Automated Transcript
Hello there. I’m Steve Lowe, director of mobile within Gamma, and I’m here with my colleague Rob Kittler.
Hello. My name is Rob. I’m head of connectivity practice here at Gamma. I look after some of the products related to mobile and fixed connectivity.
Today, we’re here to talk about the implications of the PSTN switch-off, both within and beyond telecoms, and looking at some of the statistics from this Gamma report we’ve been reviewing, it’s pretty alarming.
It’s quite nerve-wracking that so many businesses aren’t even aware there’s going to be a switch-off, which can fundamentally impact their operations.
It speaks volumes when we have to survey businesses to check if they’re aware of what’s happening. Some of the statistics are quite alarming because many customers don’t realise what the switch-off means for them. As an industry, we’ve been quite vocal about this over the last couple of years. We’ve certainly been informing our partners about this, with key dates looming at the end of 2025. Despite this, the awareness levels are stark. Here at Gamma, we have many solutions like our voice over IP solution Horizon and various UCaaS plug-ins and add-ons. However, there’s a core of connectivity that won’t be around post-switch-off that needs addressing, which is why we’re discussing this now.
Yes, to be clear, we’re talking about the shutdown of the traditional fixed telephone network that people have relied on for decades. This network is disappearing quickly. Our concern is that if customers aren’t aware and don’t have actions underway, they are building up immense pressure to address this at the last minute.
We often think of PSTN as traditional phone lines in offices or homes. But a significant portion is used in things like alarms, payment terminals, and other critical systems that we take for granted but will need replacing. Some solutions we’re familiar with are business-critical, even more critical than that, encroaching on other verticals.
Absolutely. Think about the medical industry, hospitals—this really is life and death in some cases.
Indeed. Problems arise with alarms, payment terminals, door entry systems, lift lines, and emergency lines. All these need new types of terminals and connectivity as PSTN moves away from copper. At Gamma, we have various connectivity solutions, and we’ve discussed the relevance of IoT and eSIM in previous podcasts. Do you have any advice for partners out there?
Absolutely. Looking at these statistics, I need my glasses for this. According to Gamma’s survey, 78% of micro businesses (1 to 9 employees) are completely unaware of the switch-off. Small businesses (10 to 49 employees) have 52% awareness. Medium-sized businesses (50 to 249 employees) have 65% awareness. Even in very large businesses (250+ employees), only 66% are aware of the switch-off. These businesses have no idea what’s coming. Partners need to talk to their end customers, conduct audits to understand current setups, and ensure alternative plans are in place to replace PSTN connectivity.
The risk assessment is quite stark. We’ve been vocal about this at Gamma, with dedicated websites and marketing channels informing people of our solutions. We’ve discussed niche areas, but overall, it’s crucial to talk to customers, understand their billing and PSTN arrangements. The switch-off is less than two years away. It’s vital to plan, assess, and communicate with customers to mitigate last-minute issues.
Absolutely. Partners should make customers aware repeatedly. Time is running out, and it’s better to plan calmly than rush at the last minute. Customers need to audit their systems, understand what’s connected by what mechanism, and establish projects to address these issues. Partners should come and talk to us; we have solutions to help.
Considering connectivity, we have solutions like SIM cards and IoT. Hardware manufacturers likely have future-proof solutions. For PSTN numbers, we have Phone Line Plus, which can move a PSTN number to a mobile device as a softphone. We also offer Simple Swap for migrating PSTN numbers to Phone Line Plus. For other peripherals like alarms and payment terminals, our SIM cards can help, but customers should also contact their hardware providers for future-proof solutions.
Absolutely. Our key messages are awareness, awareness, awareness. Partners should ensure their customers are aware of the switch-off. Customers need to conduct audits and establish plans to replace PSTN connectivity. Partners should talk to us for solutions.
Yes, this is a significant opportunity to future-proof customer setups. We’ve been quoting statistics from a white paper—please check it out for more details. It provides guidance on auditing, planning, and researching alternative solutions. We’re all in this together. See this as an opportunity to future-proof customers.
Perfect. Thank you very much, Rob, for joining me today to discuss this very important subject. Thank you all for joining us, and look out for our other podcasts.
Thank you.
