On 31st March 2024 there was an article posted in the Telegraph regarding pausing the ISDN & PSTN switch off due to a change in technology over fears of putting elderly and vulnerable people being put at risk. The article in question can be found here:
On 2nd April BT issued a response to Telegraph article speculating on a delay to the December 2025 PSTN closure deadline.
Official BT Statement:
“We’re working closely with the Government and Ofcom as we continue the important programme to move customers onto digital landlines.
Our priority remains doing this safely, supporting our vulnerable customers and those with additional needs in particular, and we’re working with key organisations that represent these groups to achieve that. This includes encouraging more local authorities and telecare providers to make us aware of telecare users so we can make sure they get the right support at the right time.
Along with other providers, our non-voluntary customer migrations are currently paused, and we’re committed to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Charter to protect vulnerable customers, following its publication in December 2023.
The current pause will have an impact on the timing of the overall programme – but we are working to minimise any delays, as the switch to digital landlines is a necessity given the increasing fragility of the analogue landline network.”
Concerns?
If you are concerned about what the changes could mean to your business connectivity, please feel free to contact us at HM Network, and we would be more than happy to review and look at options for you to consider.