The future of telecommunications is here, and ahead of a complete digital switchover, it is time for every business to look at all of their telecommunications contracts and take advantage of the perfect opportunity to switch to a provider that suits them best.
Whilst news of a digital switchover is not entirely new, with less than two years to go before the analogue telecoms networks that businesses and homes used to rely on disappear, now is the time to start considering your options for your landline phones.
As experts in helping businesses switch to the best possible provider, we have compiled a quick guide on everything you need to know about how and why telecoms are changing in 2027.
What Is The Digital Switchover?
Much like the television digital switchover that took place in the late 2000s, the telecoms digital switchover is the process of transitioning to a completely digital service network, whilst progressively switching off the existing analogue networks.
Specifically, the existing Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) that previously operated landline services, as well as the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), will be switched off.
The ISDN network was an extension of PSTN that allowed voice, video, fax and data signals to be carried over a single telephone line.
Both will be replaced with a digital phone network using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology instead, similar to the technology used to make calls over Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
The telecoms industry announced that they were to retire analogue telephone networks in November 2027, and whilst the work was expected to be completed by 2025, various delays have pushed the timeline for completion back to late-January 2027.
Why Is The Switchover Happening?
The analogue telecoms networks, particularly PSTN, can be traced back to early telegraph machines and manually operated switchboards, and whilst the infrastructure has seen countless updates and upgrades, the underlying technology is reaching the limits of its functionality.
As well as this, the copper wiring is becoming increasingly fragile, and the age of the technology means that it is increasingly difficult to source parts to maintain and repair various components because they are no longer supplied or the supplier who made them no longer exists.
What Does It Mean For Business Customers?
What this means for customers will vary depending on their specific telecoms setup, but anything that relies on PSTN or ISDN will no longer function by the date that a telecoms provider says that analogue services are set to be switched off.
This means that if you have not upgraded your landline to a digital version using VoIP technology, your phones will be hooked up to a dead line and no longer function.
Whenever customers are set to be affected by the switchover, their current provider will contact them to let them know what to do in advance.
In some cases, the upgrade can be as simple as plugging your landline phone directly into your broadband router rather than the dedicated phone socket, whilst in other cases, there might be some more complex preparations that need to be undertaken.
As almost all PSTN and ISDN lines will be shut down, this can affect services that rely on a connection to that line, such as some fax machines, alarm systems, some card payment systems and even emergency lift systems.
One complication, as reported by IHEEM, is that emergency lift alarms and lift phones can operate if there is a power cut in a building housing a lift by using power from the PSTN’s copper wiring.
This would not be the case with a VoIP arrangement, and any business that owns a building with a lift will need to explore alternative options such as a GSM digital lift phone with an external emergency battery supply in order to comply with health and safety regulations.
Do You Need A Broadband Connection To Use The Phone?
Whilst there are very few businesses without an internet connection in 2025, one concern that has been raised is whether people and small businesses that do not rely on broadband would need to pay for an internet connection they have no plans to use in order to use the phone.
The answer for individual customers is no. There are alternative interim solutions that allow customers to continue to use their landline until either a digital landline alternative is provided or by 2030.
Businesses, however, should contact their provider or a switching service to see if they can save money as they upgrade their telecommunications infrastructure.
