Businesses are ‘woefully undeprepared’ for a nationwide digital switchover that will lead to the redundancy of IT systems dependent on copper wire web connections, a West Lothian tech firm has claimed.
Workflo Solutions says companies must ‘act now’ to ensure the smooth running of services after the planned shut down of the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) by BT Openreach in January next year.
Sectors heavily reliant on traditional telephony, such as healthcare, telecare and security, are particularly vulnerable to the planned closure of the PTSN network, the firm warned.
Any equipment that currently uses the PSTN will stop working in January 2027. From phone lines to security alarms, door entry systems to CCTV, any technology that relies on the old copper lines will be affected.
Michael Field, the firm’s managing director, said; “For sectors heavily reliant on traditional telephony, such as healthcare, telecare and security, it is essential that their critical services remain uninterrupted while alternative solutions are implemented. They need to act now to ensure a smooth transition to digital technologies to avoid disruption to their operations.
“Worryingly, there are still some businesses that are woefully underprepared for the switch-off. The move to IP-based networks is unavoidable, and postponing preparations might cause last-minute issues.“
He added: “So we’re urging all businesses to act now, review their current systems and begin implementing the necessary updates to ensure a seamless transition to a more advanced, efficient and versatile communication network before they get left behind.”
The PSTN switch-off has been deemed necessary because the network of traditional copper lines is no longer equipped to handle the demands of today’s advanced digital world.
Bandwidth limitations restrict its ability to support features such as video conferencing and data sharing – crucial tools for modern businesses. And maintaining this ageing infrastructure has become increasingly expensive and impractical.
The call was echoed by the Federation of Small Businesses.
Guy Hinks, FSB Scotland Chair, said: “We have been helping small businesses prepare for the digital switchover for more than three years now, so most will have made the necessary changes some time ago. Those in areas which are more vulnerable to Internet service disruption due to power cuts, such as rural and remote parts of Scotland, will have thought about the importance of having a power back-up in place for their digital line.
“We can advise anyone who is self-employed or running a small business and has not yet made the switch, but the best single piece of advice is to act now to ensure there is no interruption to the services your business relies on.”
