What you need to know at a glance...

What's happening?

The UK is in the midst of a significant technological overhaul, transitioning its traditional phone network from the ageing, copper-based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to an entirely digital network. This monumental shift aims to dramatically improve connectivity and reliability across the nation, marking a pivotal step towards modernising and future-proofing the UK's telecommunications infrastructure. This move aligns with a global trend towards digitisation and is indicative of the UK's commitment to embracing cutting-edge telecommunications technology to meet the evolving needs of its population. To facilitate this transition, the UK has set an ambitious deadline: all PSTN services are to be switched off by December 2025. This timeline provides a clear target for service providers, businesses, and consumers to work towards, but it also underscores the urgency of preparing for the digital future.

The UK's transition from PSTN to a fully digital network is a landmark project that represents a significant investment in the nation's digital future. While the task is substantial and the deadline is looming, the benefits of a more connected, reliable, and innovative telecommunications landscape are clear. As December 2025 approaches, the focus remains on ensuring that the transition is as smooth as possible, laying the foundation for a new era of digital communication in the UK.

Why is it happening?

The transition from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to a state-of-the-art digital infrastructure is a strategic move motivated by the pressing need to replace outdated technology with a more advanced, reliable, and scalable telecommunications framework. This shift is in response to the escalating demand for higher bandwidth, quicker internet speeds, and more sophisticated communication solutions, demands that the ageing PSTN system, with its roots deeply embedded in legacy technology, finds increasingly challenging to meet. The limitations of the PSTN are becoming ever more apparent, as it struggles to keep pace with the exponential growth in data traffic and the evolving needs of a digitally connected society.

By transitioning to a digital infrastructure, the UK is positioning itself at the forefront of telecommunications innovation, aiming to create a robust network capable of supporting current and future digital demands. This involves not just upgrading the physical hardware but also embracing new protocols and standards that enhance data transmission efficiency, improve security, and provide greater resilience against failures and cyber threats.

What does it mean?

The transition towards a modern digital infrastructure signifies a significant leap forward for both consumers and businesses, heralding the arrival of a communication network that is not only more reliable but also designed to withstand the test of time. This transformation requires either the replacement or adaptation of current PSTN-based telephony systems as well as over-the-top (OTT) services, ensuring that they are compatible with the new digital standards. The objective is to migrate all services well before the December 2025 deadline, a critical timeline set to guarantee uninterrupted service continuity.

For consumers, this means enjoying higher quality voice calls, faster internet connections, and access to a suite of advanced features that enhance personal communication. The integration of voice, data, and video services on a single platform can offer a more seamless and integrated user experience, reflecting the evolving needs and preferences of the digital age.

Businesses, on the other hand, stand to gain significantly from this transition. A more robust and scalable digital network opens up new avenues for innovation in business communications, customer engagement, and operational efficiency. The ability to leverage advanced telecommunications technologies such as VoIP, unified communications, and cloud-based services can transform business models, enabling more flexible working arrangements, enhanced collaboration, and improved service delivery to customers.

Which Services are Impacted?

The impending shutdown of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) has wide-ranging implications, extending its impact well beyond the PSTN lines themselves to encompass a vast array of services across multiple sectors. This significant transition necessitates a careful balancing act—ensuring onwards compatibility of existing equipment, managing the time and financial costs associated with equipment replacement, and maintaining the flexibility of the services provided.

Among the varied services that will need to navigate the challenges posed by this transition are:

Traditional Landline Telephones: A staple in homes and businesses alike, these devices must be adapted or integrated with digital solutions to continue functioning in a post-PSTN landscape.

Fax Machines: Despite being viewed as somewhat antiquated, fax machines play critical roles in certain sectors, such as healthcare and legal, where document security is paramount. Adapting these for digital transmission while retaining their security features is crucial.

Alarm and Telecare Systems: Vital for the safety and well-being of many, particularly the elderly and those with health issues, these systems' compatibility with digital networks is essential for ensuring continuous monitoring and emergency response capabilities.

ADSL Broadband Services: Reliant on PSTN lines, the shift to digital will require users of ADSL services to transition to alternative forms of broadband, such as fibre, without necessitating widespread hardware replacements at the consumer end.

Payment Terminals: Critical for retail and commerce, these terminals will need to ensure secure transactions over digital networks, possibly requiring updates or modular additions to existing devices to maintain their functionality and security.

Elevator Emergency Phones: Found in elevators for safety, these direct lines to emergency assistance must be updated to ensure they remain operational in critical moments, without the need for complete system overhauls.

Remote Monitoring and Control Systems: Used extensively in industries for operational efficiency, these systems must seamlessly transition to digital to continue their remote oversight and control functions without interruption.

