It is difficult to believe that some aspects of telecoms can be measured by the century, but by this time next year the UK’s analogue telephone system (the Public Switched Telephone Network PSTN), that has served the nation well for more than a century, will be no more. Instead, we will have moved to from copper wire to fibre based communication.
With fewer than 12 months before the big switch off at the end of January 2027, now is a good time to prepare.
So, first things first – I’ve always found this a strange expression, but it serves well here.
The types of phones affected by the copper switch off include:
- Copper based landline phones, meaning pretty well all existing phone services.
- Red telephone boxes – not so important, but a loss no doubt to be keenly felt by some older demographics.
- Emergency phones in lifts – essentially important.
The big questions is of course, is what will happen to office landline telephones and broadband if users do nothing?
Well, unless special provision is made, such as there is no alternatives available because you live in a remote area without fibre connection, you will get a new service that is likely to more or less replicate an existing one, but not necessarily. All connections will need to be fibre based to premises (FTTP) or Single Order Generic Ethernet Access Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SOGEA), which is replacing Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC), and enables telecoms providers to order broadband without a phone line - so that customers get everything within a single order. In ordinary English, it means the vast majority of users will be switched to digital, and usage day to day will be the same. But basic new equipment may be needed.
Before the switch off date, telecoms suppliers will either offer conversion to full fibre services, or SOGEA. Once moved to a digital line, anything plugged into a telephone wall socket may stop working. Existing telephones may require a new router, an adapter, or there may be a need for new handsets. Telecoms companies will assist with this. Matt – will they charge?
So what difference will the big switch off actually make?
Some telecoms users are going to get much bigger bills. If a ‘legacy’ broadband connection like ADSL, is used then almost definitely there will be a marked jump in pricing. This is because Openreach, the controller of the whole infrastructure system, has decided on a 100 per cent price increase to suppliers of ADSL broadband services over the next few months in order to incentivise the move across to full fibre broadband. In turn, Internet Providers will pass on the increase. So there will be technical progress for most, but at a hefty cost for others.
Will telephones work without power.
No. Digital network rely on internet connectivity, so telephones will not work without power. Obviously, this is not ideal in a power cut situation.
So what is so good about digital voice as it is sometimes referred?
Digital Voice or VoIP (Voice Over IP), offers greater quality of call, more features and more flexibility. Some of these features include greater spam and nuisance call protection and more portability (i.e. you can often use services over a tablet or other devices).
Will existing telephone numbers work as normal?
The simple answer is, yes. Nothing will change.
Is all of this really as complicated as it seems?
No. The good news is that most of the work will be done by suppliers. For the majority, the only task will be to plug telephones into new equipment. (What new equipment, where will it come from, and who pays?)
My advice is get ready now. Contact your telecoms supplier. Get them to talk you through what the switch will entail, and how to prepare. In fact, most suppliers will contact customers well ahead of switch date, and in most cases offer a more or less like for like service and price.
However, there are some things that some VCFSEs will need to address such emergency phones in lifts and security alarms. Speak to the provider to find out what the options are. And as always, if you would like any advice then please contact me at [email protected] , or call me on 01473 345321
