What is the PSTN Switch Off?

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) has been the backbone of telecommunications for almost 150 years, enabling voice calls for residential and business use across the UK. However, with the rapid advancement of digital technologies, the time has come for the PSTN switch off.

In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this change, the implications for businesses and consumers, and the future-proof digital solutions that are reshaping the telecommunications landscape.

The PSTN Era

The PSTN revolutionised communication by establishing a reliable and widespread network for voice calls. With the introduction of the internet in the 1990s, it was adapted to provide data connections over the same technology. However, the PSTN is essentially a network of copper wires, making it susceptible to degradation, interference and even bad weather, affecting both voice and internet connections. In addition, the telephone exchange equipment is reaching its end of life and becoming harder to source and costly to maintain.

The All-IP Future

The switch off of the traditional telephone network is primarily driven by the aging technology and technological advancements in telecommunications. The PSTN has become costly to maintain meaning the closure gives communications providers the opportunity to retire outdated infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs, and focus on delivering modern services. While we’ve come a long way since dial-up internet, some still struggle with slow internet connections, particularly in the age of hybrid working and video streaming. Full fibre broadband is here to change this.