Over the last decade, the communication methods a business can employ have never been more diverse. While many businesses have already moved away from relying solely on landline phones, essential services still rely on the centuryold copper wires and the Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) internet that this ageing infrastructure provides.
The pandemic accelerated the use of remote worker solutions, services like Microsoft Teams and Zoom have come to the forefront in our daily business lives and there has been a move by these players to push into the business telephony space. Decisions made by UK Government and telecoms carriers have meant businesses need to look at their telecoms strategy.
In August 2021, BT Openreach announced the date for its copper switch-off is to be December 2025, and that the move from copper to fibre networks will happen in stages. In line with the UK Government’s goal of providing gigabit connectivity across the UK, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PTSN) and its copper system will be switched off by the end of 2025.
Why is the Government switching off the copper system?
First implemented in 1877, the copper telephone system is well over a century old and is becoming increasingly expensive to maintain. There are other factors driving the switch off, the main one being that the current copper system consumes 0.6% of the country’s energy. The new fibre network not only reduces costs, but also contributes to an overall decrease in the country’s carbon footprint, in-line with the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy, which is to be net zero in all sectors by 2050.
The lines won’t all be turned off at once. Openreach has explained that it will switch off the old copper system in phases. Once the majority of UK properties (75%) have been switched to the digital system, Openreach will introduce a ‘stop sell’ on copper services, meaning new lines cannot be ordered.
Beware of scare tactics however, that are being employed on the basis that you must upgrade services now. As a business we receive at least two calls a week where call centre staff try to convince us that we have to do something today! There is still time to plan, and businesses need to evaluate the best options for their immediate and long term future.
How will the copper switch-off affect my business?
No matter the size of the business, or what your current telephone system is, you need to plan for 2025. In many cases it may not be appropriate to do anything “right now”, particularly if internet speeds in your area are currently poor. Internet speed is a major factor when it comes to your options. It is important however, to start looking at what you could do. Your business is bound to need to make changes, although you have time to plan and implement them.
The choices are wide and varied. Partnering with a company that is able to offer a comprehensive range of services, should allow you to make the best decision. Whether you go on premise, fully hosted, hybrid or consider moving your calls to newer players like Teams and Zoom, getting the right advice is crucial.
Copper phone lines impact more than just telephone systems, and there may be parts of your business that need evaluating before a planned shut-off, including:
Alarm systems, lift service lines, payment terminals.
Many of these systems are already able to cope with this move away from legacy systems, however ensuring you have the required technology to switch to digital services, is the key to preparing for the copper switch-off.
How can Lucid help?
Lucid is dedicated to ensuring your business fully understands the upcoming changes and that you are fully aware of all the available options to you. With over 30 years of trading under our belt, our team are fully manufacturer-trained in all aspects of business communications and are here to ensure a best-fit solution for you and your team.
Contact our experts today for more information.