PSTN & ISDN Switch-off
unified-comms

The clock is ticking towards the PSTN switch-off – you need to act now

Discover how the 2027 PSTN and ISDN switch-off will impact your business. Learn what steps to take now to future-proof your communications and stay connected.

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The PSTN switch-off is coming - Is your business ready?

Openreach is permanently shutting down the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by 31 January 2027, with significant impact on UK organisations. From phone lines and broadband to critical systems like lifts, alarms, and payment terminals, everything connected to the PSTN is at risk.

If you haven’t identified and replaced your PSTN-dependent services, you could face serious disruptions: dead phone lines, offline broadband, and even customers unable to reach you.

And it’s not just voice calls — PSTN includes analogue lines, ISDN2, ISDN30, and a range of services that power essential infrastructure. Any organisation managing large estates faces a challenge against the clock to track down and replace every line. Do you know what’s connected, where, and why?

Don’t wait until it’s too late — take control now:

Not sure what the switch off means for your business?  

  • Our Asset Audit will help you to identify and review your current PSTN and ISDN estate, whether the assets are with Wavenet or another provider.
  • Whatever stage you're at currently, our dedicated team will help you assess your needs and manage a seamless migration in a way that works for your business.

Arrange your asset audit with us today and protect your business from the switch off. Call us today on 0344 863 3000 or use the form here.

Don’t wait until it’s too late - arrange your asset audit today.

Submit your details and we’ll be in touch shortly.

We’ve already replaced PSTN & ISDN services for 100s of organisations

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How will the PSTN & ISDN switch-off affect your business?

Find out in 90 seconds with our online PSTN switch-off game – it’s a minute and a half that could be a game-changer for your business.

Many organisations are vastly underestimating how hard the upcoming termination of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) could hit them. Our online PSTN switch-off game will give you a realistic perspective on how your business is likely to be affected... and what you can do now to set your mind at rest.

Does your business rely on any of these technologies?

 

Business Telephony User

Does your phone system currently rely on any of these technologies?

  • ISDN2
  • ISDN30
  • PSTN multiline

Broadband (ADSL2)

Does your broadband currently rely on:

  • ADSL2 technology

Single Analogue Exchange Lines

Does your business currently use any of these services?

  • Door Entry Systems
  • Fax Machines
  • Care Home Alarms
  • PDQ payment devices
  • Voice handsets
  • Emergency Alarms
  • Lift lines & help points

How we help

Our experts will analyse your supplier invoices to give you a full breakdown of your current WLR and ISDN estate. This includes what line type it is, what services and care levels you have, the address details, number of lines or channels and if you have any active connectivity and call data.* We then present this to you with recommendations and discuss migrating your WLR estate to a future-proof IP environment.

If you’re unable to identify your lines and what they’re being used for, we offer an on-site audit where an engineer will attend and provide a full report identifying where and what your lines are being used for. **

Once we’ve audited your current estate and established your exposure to the PSTN withdrawal we create a practical migration plan providing you with seamless, reliable, next-generation communications. We help you clarify your business objectives and minimise switchover disruption across all areas of your organisation.

*Subject to available data **subject to access and availability.

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Our migration solutions include:

SIP & IP voice solutions

A range of SIP IP voice solutions that provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional WLR assets and additional capabilities to manage inbound routing and business continuity.

SOGEA Broadband

Enables you to order Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) without a phone line – meaning you’ve quite literally got everything you need within a single order. 

Unified communications as a service (UCaaS)

Migrating to the cloud with a UCaaS is an easy and transformative way to future-proof your business, and we have a comprehensive choice of industry-leading solutions and the expertise to ensure you maximise the benefits.

Connectivity

We can also help you with cost-effective, manageable and flexible connectivity. Our SD-WAN and MPLS-based networks deliver a quality of service over the core network so that applications and data can be prioritised according to the importance within the business.

Mobile solutions

We have the most competitive commercials for mobile solutions in the marketplace today for devices, smartphones and accessories with flexible payment options and mobile device management (MDM) solutions.

Why migrate with us?

We have more than 30 years’ experience of delivering WLR fixed lines telephony and IP-based unified communications solutions for UK customers across every industry sector. Our partnerships with Openreach and market-leading unified communications providers give us the experience in both areas to manage your transition from traditional WRL fixed-line services to an all-IP environment.

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Free asset audit

Our free asset audit of your current estate establishes your exposure to the PSTN withdrawal, saving you hours of time researching the PSTN switch off.

Re-deployment

End to end expertise

From business strategy to end user support we can support your business with network upgrades, VoIP system set up and training, device compatibility checks and on-site support and trouble shooting.

Operational-resiliance

Business continuity & minimal downtime

We can schedule all upgrades to take place outside of business hours to ensure minimal downtime and test everything before the cutover to reduce any risks.

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Independent advice

Our service is fully independent so we can advise without bias towards a particular solution. Network providers often promote their own products as a vendor neutral managed service provider we can recommend the best solution for your business needs.

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Skills & expertise

As a trusted Managed Service Provider, we provide support from a large number of skilled engineers and consultants so that you get personalised responsive support.

