PTSN and ISDN switch-off: moving to digital voice

The switch to a digital phone network in the UK has begun, with certain parts of the country expected to switch off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) as soon as April 2023.

By 2025, the PSTN and the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) will be switched off for good, replaced by an IP (Internet Protocol) fibre-based network and infrastructure.

The switch is an opportunity for organisations to simplify their systems, reduce costs, boost sustainability, and enable a more flexible workplace. However, a survey conducted by our team reveals that many organisations need to do more to ensure they’re fully prepared for the switch and avoid any potential disruptions to their IT services.

From confusion over responsibilities to misaligned IT and organisational goals, our survey found a worrying complacency in almost every sector and region. Budgets are being directed towards enticing new technologies, rather than establishing an underlying infrastructure that can support multiple IP-based communication solutions.

To successfully prepare for the switch, organisational leaders and IT teams must come together, develop clear project plans, engage with partners and vendors, and lead their organisations to success. The time to start is now, to avoid any potential disruptions in the future.

Download our report to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between the digital transformation of individual businesses and the digital transformation of the telecoms network, and learn how to prepare effectively for the switch-off of the PSTN.