PSTN switch-off gets another step closer

The Mildenhall Stop Sell comes into force

The copper-based telephone network stop sell goes into its next trial phase in May 2021. Now’s the time to start planning for a super-connected digital future.

Following on from Salisbury in December 2020, Suffolk’s Mildenhall exchange will be the next location to trial the ‘stop sell’ of services which use the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). It’s the next step in the UK’s move to full fibre digital connectivity.

This new milestone is not just a heads up for those in the Mildenhall catchment. It’s a reminder that every business across the UK needs to start thinking about life beyond copper connectivity. The Mildenhall stop sell will be followed by a complete withdrawal of copper-based services from that exchange in December 2022. A national stop sell in 2023 will be followed by full switch off of PSTN and ISDN in 2025.

Are you ready to take full advantage of the exciting new world of integrated digital communications? The move to fibre doesn’t just mean faster, more reliable broadband. It means being able to work, communicate and collaborate more efficiently and effectively.

What is ‘stop sell’?
Stop sell is a ‘halfway house’ to full withdrawal. The Salisbury trial is focused on the switch to full fibre connectivity, with PSTN services being withdrawn for all homes and businesses which have access to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP). Read more in our previous blog post.

The Mildenhall trial will be more small scale, focusing on Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) products, such as ISDN. From May 2021, businesses in the Mildenhall area which have access to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), will no longer be able to get new supplies of WLR services. If you already have WLR products installed, you’ll be able to continue using them. However, you won’t be able to order new lines, working line takeovers, migrations, CP transfers or bandwidth modifications.

Unlike the roll-out of stop sell in the rest of the UK, the Mildenhall stop sell will also involve metallic path facility (MPF) copper lines and associated products. However, any customers who don’t have access to direct fibre or a dedicated ethernet connection (SOGEA) will still be able to place orders for MPF lines and products until those services become available.

Discover the benefits of Hosted VoIP
The natural successor to ISDN, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is more than an evolution. It’s a revolution. Advanced functionality comes without the need for costly investment in hardware or network infrastructure. And because VoIP systems are cloud-based, they’re easily scalable.

With VoIP you can manage calls via PCs and mobile devices. You can use advanced features such as instant messaging, video conferencing, call forwarding, automatic call routing, call transfers and three-way calling. And you can easily make changes to your network configuration via a user-friendly online portal.

Hosted VoIP is also the perfect solution to empower more flexible working, with all the benefits of advanced connectivity available to those based at home or in satellite offices.

What’s the next step?
At Cambridge Telecom we can help you successfully navigate the journey to fibre connectivity. If your telecoms contract is up for renewal, now’s a good time to look at moving across to single order broadband or a Hosted VoIP solution. Even if your contract has a while to run, it’s a smart move to start thinking about the switch to digital right now. That way you can make sure the transition is less disruptive and that your communications are future-proofed.

Find out what solutions are available in your area to meet your business needs and budget. Call our sales team on 01223 661636 or email enquiries@cambridgetelecom.com