‘Fit to Switch’ calls for acknowledgement and support for PSTN switch off

In 2017, BT announced plans to retire its existing analogue PSTN copper infrastructure by the end of December 2025.

The switch off renders any technology connected to the PSTN network, such as phone lines, fire and security alarms, IT back-up systems, emergency-pull cords in disabled toilets, and lift emergency-call lines, as obsolete once the copper wire is turned off.

According to the Fit to Switch campaign, many businesses and consumers are unaware of the impending switch, with many at risk of losing their telephone and internet services if they do not install the Openreach fibre network in time.

Gamma, a telecoms company and supporter of the campaign, said their latest study found that one-third of respondents had ‘no idea’ that the switch was happening, and of the two-thirds that did, only 75 per cent had a clear migration plan.

The old PSTN network provides an ‘always-on’, fail-safe service, with a 48V DC power supply constantly serving the line, which enables phone calls to instantly connect and alarm systems to automatically sound.