Best alternatives to the PSTN

When the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is retired in 2027, what will replace landline phones? Here, we’ll go through the best PSTN alternatives.

While VoIP is best for voice calls, FTTP and SoGEA are effective broadband options.

VoIP for phone calls

As the name suggests, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows users to make phone calls over the internet instead of using traditional landlines. All that’s needed is a broadband router and a connected device, which could be a laptop, mobile phone or tablet.

It converts audio into digital data packets and transmits them securely through the internet, making it easier and cheaper to connect calls anywhere in the world.

Some of the top benefits of VoIP are:

• Cost-efficiency — VoIP typically costs less than traditional PSTN services, especially for long-distance or international calls
• Flexibility — you can make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection, supporting hybrid and work-from-home practices
• Advanced features — VoIP offers a wide array of features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and video conferencing
• Scalability — it’s easy to add or remove lines as your business grows or experiences seasonal demand

As landlines are being phased out, signing up for a VoIP service is definitely worth considering. For more information, see our full page on hosted VoIP phone systems.

Top broadband alternatives

These are the best types of broadband that are not affected by the PSTN switch off:

1) FTTP 

Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) is a broadband technology that delivers internet connectivity through optical fibres directly to your premises.

Unlike Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC), it uses fibre cables for the entire connection, avoiding the need to transmit over the PSTN at all.

This ensures ultrafast and reliable internet speeds, making it a top choice for businesses with data-intensive operations.

The main benefits of FTTP include:

• Ultrafast speeds — FTTP offers lightning-fast download and upload speeds of one gigabit per second (1 Gbps), ensuring smooth online operations and efficient data transfer
• Reliability — fibre optic connections are less prone to interference and provide consistent performance than copper wires
• Low latency — ideal for video conferencing, online collaboration
• Future proofed — FTTP not only eliminates reliance on the PSTN, but it’s ready to handle speeds of up to 10 Gbps, making it a long-term investment

FTTP is an excellent choice for businesses that rely heavily on internet services, such as those with heavy reliance on software, data and the cloud.

Head over to our dedicated page to learn more about our full-fibre broadband services.

2) SoGEA

Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SoGEA) is another broadband solution that replaces the PSTN. It provides a fast, reliable internet connection using digital technology.

Traditionally, broadband connections worked by installing a PSTN phone line and adding a broadband connection on top of it. However, SoGEA is a data-only service, so it requires just one connection.

It uses fibre optic cables to the street cabinet, then relies on copper phone lines to connect to your home or office, avoiding the need for a landline.

The key benefits of SoGEA are:

• Fast and reliable — SoGEA can offer competitive internet speeds of around 80 Mbps, making it a reliable choice for many businesses
• Cost savings — by removing the need for a landline, SoGEA can be more cost-effective than broadband that relies on the PSTN
• Accessible — Unlike FTTP which is not yet available nationwide, SoGEA can be installed anywhere in the UK, making it more accessible

Our dedicated page explains this in more detail, including an overview of our SoGEA broadband packages.

Is FTTC broadband a good option?

Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) has been a common way of accessing connectivity for some time. It enables connectivity via fibre-optic cables from the telephone exchange to the roadside cabinet, before using copper telephone wires to the relevant business.

It is therefore similar to SoGEA. The key difference, though, is that SoGEA uses the copper cables to transmit signals to a master socket in your premises, while FTTC uses the cables to your phone line.

Given its reliance on phone lines, FTTC will be impacted by the switch off.

If you currently have FTTC, your broadband won’t be immediately affected by the switch off. The copper lines running from your premise will be kept live until you can access the new full fibre service, even after the switch off date.

Nonetheless, it is still worth looking into alternative options in case you can get a better, more future-proofed solution for your business’s connectivity.

PSTN switch off solutions from Crystaline

Each of the internet-based communications technologies covered on this page is available through Crystaline.

To receive independent, expert advice on the best solution for your business’s requirements, please get in touch through this contact form.