Why is the big BT switch off delayed?
Why is the big BT switch off delayed beyond the December 2025 original deadline? Well mostly it’s because BT just aren’t ready to replace all of the existing copper services (such as the Public Switched Telephone Network-PSTN and Integrated Services Digital Network-ISDN) with replacement fibre ones. So they can’t just switch off the old network!
In essence, the delay is mainly in response to concerns raised by vulnerable people who rely on the copper network to keep them alive, healthy and monitored. These copper-based services include personal alarms which didn’t work during the initial switch-off. There are still up to 2 million people using personal alarms in the UK which rely totally on copper landlines. The new timeline aims to resolve some of the problems in order to provide a more seamless transition over to the new network.
Is that the only reason?
The simple answer is no. The main categories of reasons could be defined using Readiness, Money and COVID. The COVID pandemic substantially disrupted the ability to change things during that period, which added delays to the rollout. In terms of readiness, there are lots of areas of the country that are absolutely ready for the big switch off, but there are also areas that are still massively reliant on old copper based analogue phone lines there are also many, many people that need training to allow them to understand what is happening. Cost comes into play when businesses and residents need to switch. There is usually a cost involved in switching and not everyone is financially equipped to complete the changes at the same time.
When is the new BT switch off delayed until?
The current deadline is now set to 31st January 2027, more than a year later than the original 2025 deadline. It does mean that businesses (and residential customers) have quite a bit more time to get their houses in order to switch to newer, fibre-based internet and telecoms solutions.
Why can’t I keep my old service?
Copper is old technology. Fibre is the replacement technology. BT can’t afford to continue to maintain and support both networks without massive price hikes for all customers. So they have to decide a date by which everyone must transition.
What should I do to prepare for the new deadline?
What should I do to prepare for the new deadline? If you’re a business, the answer is quite simple, get on with bringing in the new type of connection that suits your requirements IF it’s available in your area. You don’t want to be left rushing around at the deadline to try to get something in place – there will be lots of businesses that do that and everyone will be competing for limited installation slots. How should you do this?
- Work with your existing connectivity provider (or the Digital Group!) to assess your current systems. Find out what type and speed of connection you are running and what things within your premises rely on the connections you have. Think about things like fax machines, lift alarms, premises alarms that all might be using your phone lines to communicate with the outside world.
- Work with your provider to research which type of new connection would be suitable for your business. You should base this on speed and budget.
- Make a migration plan. Map out the steps required to transition from old tech to new and include timelines in this plan. Think about getting rid of old fax machines and lift alarms sooner rather than later. Get those dealt with so that the eventual switch is much easier.
- Think about training, if you are changing equipment and so on, might your staff need to be re-trained on how to use the new equipment or service?
- Don’t delay. Just because BT are allowing people to delay, doesn’t mean that you should. Seriously, what are you still waiting for?!
Summary
As we’ve reiterated several times through this article, we genuinely believe that the right thing for businesses to do is to ignore the delay. Get your plan in place despite the delay, don’t wait for it to bite you on the bum. If the newer technologies are available in your area, which not start planning your switch today?
Get in touch with Digital Exchange to discuss how we can help you to get rid of this headache by helping you transition seamlessly to newer connectivity products! Feel free to drop us a line via the contact page here or call us on 01142203000. Digital Exchange have been installing and configuring connectivity solutions for businesses in Sheffield and across the UK for over 20 years. Talk to our experts about how we might be able to help you.
