The PSTN Switch-Off:

The pstn switch off is nearly here: Book a PSTN assessment

As legacy phone lines near retirement, now is the time to future-proof your communications. Learn how Trig Point Consulting and its dedicated SORT team are supporting businesses through the PSTN switch-off and beyond.

The PSTN and ISDN switch-off is fast approaching. Having already been given an extended lifeline by BT Group, all PSTN and ISDN services will be permanently withdrawn by January 2027.

For decades, businesses have relied on the PSTN network for voice communications, while ISDN, introduced in 1985, provided a digital evolution that improved call quality and data transmission. Together, these technologies have supported critical business operations for more than 40 years.

How Could the PSTN Switch-Off Affect Your Business?

The PSTN switch-off is more than just a telecommunications change. Ofcom warned in early 2026 that PSTN technology is “beyond its intended lifespan and is becoming increasingly unreliable”. Despite this, around 23% of the 1.5 million remaining active PSTN lines are still connected to business premises.

This highlights that many organisations continue to rely on PSTN services, often through business-critical systems and infrastructure that may not be immediately obvious. Now is the time for businesses to asks themselves:

If your business relies on any of these systems, the next step is understanding the potential impact the PSTN switch-off could have on your business.

Many businesses have embedded PSTN and ISDN connectivity into critical business systems. If these services are not identified and migrated before the switch-off, they may cease to function. Failure to address these dependencies could result in:

There is also a growing financial incentive to act now. To accelerate migration away from legacy services, Openreach announced a series of increases to its copper-based line rental products in November 2025, resulting in PSTN rental costs effectively doubling over the course of a year.

Wholesale rental prices have increased by

  • 20%+ in April 2026
  • 40%+ in July 2026
  • 40%+ in October 2026

Many organisations remain unaware of the extent to which PSTN services support their operations. Identifying these dependencies now is critical to avoiding unnecessary costs, disruption and last-minute migrations before January 2027.

With the January 2027 deadline fast approaching, what can businesses do to prepare for the switch-off?

Introducing SORT

The PSTN and ISDN switch-off can be difficult to navigate, particularly when dependencies exist across multiple sites, departments and business-critical systems. That’s why we created SORT (Switch-Off Response Team), a specialist team dedicated to helping businesses understand their exposure to the switch-off and prepare for migration with confidence.

Our approach is independent, impartial and vendor-neutral. Our focus is on identifying risks, understanding business impact and providing recommendations tailored to your specific needs.

 

Our approach:

Respond – We respond to your enquiry by analyzing your bill and identifying any systems or processes at risk.

 

Examine – We examine any at-risk systems and evaluate the impact they have on your business.

 

Diagnose – We provide a clear report showing which systems are affected and how critical they are to your organisation.

 

Prescribe – We provide independent, vendor-neutral recommendations tailored to your specific needs.

 

How Our Assessment PSTN Helps

Our SORT team helps organisations identify hidden dependencies, understand business risks and create a clear path towards migration.

Your PSTN assessment includes:

  • Identification of PSTN & ISDN-dependent services.
  • Analysis of operational and compliance risks.
  • Review of critical business systems and processes.
  • Prioritised findings based on business impact.
  • Independent, vendor-neutral recommendations.
  • A practical roadmap for next steps.

By the end of the assessment, you’ll have a clear understanding of your exposure and the actions required before the January 2027 switch-off.

Ready to understand your PSTN exposure?

Don’t wait until the January 2027 switch-off to discover that critical services are affected.

Our SORT team will identify PSTN-dependent systems, assess business impact and provide a clear migration roadmap.

Book Your PSTN Assessment

Book an appointment here