What is The Landline Switch Off?

By Emma Lewis, bOnline

One of the biggest shifts in telecoms technology in more than 100 years is coming up fast; but many businesses and individuals still haven’t heard about it.

The fact is that in just over two years’ time traditional landlines will permanently no longer work. This is because BT Openreach is set to upgrade the old analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to a fast, secure, full-fibre digital network. It’s also connected to the government’s initiative to launch full fibre across the nation.

Known as “The Big Switch Off”, completion is expected by the end of December 2025 and means that all phone lines must be hosted over Internet Protocol (IP). It’s something that businesses in particular need to be aware of, because it’s not only phone calls…