Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • News
Surveys
Data & Networks
Information Management
Software & Systems
Corporate Office

Only one in five firms is aware of ‘Big Switch Off’

Open-access content Thursday 25th November 2021
Authors
Facilitate Team
web_phone_iStock-641972974.png

iStock

Only one in five businesses is fully aware that they will have to swap to fully digital networks when the traditional phone landline service stops in 2025.

A survey by B2B telecom service provider National Business Communications reveals that 59.7 per cent of respondents had no idea that the analogue public switched telephone network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) would stop in 2025, and that all UK phone lines would have to be digital, routing all calls over Internet Protocol (IP).

The survey questioned 72 facilities managers, office managers, building managers, business owners, directors and HR managers. It indicates that although the Covid-19 pandemic had prompted businesses to use different communication methods such as Microsoft teams and Zoom, 69.5 per cent of UK businesses were still using landlines.

The survey also reveals that mobile phones and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) were the main alternatives businesses said they would use to make calls without landlines. It found that 86.2 per cent said they would make calls via mobiles phones, while 62.5 per cent said they would use VoIP. Around 4 per cent of respondents said they are not yet sure what they would use.

National Business Communications said that businesses must begin thinking about switching to cloud-based technologies now, and plan migration to a single IP core network, replacing all legacy networks to create a fully digital network

“Businesses need to start preparing for the switch-off now,” said John Griffiths, chairman of National Business Communications. “We anticipate a hold-up in 2025 due to unprepared businesses, which may mean the industry won’t be able to keep up with the number of last-minute orders, possibly leaving businesses without a service.”

The ‘Big Switch Off’ could also affect non-voice services such as CCTV, alarms, faxes, EPOS machines and door-entry systems, said National Business Communications.

Griffiths added: “Although this may sound scary to businesses who still depend on landlines, there are alternatives such as VoIP and the transition can be made smoothly.”

Image credit | iStock

 

Today’s top news stories

Discrimination concept LGBT

1 in 5 workplaces do not have LGBT support policies

One in five (21%) workplaces do not have any policies in place to support their lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) staff at work, according to a new poll published this week.
Surveys
Thursday 30th June 2022
Open-access content
chefs working in a kitchen © Shutterstock

3 key priorities to save UK hospitality businesses

The profitability of hospitality businesses across the UK is “plummeting”, according to a new survey by the British Beer and Pub Association, British Institute of Innkeeping and UKHospitality.
Surveys
Thursday 30th June 2022
Open-access content
Royal College of Physicians reappoints CBRE to TFM contract at its HQ

Royal College of Physicians reappoints CBRE to TFM contract at its HQ

CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) has been reappointed by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) to provide total facilities management (FM) at its St Andrew’s Place headquarters in Regent’s Park, London.
Thursday 30th June 2022
Open-access content
Houston & Hawkes B Corp

Catering firm Houston & Hawkes achieves B Corp status

Houston & Hawkes has announced that its business has become B Corp certified,
Thursday 30th June 2022
Open-access content
web_working-from-home_credit_iStock-1210442243.png

Future of work still 'undecided'

New data from the professional body for HR and people development shows that more than three-quarters of organisations have embraced hybrid working through a mix of formal and informal arrangements.
Reports
Wednesday 29th June 2022
Open-access content
Net Zero goals are being missed.

UK is failing to meet Net Zero targets, says Climate Change Committee

A new progress report by the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) finds "major failures" in delivery programmes towards the achievement of the UK’s climate goals.
Reports
Wednesday 29th June 2022
Open-access content
Filed in:
News
Also filed in:
Surveys
Data & Networks
Information Management
Software & Systems
Corporate Office

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

Project Leader (Maternity Cover One Year Contract)

Cambridge
Circa £50,000 Pro Rata + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56378

Maintenance Supervisor

Surrey
Up to £43,000 + Excellent Package & Opportunities
Reference
56376

Regional Facilities Manager

South West England
Circa £40,000 + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56375
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

© 2022 • www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