Welp MagazineThe PTSN (Public Switched Telephone Network), or landlines, are being switched off by 2025. Back in 2015, OpenReach announced this would happen and that they would be switching to a completely digital infrastructure. Find out why analogue phone lines are being switched off, and what this will mean for you.
What Is an Analogue Phone?
An analogue phone relies on copper wires. Analogue phones, also commonly referred to as landlines, are phones which transmit voice data into electronic pulses. Across the UK, there are local telephone exchanges where landline data is sent to and from to enable two-way data exchanges for communication.
The first analog telephone was patented in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell in the US, and has since transformed and influenced the way connectivity is understood today. In the late 1980s, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) was then introduced which is a digital version of analogue phones. Even this, however, will be outdated.
By 2021, there were approximately 15 billion mobile devices and landlines operating. However, these figures are likely to change following the introduction of digital communication & mobiles which will soon take over analogue phones.
Samuel Davies of Kallyss comments: “It is amazing how far and fast technology is moving. From being able to borrow money online instantly, to being able to communicate with people on the other side of the world in seconds, the pace at which technology continues to move is as remarkable as it is beneficial to populations.”
What Will Happen to Landlines in 2025 & Why?
OpenReach has officially announced that in 2025, all landlines will be switched off. However, the introduction of other forms of communication has meant landlines are slowly becoming redundant. Consequently, landline providers will be switching to digital infrastructures in the following years to help adapt to this change.
In short, it isn’t worth landline providers time or money nowadays to continue running analogue phones when people are now using their mobiles and other devices to communicate in different ways.
How Will This Affect You?
If you currently use a landline, then you will be affected by the switch-off. However, contacting your provider should help. They will be able to switch over your contract to a new digital one so you can stay connected when the switch-off happens. Have a shop around before fully committing to a new contract, and see what new deals might be available.
What Will Replace Landlines?
Landlines will be replaced by VoIP, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (source: bOnline). This means telephone services will then be delivered via the internet. VoIP phones can be used anywhere in the world and don’t require a fixed location like traditional landlines! There are plenty of benefits to VoIP that we can look forward to, such as high-quality calls, advanced features as well as cheaper contracts.
Not only will VoIP replace landline, but SIP – or Session Internet Protocol, will too! SIP, in short, enables VoIP phones to be connected to the phone network via an IP system. This will help ease the switch of mobiles to digital connectivity.
How Do Digital Phones Work?
Digital phone systems like VoIP won’t rely on copper wires or a fixed location like traditional landlines. Instead, voice data will be converted into digital packets and sent via the internet. VoIP can be used on many devices too, such as laptops, phones, tablets and desktops. VoIP will definitely transform the way both individual’s personally connect, as well as businesses.
What Are the Advantages of VoIP?
Luckily, there are many advantages to VoIP. For example:
- Advanced features
- Higher call quality
- Flexibility over location
- Cost-effective contracts
These are just a few of the many advantages to VoIP. IP telephony is the way the world is moving, and the inevitable landline switch-off quickly approaches!
