PSTN Switch-Off: Which Alternative Is Right for Your Business
As businesses continue to prepare for life after the PSTN switch-off, many are discovering that replacing a traditional phone line isn't a single decision. Instead, there are several connectivity and communication options available, each with its own strengths, limitations and ideal use cases.
Some organisations are simply looking for a direct replacement for existing services. Others are taking the opportunity to modernise their communications infrastructure, improve resilience, and support future growth.
So, explore the main options available, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each, to allow you to make an informed decision as you move away from your legacy services.
Understanding Connectivity, Telephony and PSTN Dependencies
Historically, businesses typically purchased broadband and telephone services together through a single line connection. The PSTN network carried voice calls, while broadband services were delivered alongside it.
As the PSTN is withdrawn, these services are becoming separate decisions. Organisations now need to consider both how they connect to the internet and how they communicate with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
In most cases, businesses will require:
A connectivity solution that provides internet access, such as SOGEA, FTTP or Dedicated Leased Line.
A telephony solution that enables users to make and receive calls, such as Digital Voice or Hosted Telephony.
This shift gives organisations far greater flexibility than was previously available. Rather than being tied to a single service, businesses can choose the combination of connectivity and communications that best supports their operational requirements, budget and future ambitions.
However, before evaluating the available options, it is important to understand that telephone services are not always the only systems affected by the PSTN withdrawal.
Business-Critical Services That Could Be Affected
For many organisations, the biggest challenge is not replacing a telephone line. It's identifying the business-critical services that still depend on the PSTN network.
Whilst voice services are the most obvious dependency, many businesses also rely on legacy connectivity for operational systems that may not receive the same level of attention during a migration project.
These can include:
Intruder and fire alarm signalling
Payment terminals
Lift emergency phones
Door entry and access control systems
CCTV connectivity
It's not uncommon for organisations to believe they have fully migrated away from traditional phone services, only to discover essential systems still rely on PSTN infrastructure.
Before selecting a replacement solution, businesses should take the opportunity to review every service currently connected to their existing telephone lines. Doing so helps reduce the risk of disruption and ensures that any migration supports both day-to-day operations and long-term business objectives.
Choosing the Right Replacement Strategy
Once you've identified any services that rely on the PSTN network, the next step is determining the combination of connectivity and communications solutions that best meets your operational requirements.
The following options represent the most common approaches businesses are considering as they move away from legacy PSTN services.
Connectivity Options
Option 1: SOGEA Broadband
Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SOGEA) has emerged as one of the most common replacements for traditional broadband services. Unlike older products that relied on an analogue phone line, SOGEA provides broadband as a standalone service.
The technology uses fibre connectivity to the local street cabinet before utilising existing copper infrastructure for the final connection to the premises. This approach enables businesses to retire traditional telephone lines without necessarily moving to full fibre connectivity.
Strengths
For many organisations, SOGEA provides a practical and cost-effective route away from PSTN-dependent services. It is widely available and delivers sufficient performance for many day-to-day business activities.
Key strengths include:
Lower monthly costs compared to many full fibre services.
Widely available across much of the UK.
Straightforward migration from existing broadband services.
Suitable for email, web browsing, cloud applications and VoIP services.
Typically requires less installation work than some fibre deployments.
Weaknesses
While SOGEA removes reliance on a traditional phone line, it still relies on copper cabling for part of the connection. As a result, its performance and long-term scalability are more limited than full fibre alternatives.
Potential drawbacks include:
Lower maximum speeds than FTTP.
Performance can vary depending on line quality and distance to the cabinet.
Less future-proof than all-fibre infrastructure.
May become restrictive as bandwidth demands increase.
Continues to rely on ageing copper infrastructure.
Option 2: FTTP (Full Fibre Broadband)
Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), often referred to as Full Fibre, delivers a fibre optic connection directly into a business premises. Unlike SOGEA, there is no copper infrastructure involved in the broadband connection.
As businesses become increasingly dependent on digital services, cloud platforms, collaboration tools and hosted solutions, FTTP is widely regarded as the most future-ready form of connectivity currently available.
Strengths
The primary appeal of FTTP is not simply speed. Full fibre also provides greater consistency, resilience and capacity, making it well suited to organisations that expect their connectivity requirements to grow over time.
Key strengths include:
Fibre optic connectivity directly to the premises.
Significantly higher download and upload speeds.
Greater reliability due to the removal of copper infrastructure.
Better support for cloud-based applications and hosted services.
More capable of supporting hybrid working and video collaboration platforms.
Highly scalable as business requirements evolve.
Considered the most future-ready broadband option available today.
Weaknesses
Although FTTP offers significant advantages, it may not be the right fit for every organisation. Businesses should consider both their current requirements and future plans before investing.
Potential drawbacks include:
Higher monthly costs than SOGEA.
Availability can vary depending on location.
Installation may require additional engineering work.
Some organisations may struggle to justify the additional investment if connectivity demands are relatively modest.