This transition to a digital infrastructure, while challenging, presents an opportunity to enhance and future-proof these essential services. It underscores the importance of forward planning, innovative thinking, and strategic investment to ensure that the transition not only minimizes disruption but also leverages the potential for improved service delivery, reliability, and efficiency in a digital-first era. Balancing the immediate needs for compatibility and service continuity with the long-term vision for a more flexible and robust digital network will be key to navigating this complex transition successfully.

The Shutdown in Numbers

Dec 2025
The date of Shutdown

2.4M
Uk businesses still operate on legacy phone lines

48%
UK Businesses who are either unaware or feel uninformed on the PSTN Shutdown*Gamma Telecom "Are UK businesses aware and prepared?" report 2023

The Challenge

There remains a significant number of hurdles to navigate prior to The Shutdown in December 25.

Lack of Awareness

Surveys indicate that almost half of UK businesses report a lack of awareness or express that they do not feel adequately informed about the implications of the PSTN Shutdown. This lack of information is not merely a minor oversight; it has profound implications for operational continuity, emergency preparedness, and the maintenance of essential services that rely on PSTN technologies. The deficit in awareness can lead to delays in adopting new technologies, misalignment in strategic planning for telecommunications needs, and potentially severe disruptions in services that are critical for the day-to-day operations of businesses. Furthermore, this gap underscores the necessity for comprehensive outreach and education efforts by stakeholders involved in the PSTN transition, including service providers and regulatory bodies, to ensure businesses are not only aware of the forthcoming changes but also adequately prepared to transition to alternative solutions without compromising their service quality or operational integrity.

Complexity of Migration Activity

The PSTN network meets a broad spectrum of requirements, spanning from basic dial-tone access to complex, over-the-top services. As such, it is imperative that each specific use case is evaluated to identify appropriate alternatives to the current PSTN services. In situations where Communication Providers (CPs) have delivered PSTN services to their clientele, there frequently exists a gap in understanding regarding the customers' actual use of these services or the particular applications or devices that are connected downstream. This ambiguity has decelerated the transition pace because, in most scenarios, it eliminates strategies like forced migration, which are commonly employed in the decommissioning of other products.

Fragmented Approach

In the B2B domain, the tempo at which migration proceeds is heavily shaped by the strategic decisions of Communication Providers (CPs). These entities, which directly interface with the end consumers, play a pivotal role in steering the market's direction through their marketing and service provision strategies. The diversity in the migration pace among these enterprises is a reflection of their unique business models, strategic objectives, and how they prioritize their investments in technology upgrades.

Some businesses may adopt a proactive approach, swiftly migrating their client base to leverage new technological advantages and enhance their competitive edge. These companies often view the migration as an opportunity to redefine their service offerings, improve customer satisfaction, and tap into new revenue streams. On the other hand, there are enterprises that take a more cautious stance, gradually transitioning their services to manage risks and ensure that their customers face minimal disruption during the changeover.

This variation in migration strategies is also influenced by the technological readiness of the CPs' clientele, the specific needs and dependencies of their industry sectors, and the regulatory environment within which they operate. For example, sectors that rely heavily on real-time data exchange and high reliability may require more intricate migration plans to avoid any impact on their operations.

Moreover, the financial aspect of migration cannot be understated. The cost associated with upgrading infrastructure, training staff, and potentially altering service contracts means that each CP must carefully balance their financial planning with their migration timeline, ensuring that they remain competitive while not overextending their resources

Replacement Products

Numerous alternatives to the PSTN network, despite being innovative, often lack essential features that users have grown to depend on. As a result, in certain situations, customers must continue using PSTN connections until the industry devises a solution to these shortcomings. A significant feature missing is the ability to provide critical services in emergency scenarios, such as accurate location tracking during calls to emergency services, which can be vital for the safety of vulnerable people. Furthermore, these modern solutions might not be compatible with some older devices and systems still in operation today for specific uses, including security systems, fax machines, and medical alert services. Ensuring these devices work seamlessly with new technologies is vital for a smooth transition, guaranteeing that all users, particularly those who rely on certain services for health and safety, do not suffer due to the move away from PSTN infrastructure.

Customer Messaging

Ensuring the correct messaging to engage clients in the migration process is paramount. There's a significant risk that clients may perceive this transition as merely a sales strategy rather than a necessary evolution for both technological and operational enhancement. To mitigate this perception and genuinely engage clients, communication must be meticulously crafted, emphasizing transparency, the intrinsic value of the transition, and the tangible benefits to the client. Effective messaging that positions the PSTN migration as a strategic, beneficial, and inevitable transition, supported by a partnership approach, is crucial. This ensures clients are not only informed but also engaged and invested in the migration process, seeing it as an opportunity for growth rather than a mere sales tactic.