BT Group has raised alarms about the potential disruption of essential public services in the UK, urging key providers of critical national infrastructure to accelerate their transition from the country’s outdated copper-based telephone network to more reliable digital systems.
The current Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which underpins many public services, is aging and increasingly prone to failures as it nears the end of its operational life. BT, which plans to decommission the PSTN by January 2027, has called for service providers, especially those in healthcare, utilities, emergency services, and local government, to make the switch to digital by the end of this year to avoid service disruptions.
In 2024, BT successfully moved 300,000 business customers off legacy networks, yet it reported that 60% of critical infrastructure organizations have yet to make similar plans. These sectors must consider the potential impact on critical systems, such as water monitoring sensors, medical lines, fire and security alarms, roadside emergency phones, and some older card payment machines.
The energy sector has made the most progress in digital transition, with the water industry following closely behind. BT has highlighted that the stability, security, and efficiency offered by digital networks would provide operational benefits and minimize risks associated with the aging PSTN infrastructure.
BT Business CEO Bas Burger emphasized that continuing to rely on the aging copper network for the UK’s essential services is too risky, stressing the need for urgent action to ensure a smoother, more secure transition to digital solutions.
(BT pic).
