The UK’s copper-wire Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) will be turned off in 2025. BT and other providers are moving the UK to an all-digital telephone network – but what does this mean for your home or business phone lines?
Impact on residential phone lines
If you have a home phone line, it will stop working in 2025. This also means that any services which rely on the home line such as an alarm or set-top box (e.g. Sky) may also have limited functionality.
How do I prepare for the swtich and keep my number?
If you’d like to keep your landline number and service, here’s what we’d recommend.
1. Sign up to a VoIP service like our ‘pay as you grow plan’
2. ‘Port’ (move) your number to KoyKay. This makes your number ‘virtual’ and allows you to make and receive calls with this number via your internet connection.
3. Your old telephone will likely not work with a VoIP service and will become unusable in 2025. You have a few choices here. You could buy a VoIP adapter, which allows your existing phone to connect to your internet router or you could buy a VoIP compatible phone from our store. If you buy a phone from us, it’ll come set up and ready to go. All you need to do is plug it in.
4. You’ll need to contact your alarm, TV and other suppliers to let them know you’re switching for digital voice. Since 2025 is not far away they should upgrade your equipment to work over VoIP or they may offer you equipment which includes a SIM card and can communicate over the mobile network.
That’s it! You’re all ready for the switch to digital telephony in 2025 and you won’t need to worry about losing your number or missing a call. You’ll also have a lot more flexibility, for example, you can divert your landline to another phone, like your mobile or an app and answer calls from anywhere in the world (as long as you have a stable internet connection).
Impact on business phone lines
Depending on the size of your business you may have one or more lines spread across one or more physical offices. Some of your staff may also be remote. In 2025, any staff or offices relying on a traditional UK landline will face a distruption to their service.
How do I prepare for the switch, keep my numbers and avoid disrupting my business?
The steps are similar to what we recommend for residential users, with a couple of small differences:
1. Sign up to a VoIP plan. We recommend our Growth or Pro VoIP plans.
2. Contact us to discuss porting all of your numbers over. This costs as little as £20 per number. Discounts are possible when porting more than 10 numbers.
3. Contact us to discuss your hardware needs. We’d be happy to provide impartial advice and guidance one what would best meet the needs of your business.
4. Let’s set up your business logic. We can help you set up time of day routing, auto attendants, interactive voice response (IVR) menus and more. Now your numbers are virtual, your team can make an receive calls from almost anywhere in the world. For example your London number could ring your team in Edinburgh, Madrid and Los Angeles.
As always, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us. Don’t forget that all of our plans come with a 30-day moneyback guarantee. You’ll only pay for any calls you made during the 30 day period.