A new era – SoGEA and the shut down of PSTN

A new era – SoGEA and the end of telephones as we know it

BT prepare to turn off the PSTN network in 2025.

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OpenReach (the infrastructure-focused division of BT) is the company that owns and maintains all the traditional phone lines, “green boxes” and phone exchanges in the UK. They have recently announced the end-of-life and discontinuation of the traditional phone line – known as the Public Switched Telephone Network.

In replacement, all “phone lines” will be converted to be an internet-only line called SoGEA (Single-order Generic Ethernet Access). Down this internet connection, a digital IP phone will be used instead, utilising a technology called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Many businesses have been using VoIP systems for years already, and is a growing industry among residential markets. This means your existing phone handsets will not continue to work,

Here’s What BT say………..

What’s happening?

We’re moving all our customers from the old analogue public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a fully digital network. We’ve already started. We plan to have moved everyone over before Openreach stop the PSTN (and ISDN) service in 2025. By then, every phone line in the UK will be digital, routing calls over IP (Internet Protocol) rather than the traditional PSTN.

When you say ‘everyone…’?

Yes, we mean everyone. Business and home. And it’s not just your phone services you need to think about. It’s everything else that currently uses the old phone network, all your non-voice services connected to PSTN or ISDN lines. Things like alarms, EPOS machines, door entry systems, CCTV, and faxes.

Sounds a bit drastic. Why are you doing it?

PSTN has been the backbone of the UK’s phone network for decades. But we’ve all seen the dramatic changes in technology over the past few years, especially recently. It’s all around us: smartphones, apps, the cloud, Zoom, Internet of Things, and so on.

What you probably don’t notice so much is the infrastructure that makes everything work. The telephone lines strung across the streets, the web of copper cables buried beneath your feet, some of which have been down there since the 19^th century.

It’s now time to leap forward from PSTN to embrace the boundless possibilities of digital.

So IP is better than PSTN?

Yes. As an essentially 20^th century technology, the PSTN network is increasingly out of kilter with the demands of modern communications. As people switch to mobile and internet communications, everyone demands much more than the traditional technologies were designed to deliver. Which is why we’re switching to IP.

What about the rest of the world, what are they doing?

The switch to digital is happening everywhere, fast. As technology and customer behaviour changes, phone companies across the world are moving from analogue to digital. Germany, Japan, and Sweden are ahead of us in making the shift. Estonia and The Netherlands are already there and have switched off their PSTN networks.

2025. That’s years away. Why are we talking about this now?

You need to start planning your move today because there could be a lot to do. Remember, it’s not just about calls. You need to review everything you’re connecting to your phone lines, like door entry systems and alarms. Many businesses have already embraced an all-digital model, moving their communications to the cloud making calls over the internet and embracing video conferencing

Will we be better off with digital?

The move to all-digital isn’t just because the old phone system is, well, old. It’s because all-digital communications are so much better. Even at the most basic level, you’ll be able to make and take calls on any device, from wherever you are, from the same number. You’ll link your business applications and systems with video chat, calls and collaboration, so you’re closer to customers and colleagues alike. And with everything in the cloud, you’ll be able to access systems from anywhere, working from wherever you want.

Factor in the lower costs that IP can bring and it makes sense to get your skates on and go digital as soon as you can. There’s no need to wait until the last moment.

Sounds great. What do I do next?

Take a look at our Five steps to digital checklist for some pointers.

Hold on, not so fast. I’m not convinced. That’s OK. We know there are a few scare stories out there about the PSTN switch-off. Ten myths about digital phone lines debunked should put you at ease

Ready or not, the PSTN switch-off is happening in 2025. From then on, at home or at work, we’ll all be using digital phone services. Many homes and businesses have already successfully made the move to digital. They’re not only ready for the future, they’re already enjoying the many benefits of a cloud-based phone system.