Guides · 4 min read
The PSTN switch-off, explained
The copper phone network is being retired across Europe. Here is what that means for consumers, businesses and critical services.
EM
Infrastructure Editor
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) — the copper-based system that has carried voice calls for over a century — is being switched off. This guide explains what is changing and why it matters.
What is happening
Operators are migrating voice services from analogue copper to digital (IP) connections delivered over broadband. Once a region is migrated, the old copper exchange equipment is decommissioned.
What to watch
- Devices that rely on a dial tone — alarms, lift phones, some medical pendants — may need upgrading.
- Resilience during power cuts changes, since IP services depend on powered equipment.
- The switch-off accelerates the move to full fibre.
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