PSTN & ISDN SWITCH OFF
As Openreach rolls out plans to switch off all old phone lines in phases mainly over the next 3 years but with a backstop of 2025 (PSTN and ISDN to those in the know), we look at the impact on door entry, access control and alarm installers, and steps they need to take.
All live and monitored assets using PSTN and ISDN lines will require adaption, so we’re going to need to talk to you about taking action so we don’t lose the connection, especially if you still have these lines for a door entry system.
What are PSTN and ISDN?
This definitely falls into the category of ‘things you didn’t know you needed to know’, but understanding the phone lines connecting your customers’ homes or businesses can help you understand the changes coming up and how they might affect you.
The UK’s telephone infrastructure started being built in 1876 and is known as the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). Since then, it has been developed and updated beyond recognition, but at its heart, it is a very old system that isn’t fit for the 21st century.
Numerous developments have been ‘bolted on’, including the first wave of broadband lines (ISDN, or Integrated Services Digital Networks) operating on the old infrastructure from the 1980’s onward.
The Switch-off
Around 20 years ago, BT announced bold plans to replace the PSTN with their ‘Network for the 21st Century’, a move calculated to save them billions over the years in the maintenance of copper lines and to provide a better performing, more reliable network.
After decades of work, the end of the PSTN is finally in view, with trials already underway in two areas and rolling out to the next batch of postcodes as early as May 2021.
How does this affects you?
You may hear about the switch off from your phone provider and your broadband provider but might not have considered that services such as door entry systems or alarms may also be using the same connection.
If you are one of the 31.7 million remaining users of a fixed line (PSTN or ISDN) you will need to move to an alternative by the time the switch off reaches your area, or risk being left with no connection.
The security risk of your customers’ alarms losing connection during the switch off is a concern for many, but it is one that can be easily avoided by taking the right steps now. A BT study showed that nearly a third of those surveyed were taking a ‘watch and wait’ approach to the switch off, but we believe that acting now will help you avoid the worry as the switch-off dates approach.
If your customers’ insurance cover or police response relies on connectivity, there is even more reason to move to a more modern device now.
How do I know which areas and customers will be affected?
Working with the manufacturers, we can provide details of which devices in your premises rely on a PSTN connection. Your can also check with their phone and/or internet provider.
Why should I check now?
You may need to swap out a lot of devices, and to save time and cost it will make sense to plan this in with preventative maintenance visits; plus you need to review your device strategy and supplier to ensure you move to the right devices.
Contact us now so that you have time to consider your options and make an informed decision.
What should I replace my existing device with?
New generation devices have been launched by both of the major suppliers and are available for installation immediately. Both suppliers have teams of advisers who can help, plus of course, you can talk to us at Radlett Group. You need to be aware that the device grading structure has changed, plus different devices have different levels of resiliency and feature sets. Clients may have specific requirements, and so might their insurers.
Any device that relies on a PSTN will stop working and will need to be replaced. It will affect ALL devices that signal through a traditional phone line, plus we know that 2G and 3G services also have a limited life. With that in mind, we strongly recommend that you look at the latest generations of devices that signal through 4G and IP.