Option 3: Dedicated Leased Lines
For organisations that view connectivity as a business-critical service, a leased line provides a dedicated internet connection that is not shared with other users. Unlike broadband services such as SOGEA or FTTP, a dedicated leased line is exclusively allocated to a single business, helping to deliver consistent performance and greater control over network capacity.
Dedicated leased lines are commonly used by organisations that depend heavily on cloud applications, support large numbers of users, operate multiple locations or require high levels of reliability. For these businesses, connectivity is often a strategic asset rather than simply a utility.
Strengths
The primary advantage of a leased line is the level of performance and assurance it can provide. As businesses become increasingly reliant on digital services, many organisations view dedicated connectivity as an investment in productivity, resilience and future growth.
Key strengths include:
Dedicated connectivity exclusively for your business.
Consistent performance that is not affected by neighbouring users.
Symmetrical download and upload speeds.
Suitable for cloud-based applications, hosted services and large file transfers.
Typically backed by business-grade service level agreements (SLAs).
Highly scalable as connectivity requirements increase.
Well suited to organisations with demanding operational requirements or multiple sites.
Weaknesses
While leased lines provide significant benefits, they are not the right fit for every organisation. Businesses should weigh the additional cost against their operational requirements and growth objectives.
Potential drawbacks include:
Higher monthly costs than broadband-based alternatives.
Installation times can be longer than SOGEA or FTTP services.
May provide more capacity than some smaller organisations require.
Telephony Options
Option 1: Digital Voice
Digital Voice services provide the closest equivalent to a traditional phone line in a post-PSTN world.
Instead of routing calls through the analogue telephone network, Digital Voice uses an internet connection to deliver telephone services. To users, the experience can feel very similar to a traditional landline, but the underlying infrastructure is entirely different.
For many organisations, Digital Voice represents a simple way to retain traditional calling functionality while moving away from legacy technology.
Strengths
Digital Voice is particularly attractive to businesses that want continuity and a relatively straightforward migration from existing services.
Key strengths include:
Allows businesses to retain existing telephone numbers.
Familiar calling experience for users.
Relatively simple migration from traditional telephony.
Compatible with both SOGEA and FTTP connectivity.
Supports the move away from legacy PSTN infrastructure.
Weaknesses
Whilst Digital Voice modernises how calls are delivered, it does not necessarily transform communications in the same way as cloud-hosted platforms.
Potential drawbacks include:
Dependent on internet connectivity.
Generally offers fewer advanced features than hosted telephony solutions.
May not support long-term communications strategies as effectively as cloud platforms.
Some legacy devices and services may require replacement or reconfiguration.
Option 2: Hosted Telephony
Hosted Telephony takes a different approach to business communications.
Rather than running a phone system from hardware located within the office, a hosted solution operates entirely through the cloud. Employees can make and receive calls from desk phones, laptops, smartphones and other connected devices, providing a far greater degree of flexibility than traditional systems.
For many organisations, hosted telephony is not simply a replacement for a phone system but part of a wider digital transformation strategy.
Strengths
Hosted telephony solutions are designed to support modern working practices and provide significantly more functionality than many traditional telephone systems.
Key strengths include:
Supports hybrid and remote working.
Enables calls from multiple devices and locations.
Reduces reliance on on-site telephone hardware.
Provides advanced call routing and management features.
Can scale quickly as employees join or leave the business.
Supports business continuity by reducing dependency on a single physical location.
Often integrates with wider communication and collaboration platforms.
Weaknesses
The additional functionality and flexibility offered by hosted telephony may not always be necessary for every organisation.
Potential drawbacks include:
Greater reliance on a reliable broadband connection.
Users may require training to make the most of available features.
Existing processes may need to be reviewed or adapted.
Upfront planning is often required to ensure a successful migration.
Some businesses may not immediately utilise the full capabilities available.
Which Option Is Right for Your Business?
There is no single solution that will suit every organisation. The right approach depends on your current requirements, future plans and the role that connectivity and communications play within your business.
Organisations looking for a straightforward and cost-effective migration may find that SOGEA and Digital Voice provide everything they need to move away from legacy PSTN services.
Businesses that rely heavily on cloud applications, collaboration platforms and digital services may benefit from the additional performance and scalability offered by FTTP.
For organisations where connectivity is business-critical, particularly those supporting large numbers of users, multiple locations or demanding operational environments, a leased line may provide the performance, consistency and service assurances required.
When it comes to telephony, some businesses simply want a familiar replacement for their existing phone services. Others are using the PSTN switch-off as an opportunity to adopt hosted telephony, enabling greater flexibility, improved collaboration and support for hybrid working.
In reality, many organisations will choose a combination of connectivity and telephony solutions.
The most appropriate solution will depend on your connectivity requirements, communication needs, business-critical systems and long-term objectives. Before making a decision, organisations should ensure they fully understand any services that currently rely on PSTN infrastructure and how those services will be supported in the future.