ARE YOU READY FOR THE PSTN NETWORK SWITCH OFF 

Big changes are coming for your phone lines when the country switches over to a new digital network in 2025.

What’s happening?

Anyone using the old analogue public switched telephone network (PSTN) will be moved to a fully digital network. This process has already started depending on the service provider whilst others are yet to be migrated. By 2025 everyone using PSTN or ISDN services will be moved to a digital phone line, routing calls over IP (Internet Protocol) rather then 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 such as alarms, EPOS machines, door entry systems, CCTV, and faxes. In the IT world it could net routers, network switches and other It devices that have a modem connection for out-of-band access. 

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 is the infrastructure that makes everything work. The telephone lines strung across the streets, the web of copper cables buried beneath you, some of which have been there since the 19th century.

So, IP is better than PSTN?

Yes and No. As an essentially 20th 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. It’s now time to leap forward from PSTN to IP and embrace the boundless possibilities of digital. 

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 have already 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. Everything connected to your phone lines like your critical IT infrastructure needs to reviewed. There’s no need to wait until the last moment.

Will we be better off with digital?

The move to all-digital isn’t just because the old phone system is old. It’s also because all-digital communications are so much better. Even at the basic level, you’ll be able to make and take calls on any device, from wherever you are on the same number. You’ll be able to link your business applications and systems to video chat, calls and collaboration, so you’re closer to customers and colleague. 

SO WHAT CAN I DO?

Legacy and older hardware that use analogue modem lines for out-of-band access will need to be replaced in preparation. with various IT equipment located and dispersed remotely perhaps across multiple locations, you will need to have a means to remotely access, configure and deploy everything regardless of vendor brand, type of device or connection. 

Sounds great. What do I NEED?

Consider having a look at the Vertiv Avocent ACS8000 serial console solution for secure in-band and out-of-band access to your critical IT infrastructure. Avocent is brand well known in the industry, with the ACS8000 advanced serial console server solution providing the means to access any serial console management port regardless of vendor or port type. Use the Vertiv Avocent ACS8000 serial console server to access your IT infrastructure as if you were locally connected to it to configure and deploy your IT devices. In the event the network is down, the Avocent ACS8000 can automatically failover to LTE, providing a secure gateway to your critical infrastructure to access any device, troubleshoot at anytime, and manage from anywhere.