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Public sector & complex infrastructure experience

Many larger commercial buildings and public sector organisations will have multiple phone lines, on-premises PBX systems and legacy hardware, and we can transition a plan for everything. We’re on many public sector frameworks as preferred suppliers.

What our customer say

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Bright Horizons

"Wavenet has helped to free up time as well as save us money. We are also very mindful of environmental impact, guided by our own Future Earth Green Agenda. The new Wavenet system has helped us with our commitment to minimise our carbon footprint. "Personally, I’d like to say how easy Wavenet have been to work with. As well as making my work life so much easier, Wavenet has been proactive, reliable, and collaborative throughout every stage of this process. I would not hesitate to recommend Wavenet to any organisation looking to save money, save employee time, and condense their list of suppliers, hardware and software."

Gary Phillips
Senior Global Network and Telecoms Manager at Bright Horizons

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Mothercare

"Moving away from traditional phone handsets to softphones for Microsoft Teams was a major part of our strategy as an organisation to become flexible, agile and collaborative – work on anything from anywhere with anyone and that includes accepting phone calls on the move."

Ricky Harding
Head of IT Service Delivery and Infrastructure at Mothercare Global Brand

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Canon

“Wavenet has been very professional and informative throughout the process. We are very pleased with the new system and Wavenet's help.”

Forest Heath Fasteners Ltd

Frequently asked questions

What is stop-sell?

Stop-sell applies at a premises level where that premise has access to an available FTTP product...

  • If a premise has GEA-FTTP available to order...
  • If a premise does not have GEA-FTTP available...
Why has the date of the exchange exits been moved to 31st January 2027?

Openreach ran two trial sites in Salisbury and Mildenhall to ensure the migration to an All IP network would be effective...

What if I have Telecare services?

Telecare provide emergency alarms to vulnerable customers...

If I migrate to SOGEA and then FTTP becomes available at the premises, do I need to do a second migration onto FTTP?

As part of the FTTP exchange upgrade programme, any premises enabled for FTTP should have migrated...

Are there going to be more exchanges confirmed going forwards as part of the FTTP Exchange Upgrade Programme?

Yes. Openreach has confirmed that this will most likely become a continual advancement...

Which products are affected?

The PSTN supports a number of Openreach products: WLR3 analogue, ISDN2, ISDN30, LLU SMPF, SLU SMPF, Narrowband Line Share and Classic products...

If I need to keep a copper type service, can I migrate to LLU?

In some circumstances where the customer is not in an exchange area that is impacted by the FTTP Exchange Upgrade stop-sell...

If I have a line rental and broadband service but now only require broadband, what do I do?

You can migrate over to a Single Order broadband product. The voice service will stop working...

Can I keep my current phone number?

You can keep your current phone number if you inform your service provider at point of sale...

Is there any push back on any key dates previously referenced in the roadmap due to COVID-19?

The 2027 WLR withdrawal date is not something that can be pushed back, this was defined as a necessity...

Can I migrate all of my services in bulk?

Wavenet will work alongside you to ensure all of your services migrate...

What is an ATA port?

ATA stands for Analogue Telephone Adaptor. They are used to allow end users to utilise their old hardware equipment...

If I have an ATA will I still require an IP Voice service?

Yes, your ATA will convert your analogue signals to digital IP Voice...

Will it be possible to use your own routers if they are compatible with FTTC?

Yes, if you are already on an FTTC enabled router then it will be compatible as SOGEA is built upon the same foundations...

Is there a porting process that doesn’t cut the circuit moving to VoIP?

SOGEA and FTTP orders will need to have a voice order placed alongside the migration order...

If my business relies on devices such as alarm systems, CCTV, lift lines, card payment machines etc. – will these work on the new Single Order products?

It is imperative that you contact the vendor of these devices to confirm whether they are IP-compatible or not...

After the stop-sell period can you still undertake CP to CP migrations?

Migrations between communications providers (CP) will still be available but the destination product they are migrating to will need to align with the stop-sell rules...

If I need any additional calling and network features and they sit within the affected exchanges, will these still be available?

Yes, these features will be available until the stop-sell dates, however, we would encourage that you arrange to migrate over to FTTP solutions...

What are the Single Order products and what do they do?

Alternative copper and fibre products

Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) is the fastest and most resilient all-fibre product with broadband speeds of up to 1Gbps download...

Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) is a form of fibre optic communication delivery...

Single Order G.Fast (SOGFast) is a cutting-edge technology that delivers ultrafast speeds...

Single Order GEA (SOGEA) delivering superfast speeds of up to 80Mbps...

Single Order Transitional Access Product (SOTAP) supporting non-fibre areas...

Ethernet offers a wide choice of high bandwidth, permanently-connected point-to-point services...

What’s the alternative in areas with no fibre availability?

There are a number of options, including utilising the new Single Order Transitional Access Product (SOTAP) which uses broadband...

What if I decide not to upgrade, opt out and stay with my current product portfolio?

There is no option to opt out of the withdrawal of exchanges...

Why do I need to act now?

The withdrawal of PSTN copper services has a deadline of Jan 2027...

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Don’t wait until it’s too late - arrange your asset audit today.

Submit your details and we’ll be in touch shortly.