Closure of the UK Public Switched Telephone Network

[Dos_Box]

This one seems to have passed us by (apologies if it was mentioned last year) - https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/news/the-closure-of-the-public-switched-telephone-network

The TLDR is that it is to close on the 31 December 2025.

[Davit2005]

Been aware of this for a few years now. My home line no longer works with normal telephones or fax machines and I went cloud VOIP about 3-4 years back, although I have been running a 3cx for a few years too which will migrate to fully at next renewal. Edited October 11, 2021 by Davit2005

[howartp]

This has been public for a few years so i'm surprised it's managed to pass you by.

 

We upgraded our Avaya box 2/2.5 years ago with the appropriate SIP connectivity hardware in it, ready for when we do actually switch in the next couple of years (ie way before 2025).

 

I've also had several calls "on behalf of BT" (yeah right) trying to sell me the latest and greatest.

[Dos_Box]

This has been public for a few years so i'm surprised it's managed to pass you by.

 

We upgraded our Avaya box 2/2.5 years ago with the appropriate SIP connectivity hardware in it, ready for when we do actually switch in the next couple of years (ie way before 2025).

 

I've also had several calls "on behalf of BT" (yeah right) trying to sell me the latest and greatest.

 

I knew it was coming, but not the date, and let's face it, it's not as if we didn't have other things occupying our minds this time last year when they published this.

[Oaktech]

I'm rushing my transfer to Windows 11 because 2025 is going to all about the transition to VoIP for me!

[Zoom7000]

Been aware of this for a few years now. My home line no longer works with normal telephones or fax machines and I went cloud VOIP about 3-4 years back, although I have been running a 3cx for a few years too which will migrate to fully at next renewal.

 

It'd be interesting to know just how many people still have home telephones. I haven't used a home telephone since 2008. I only used to have one because Virgin Media gave me cheaper broadband to have one bundled in, even though cable broadband doesn't require a telephone line. As soon as they started making it cheaper to go without, I dropped it. Haven't missed it, ever. Especially don't miss the "You've been in an accident" calls.

 

I have a cheap PAYG SIM at home running on an iPhone 5S that I keep in case the kids need to call us in an emergency. I top it up about once a year just to stop 3 from disconnecting it. Even then, my kids can call me for free via WhatsApp or FaceTime and that's using the home WiFi connection.

 

I feel that as soon as more corporate workplaces start to embrace trust cloud VoIP and soft phone technologies (RingCentral, Dialpad, 8x8, 3CX etc) desk handsets and telephone infrastructure will start to become a thing of the past.

[Andrew_C]

The big question in another forum I frequent - "What are you going to do about emergency calls when the power fails?"

[TechMonkey]

The big question in another forum I frequent - "What are you going to do about emergency calls when the power fails?"

At home, at least, I'm sure I've seen BT installing quite a large battery to keep connection in the event of a power failure.

 

Although a quick search to check my brain shows they stopped this around 2018-19

[psydii]

The big question in another forum I frequent - "What are you going to do about emergency calls when the power fails?"

Use your mobile?

[Andrew_C]

Use your mobile?

And when, like in Manchester, the mobile networks are swamped?

[Edu-IT]

At home, at least, I'm sure I've seen BT installing quite a large battery to keep connection in the event of a power failure.

 

Although a quick search to check my brain shows they stopped this around 2018-19

Virgin Media do this.

[Zoom7000]

And when, like in Manchester, the mobile networks are swamped?

 

Well, during the 7/7 London attacks, we couldn't make mobile or landline calls. Plus, these days, people do all sorts of things like marking themselves safe on Facebook, sending a message via WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter etc. In most cases, you'll probably be outside and unable to access a landline anyway...

[FN-GM]

They did this in Australia when they rolled out NBN - the UK equivalent of fibre to the premises, fibre to the cabinet and Virgin Coax.

 

I don’t know anyone (including retired relatives) at all who has a landline phone. It just seems to be businesses who continue to use landline phone numbers (via SIP).

Edited October 12, 2021 by FN-GM

[Dos_Box]

Mind you, many parts of Africa have bypassed analogue lines and have gone straight to mobile. For many countries there, their landline infrastucture is very old and creaky, so is the best choice I think.

