UK businesses facing disruption from PSTN switch-off deadline

Unless more work is done by companies in the UK, the move from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to IP networks is set to cause major disruption, according to a new report from Zen Internet.

According to the report, only 18% of small firms and 26% of large companies report having a solution ready for when PSTN is turned off.

Despite the deadline getting closer, just 19% of businesses are migrating to a new system, with 27% considering their options and 17% being unsure of what to do next. Perhaps most concerning, close to one in ten firms are completely unaware of the switch-off date.

“While our research shows good awareness that the switch off is happening there’s a clear disconnect between knowing about the end of PSTN and having a future-proof solution in place,” said David Barber, Strategy Director at Zen.

“Too many businesses may be leaving decisions around all-IP communications to the last minute, which could be a recipe for disruption,” added Barber.

Making the move to all-IP connectivity is better to start sooner rather than later, as the PSTN network is becoming increasingly outdated and performing poorly. Waiting until the last minute to transition can lead to adopting an incomplete solution that isn’t able to keep up with the changing communication needs of organisations.

In practice, if an on-time move is not made before the deadline, companies can lose all phone connectivity, as well as all other services that rely on this technology. Everything from IoT devices to payment systems and security services could be impacted by the lack of a speedy migration plan.

By making the switch now, businesses can not only ensure they meet the deadline but they will be able to make the most of the benefits of next-gen technology now. Those who wait may face a rushed process that misses out on important services.

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