While this extension gives businesses extra time, it’s crucial not to wait until the last minute. Migrating to a modern VoIP solution now means your communications remain seamless and ready for the upcoming digital landscape.
Barton Telecom is here to guide you through this transition. With expert advice and over 30 years of experience in telecom services, we make switching to modern communications simple and stress-free, ultimately empowering your business for the next digital era.
Experienced
Over 30 years serving UK businesses
Reliable & Future-Proof
Built for the UK’s ISDN switch-off and beyond
Trusted Reputation
Over 100 five-star rated Google reviews
Personalised Service
No outsourced call centres, just people who genuinely care
Our Tech Partners
Why are ISDN/PSTN networks being switched off?
With the huge growth and improvements of digital communication, the ISDN & PSTN network is unable to cope with the demands of the nations communication needs. ISDN & PSTN networks are both delivered using copper cables which are expensive to maintain and are in a constant state of degradation due to their age. The introduction and advancements in VoIP solutions has also meant the requirement for ISDN/PSTN services has dramatically reduced.
What does this mean for my business?
From 31st January 2027, traditional phone lines will be switched off. So if you’re currently using this network, alike thousands of UK businesses, your company will lose its telephone line connection.
Though its not all doom and gloom, as systems replacing it (cloud-telephony/VoIP) offer much more resilience than traditional phone lines.
Also, massively increased flexibility, allowing businesses not to be tied by physical locations and so much cabling.
ISDN & PTSN Alternatives
What will replace the traditional lines?
The two replacement products are SIP trunks or a cloud-based phone system. SIP trunks (Session Initiation Protocol) are phone lines that work down the internet and connect to your PBX (Private Branch Exchange). Cloud based phone systems are the way that most companies are now directing their telephony. The arrival of flexible working was a major reason that this turned into the preferred method. Cloud systems come with plenty of features included and don’t often require a large upfront cost.
Both methods require a fast, reliable internet connection.
Book a meeting with us
FAQs around the BT Network Switch Off
The switch off is the removal of the integrated service digital network (ISDN) and public switch telephone network (PSTN). All voice traffic will need to work through the internet (VoIP) by January 2027.
BT have announced that the switch off is due to take place at the end January 2027. The deadline is fast approaching so it’s worth starting to look at upgrading your traditional phone services sooner rather than later. The longer you leave it, the more risk you have of losing your phone service.
All the services that you’re paying for should be listed on a bill from your supplier. Alternatively, get in touch with us and we can find out by looking on our portal.
The answer is quite simple, everyone who is still running their telephony over the BT copper network is at risk of losing their services if they have not upgraded by the end of January 2027. This includes all ISDN telephone lines and analogue lines. Don’t forget lines being used for fax, franking or PDQ card machines.
The ISDN / PSTN network is now outdated and it is becoming more expensive to maintain. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology is far superior and more suited to current working requirements. The priority for Openreach moving forward, is to maintain a high availability full fibre broadband network.
The ISDN network in the UK is scheduled to be fully switched off by January 2027 as part of BT’s PSTN migration programme. Businesses still using ISDN or analogue phone lines will need to move to a VoIP or SIP-based system before this deadline to avoid loss of service.
If your business is still using ISDN or PSTN lines after the switch-off date, your phone system will stop working. This will affect all traditional landline services, including phones, fax machines and some PDQ card machines.
Yes. ISDN is being replaced by VoIP and SIP trunking technology. These systems use your internet connection instead of physical copper phone lines, offering more flexibility, lower costs and better scalability.
ISDN is being retired because the underlying copper network is outdated, expensive to maintain and less reliable than modern fibre and VoIP systems. The UK telecom industry is moving towards full-fibre broadband and internet-based communication systems.