[Zoom7000]

Mind you, many parts of Africa have bypassed analogue lines and have gone straight to mobile. For many countries there, their landline infrastucture is very old and creaky, so is the best choice I think.

 

It's true. Even in rural parts of India, infrastructure development has gone into mobile data and Internet coverage, due to the demand from the population.

[southhamster]

Hmm. Quite a lot of the UK has rubbish mobile coverage. We barely get a signal here and landline broadband is only about 7 Mbps. Sometimes it can be days before I get a text message! Even with a 4G high gain external antenna it's hit and miss.

[MrEprise]

Much like where I am. Where I work, I get great coverage on Vodafone but barely a bar on EE. Move 300 yards up the road back to where I live and it's the complete opposite. My Parents have both mobiles and a landline, but it's the landline that they use the most as it so reliable and have never had any issues from when it was originally installed in 1986 up to present day. Mobile phones on the other hand, due to the coverage we get, we tend to just give up on.

[MatthewL]

I cannot see it happening by 2025 certainly for BT customers. Coppers lines are still going to be in place for the likes of internet circuits. KCom on the other hand are doing well moving customers to fibre, their ONT can handle the voice part but there is no provision for power failure and the ONT's are flaky at times to say the least. Business and consumer use the same model.

 

I don't think many use landlines for calls now, my Dad had no real need to keep it anymore any family members that are left call on mobile which is cheaper than the BT package, recently downed his package to pay for what calls are used as its cheaper. When we can I will port the number onto my SIP platform and have it as a line only then we keep it as minimal cost just incase plus its quite a catchy number.

[FN-GM]

I cannot see it happening by 2025 certainly for BT customers. Coppers lines are still going to be in place for the likes of internet circuits

 

I think you miss understood. The copper won't be replaced. The cabling will still be there but it won't be used for phones anymore. It will be used for the internet only. If people choose they can then use VOIP over that internet connection. Many VDSL routers (used for fiber to the cabinet) have a built in ATA so many won't really notice the difference.

[nicholab]

I have FTTP and my voice and and data are delivered from the ONT. I think that is better as opposed to my parents which have digital voice from the BT router and there seems no way to have your own router. If you look at Mildenhall https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2019/06/openreach-trial-fttp-exchange-upgrade-processes-and-digital-voice.html they are looking at moving every one to fttp even the phone only customers as they want to remove legacy kit from the exchange.

[jmak]

One difference with VoIP (VDSL or FTTP) is that you need separate mains power at the property whereas PSTN has it's own power supply down the phone line. That's why when you buy a cordless phone there's a warning in the instructions that it may not work in an emergency.

 

I think it's a very rare problem and I bet loads of households already have a phone system that needs a separate phone supply. I don't keep a traditional wired phone plugged in any more.

[Andrew_C]

These things may not worry householders over much, as any local emergency is usually not going to bring down the mobile carriers. However, if you run a theatre or similar, then (if you are REALLY doing your risk assessment) you have a problem. Also schools! What does your fire risk assessment say?

[FN-GM]

These things may not worry householders over much, as any local emergency is usually not going to bring down the mobile carriers. However, if you run a theatre or similar, then (if you are REALLY doing your risk assessment) you have a problem. Also schools! What does your fire risk assessment say?

 

To be fair larger organisations are going to have other plans in place already. Modern fire panels use SIM cards. Plus if there is a fire it’s best to call 999 outside the building on a mobile than inside on a landline.

[localzuk]

These things may not worry householders over much, as any local emergency is usually not going to bring down the mobile carriers. However, if you run a theatre or similar, then (if you are REALLY doing your risk assessment) you have a problem. Also schools! What does your fire risk assessment say?

Most up to date systems use the mobile network now. All our alarm systems do, as does our lift at one of the schools. Only thing I can think of which may not be is the gas meter - which is connected to its own phone line (operated by the metering company). So wonder if/when we'll see that swapped out.

[jmak]

At my last school the PSTN lines were connected to the PBX which meant there were no phones connected to lines that wouldn't work without power. There was a line connected to the alarm system but you had to go into a cupboard and unplug the alarm and swap it for a phone. I'd definitely be leaving the building first.