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As the UK transitions to a more digital communication system, with BT taking the lead on the country鈥檚 transition, we can learn from the rest of the world on what the transition to IP really means. Neighbouring countries, such as Spain, Portugal, France and Poland have steadily been making the move towards digital phone lines and UK businesses can learn from their advancements.听

Lauren Davies of comments: 鈥淭he world is moving towards more VoIP and digital connectivity. Businesses and individual consumers will, by 2027 have to change as the landline switch off rolls out and moves us all to digital phonelines. Preparing now is one of the best steps you can take, whether you are a homeowner, business or otherwise.鈥�

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The 2027 Switching Off

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By 2027, Openreach will decommission its analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) infrastructure, migrating all phone lines in the UK to a digital successor. Consequently, businesses must brace themselves for these changes and update their communication systems with Internet Protocol (IP) or Voice over IP (VoIP) platforms as part and parcel of their digitisation efforts.

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Switching to IP Phone Systems

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However, even though the switch-off is happening in a couple of years, businesses can no longer buy standard landline contracts or PSTN-enabled equipment such as old phones or faxes. Making such enormous switches within a short period may appear like an intimidating process but it鈥檚 not unique to Britain. In some parts of the world, this process has already been completed. In fact, there are a lot of things that can be learned by UK businesses from their neighbouring countries.听

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Leading Countries in Terms of Digital Switchover

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The digital switchover is happening across the globe at top speed.

This is due to the obsolescence of analogue networks and the need for modern business requirements that necessitate up-to-date infrastructure. The Netherlands successfully completed this changeover just like Estonia did too. During its three-year transition in 2017, Estonia鈥檚 infrastructure company Telia switched off the copper-based network upon replacing a large amount of telephone stations with VoIP ones. The Netherlands started in 2006 and finalised its migration only a couple of years ago.

Europe鈥檚 VoIP Progress

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Several other European countries have also started this process. By 2020, Spain had turned over 80% of their copper networks to the digital successor and Portugal had reached 60%. This is besides the likes of France, Poland or Sweden which are well on the way to switching too.听

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Digital Phone System Switch in Asia

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In Asia, for example, Singapore, its infrastructure company Singtel completely put off its copper network in 2020 whilst Japan plans to do so by this year (2024). In contrast, Openreach in the UK only started disconnecting copper wire-based PSTN in 2023 and is aiming to have the majority of UK residents switched to a digital line before January 31st, 2027.

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Lessons from PSTN Switchover in Norway

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The digital transformation of Norway鈥檚 leading telecommunications provider, Telenor, can provide valuable insights for the UK. In its latest report for the second quarter of 2024, Telenor outlines its focus not only on the modernisation of network infrastructure but also strengthens its defences against digital threats.

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Preventing Fraud and Boosting Cybersecurity

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In their report, Telenor highlights one major victory in cybercrime prevention. The company claims that it has successfully blocked more than one billion fraud cases coming through several platforms; such as online websites, phone calls and SMS messages.

British Telecommunication (BT) could learn from Telenor in protecting its networks as current services are transformed from copper-based wire products into digital alternatives.

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Investment in Innovative Technologies

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Fighting cyber threats forms part of a broad strategy by Telenor aimed at creating an enhanced digital environment across all industries. The importance of investment in new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) is highlighted by the company.听

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Synergies Between Strategic Partnerships and Cloud Technology

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Telenor鈥檚 focus on digitisation is also seen from investments made in some key technology sectors. A landmark event was when they invested in Skygard, a data center business that fits into Telonor鈥檚 wider goal of improving their data management capabilities as well.

Moreover, Amazon Web Services (AWS), which will include AWS鈥� sovereign-by-design technology will grow their relationship with Telenor. The intention of this collaboration is to enhance Telenor鈥檚 sovereign cloud capabilities thereby facilitating the digital transformation efforts.

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Telenor鈥檚 Experience Can Give Guidance on The UK鈥檚 Digital Transition

The experience gained by Telenor has much to teach as the UK moves ahead with its plans to phase out traditional landline services by 2027. By looking into cyber security concerns, strategic use of artificial intelligence and partnerships with leading tech companies, BT and other telecom operators will be able to learn from their experience.

As more crime goes online with the process of digitisation, customer protection will no longer be enough; rather, there is a need for a technology-driven approach that brings benefits in terms of operational efficiency and seamless customer journey.