info@telgroup.co.uk 
0800 652 19002027 BT Switch Off
Prepare your organisation for the 2027 BT Switch Off with Tel Group!
What is happening?
BT has started to phase out its ISDN and PSTN lines, with the intention to switch off these lines for good by January 2027.
Essentially, this means that your school or business will be forced to replace these lines and all connected equipment in order to make way for the newer, cheaper, and more efficient alternatives: VoIP and SIP.
Why is this happening?
Unfortunately, traditional lines no longer meet the demand for new technology, offering a limited number of benefits. Copper connections, which are widely used in schools, do not meet the DfE standards.
Additionally, traditional phone lines are made up of old technology, which means maintenance is much more frequent and costly.
The new network will provide a future-proof, reliable service, supporting higher quality voice calls with fewer faults and less maintenance.
What equipment will be affected?
Not only will your telephone systems be affected, but additional connected equipment will also become obsolete.
The main thing to consider is your broadband. If your current broadband connection operates using the ADSL or FTTC network, you’ll need to switch your broadband over to FTTP or SoGEA.
Any additional equipment that also uses PSTN and ISDN will stop working, this may include alarms (lift, fire, intruder alarms), door entry systems, CCTV, faxes, and much more.
Who will the 2027 BT Switch-Off affect?
This new digital network is the biggest upgrade to broadband and telephone lines. Everyone using ISDN or PSTN, regardless of provider, will have their lines switched off. This means your school or business will be directly affected.
You will therefore need to accommodate this change to ensure your operations continue to run smoothly.
What telephony options do I have?
When looking to upgrade from your obsolete telephone lines, IP Technology is what you need.
VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol.
VoIP is the most popular modern alternative to PSTN lines and allows you to make and receive phone calls over the internet.
SIP – Session Initiation Protocol.
SIP is a highly flexible technology which enables you to send and receive multimedia data e.g. video calls and voice calls.
What broadband options do I have?
If your broadband connection operates using the ADSL or FTTC network, you’ll need to switch your broadband over to FTTP or SoGEA.
FTTP – Fibre to the Premise.
FTTP is a pure fibre connection from the exchange into your premises, offering higher broadband speeds. Full fibre services provide the capacity and speed needed for organisations to run effectively.
SoGEA – Single order Generic Ethernet Access.
SOGEA is a standalone broadband-only product, created after Openreach decided to shut down the ISDN and PSTN network. SoGEA provides the internet connection you require within a single order and without a PSTN line, with lower install and rental costs.
What are the benefits of upgrading?
Moving away from traditional lines to our newer, futureproof and cost-effective technology brings a number of benefits and widens your capabilities:
- Reduced Costs
- Robust Connection
- High Speeds
- Remote Working
- Free Calls Between Sites
- Keep Existing Numbers
- Call Recording, Queuing and Auto Attendant
- Voicemail to Email
- Integrations
- & Much More
