The BIG BT Switch off!

Are you ready for the PSTN switch off?

BT declared in 2015 their plan to shut down the PSTN and ISDN networks by 2025, which is regarded as the most significant transformation in the telecommunications sector in more than three decades. However, what are the implications for you? To aid you in getting ready for the approaching deadline, we provide answers to all of your pressing questions.

What is the PSTN and ISDN

Switch Off?

By December 2025, the aging PSTN that supports Openreach products like Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) and ISDN will be phased out. ISDN comes in two forms, with ISDN2 offering up to 8 channels in pairs, while ISDN30 is for larger businesses with up to 30 channels per service. Each ISDN channel only allows one call at a time. Traditional telephony, including fixed lines and PSTN services, will end at the same time.

Why is Openreach withdrawing the PSTN and ISDN network in December 2025?

 The PSTN supports traditional telephony over copper and fiber lines, but as broadband services improve, it has become mostly digital. This means most fixed-line users no longer need analog services, and traditional fixed lines Openreach prioritizes a reliable fiber network, making it harder to maintain their aging PSTN infrastructure and equipment.and calls will end.

Which other line and call services will be impacted by the 2025 switch off?

 The PSTN currently supports various products like WLR, ISDN2, and ISDN30, but providers often overlook connectivity products that rely on them, such as ADSL and FTTC broadband. With the WLR End of Life project, these broadband services will be affected because the underlying line product is being withdrawn, leaving no support for the broadband services.

Who will provide the PSTN replacement products

and services?

  Openreach was formed in 2006 to ensure equal and fair access to the UK's telephony network. Their WLR and ISDN products allowed communication providers to offer their own telephone services at a regulated price without having to maintain the network themselves. With the rise of VoIP technology, Openreach's focus has shifted to developing the fiber network, and they will no longer provide over-the-top VoIP lines for voice services.

Openreach's new products, the Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SOGEA) and the Single Order Transition Access Product (SOTAP), will replace traditional FTTC and ADSL broadband services. These products do not include voice services, so communication providers will need to offer some form of VoIP service like a Hosted PBX License or SIP Trunking to provide the voice telephony element. These Single Order (SO) broadband products can be purchased through providers such as Connected B2B and require investment in equipment.

When and how will Openreach start withdrawing PSTN services?

Openreach's strategy for the UK-wide withdrawal of WLR and ISDN telephony products is still undefined. However, they have started trialing the withdrawal process in two exchanges - Salisbury and Mildenhall. The Salisbury exchange, which is Openreach's Full Fibre Trial, is the first to see a formal notification of stop sell in September 2019, with a complete withdrawal of WLR and ISDN by December 2022. The Mildenhall Exchange will see the first Single Order (SO) trial begin around January 2020, and a complete withdrawal of services by December 2022, even if no fiber is available. Premises serviced by the Mildenhall Exchange will be replaced with SOGEA and SOTAP products, and communication providers will need to provide an over-the-top VoIP replacement service, such as a hosted PBX system license or SIP Trunking

Are new fibre products more expensive than WLR?

This is a concern many providers have raised, consumers can purchase a line for making and receiving calls for as little as £10 to £15, whereas a full Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) service can begin at £50 per month. Arguably, this is a significant increase for those just wanting voice on their lines. For customers who do just want voice on their lines and have no requirement for broadband then a low bandwidth variant is expected but there is little information that has been published about this to date.

What will happen to special line rental services like alarm lines and payment terminals after 2025?

During PSTN closure, special services like alarm lines, payment terminals, traffic light systems, etc., must be tested with new IP technology and SO products. Equipment manufacturers should test their devices, and Openreach can provide line test facilities for this purpose. Special services such as emergency pendants, dialysis machines, and telemetry devices need to be tested for proper functionality during the transition.

How does the 2023 Stop Sell

date affect you?

Starting September 2023, Openreach will stop selling new WLR and ISDN lines as part of the nationwide PSTN withdrawal. This means no new line installations, conversions, or changes will be allowed, except for line transfers where the installation remains the same. However, consumer rights will still be upheld, and calling and network features will still be allowed except in the two trial exchanges where restrictions may apply.