’re currently using systems linked to the analogue phone network — it’s best to start the transition now, to make sure your business is ready in time. A good start is to conduct a Digital Assessment of your business. What parts are digital? What parts need to be digital, like equipment and payment terminals. Then, simply give Best Utility Solutions a call and we can help with the business assessment and provide a future-proof digital setup for your telecommunications.