Navigating the Switch from Legacy Landline Phones by 2025

The telecommunications industry is preparing to embrace the biggest change in communication channels; as legacy landline phones are being rapidly replaced with IP based networks. It is projected that by 2025, the majority of voice traffic will be carried over the latest internet based telephony. This gradual but much-needed revolution is mainly fueled by increasing demand for reliable communication, faster data transmission and quality services while staying on a reasonable budget. IP-based communication systems have additional features that make them better than conventional landlines. Digital options offer excellent call quality, faster and stable connection and are affordable too. Not only this, these are more convenient and adaptable with the latest technologies such as 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT). Thus, these make an ideal choice for both commercial scales as well as domestic communications. The telecommunication landscape is going to be transformed for good in upcoming years. The BT open reach has already announced the complete switch off by December 2025. As the timeline is approaching, it is important for businesses, freelancers and startups to  shift to digital telephony.

The decline of legacy landline phones

Born out of necessity, the BT PSTN and ISDN networks have served the telecommunication world for decades. However, this older technology is no longer serving the demands of today’s hyper-connected world. It cannot provide the expected speed, flexibility and quality services as well as getting more expensive to maintain. Keeping in view these facts, the BT Openreach, the organization responsible for building and maintaining the UK’s phone network, has announced complete shutdown of analogue public switched telephone network (PSTN) by December 2025. For the purpose, the BT Openreach will stop taking new orders starting from september 2023. This means that existing hardware and network infrastructure will no longer be functional. Therefore, both commercial as well as domestic users will need to adapt to digital IP based telephony.

The complete phase out of landline phones by 2025

As a part of gradual shift to digital telephony, BT Openreach will stop taking new orders for Public switched telephone network (PSTN) from sepetember 2023. there will be complete phase out of Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) which also relies on landline cables.

Companies are building infrastructure for this biggest switchover in the favor of newer technologies such as fiber optics.

BT landline phase out – who will be affected most?

Despite the looming switch off, more than 70% of small to large scale businesses in the UK, rely on landlines for business communication. According to a survey, just one in five businesses are fully aware of this huge phase out. In addition, about 59.7% of business owners have no idea of such a massive change in upcoming years.

This switch off will not only affect the voice communication but also a few more services. For instance, it will affect CCTV cameras, alarms, door entry systems, lift lines, payment terminals and a few others. Therefore, businesses have to adopt digital IP technology by the end of 2025.

What will replace the landline phones?

The legacy landlines and ISDN are replaced by digital IP telephony. This digital telephony relies on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The latest technology has numerous advantages over legacy landlines. This feature-rich technology is easy to set up, flexible, easily scalable and also affordable. You can make phone calls through any IP enabled device such as PC, smartphones and laptops as well; making it an ideal choice for remote and hybrid working models.

What will you need to enable internet-based phone services?

One of the key requirements of VoIP phone systems or digital phone lines, is strong broadband connection. Moreover , you will need IP enabled devices, routers and adapters to switch to digital telephony.

What are the benefits of digital phone lines over conventional landlines?

The digital phone lines such as VoIP have so many incredible features that the traditional phones lack. for instance, it offers incredible features video conferencing, call forwarding, voicemail to email as well as app and software integration. Not only this, these digital options offer enhanced flexibility, easy scalability, mobility and are affordable. Traditional  landlines lack such useful features, speed, reliability and quality services.

Challenges of moving to digital phone lines

Moving to digital phone lines can bring a number of challenges for individuals and businesses. One of the major challenges is initial equipment set up and heavy installation cost of network infrastructure to support digital phone lines.

Another key consideration is to have a faster, reliable and commercial-grade internet connection. This is often problematic for far off locations and small towns.

In addition to these, the traditional phone systems require regular maintenance and time to time upgradation; which is why companies have to train employees on how to use the new technology. All of this is undoubtedly time consuming and can hinder business processes.

There might be compatibility issues with devices and communication systems, which can further complicate the transition to digital phone lines.

Furthermore, this internet-based telephony is vulnerable to security breaches and hacking, which can compromise sensitive information transmitted over digital phone lines.

It is understandable that people have doubts and concerns when it comes to shifting to new choices. The same goes with telecommunication solutions. Very often, the greatest challenge is to convince people to choose something new and emerging technology. However, based on the immense advantages of VoIP, it will soon be the foremost choice of all sorts of users no matter business or domestic users.

‍Final thoughts

With the BT ISDN switch off in 2025, the transition from landlines to digital phone lines is an inevitable step towards the future of communication. While it may present challenges, the benefits of this transition cannot be ignored. Digital phone lines are feature-rich, robust, reliable and cost-effective.

With the world becoming more and more dependent on digital technology, it’s high time to accept the change and adapt to the latest choices. Replacing landlines with digital phone lines offers seamless connectivity, enhancing productivity as well as uninterrupted quality communication.

Read More: What Opportunities Does 5G Technology Present for Businesses?

FAQs 

Are landlines being switched off in 2025?

This is a gradual yet much-needed change that traditional landline phones are being phased out in favor of digital technologies such as VOIP. BT Openreach has announced the complete phase out by the end of 2025.

What is the landline going to do by 2025?

Following the big switch from ISDN to digital options, all landlines will go by broadband connections. This will replace conventional copper wires.

What is the future of landline phone service?

Starting from September 2023, BT Openreach will stop taking further orders for new ISDN connections. This means that new connections will be based on digital telephony such as VoIP, SIP trunks and digital lines.

What happens when landlines go digital?

When landlines go digital, you will have to connect all your existing devices to the router. If not compatible, you will definitely need a new one. Furthermore, both domestic and commercial users will benefit from so many useful features that were not available with legacy landline phones.

What are 4 disadvantages of landline phones?

Landlines have served for a long time. However, one of the major issues with conventional landline phones is that they are not compatible enough to meet the demands of today’s hyper-connected world. Furthermore, these are outdated, lack various features, and need bulky infrastructure which is difficult to maintain and also quite costly.