Technology & Innovation - Issue 11

T he long-awaited Network Switch Off by BT and other operators in the UK is fast approaching. As the landscape of telecommunications continues to evolve, schools find themselves at a crossroads, needing to transition from the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to a fully digital network. The good news for schools that have yet to make the move to new digital networks is that the originally planned deadline for switch-off has been delayed fromDecember 2025 to January 2027. At a time of budget constraints, this 13-month reprieve will likely be welcome news to many schools. Why themove to digital? PSTN and ISDN lines, which have served as the resilient backbone of the UK’s phone network for decades, are being phased out to make way for modern communication technologies. In some cases, the copper cabling used to deliver these lines dates back to the 19th century, and is showing signs of age. As technology has rapidly evolved – from smartphones, to apps, the Cloud, video calls, and latterly the Internet of Things – the limitations of these older networks have become increasingly apparent. Replacing the architecture of these networks with fibre lines, and transitioning to Internet Protocol (IP)-based communications isn’t merely an upgrade; it’s a much- needed leap forward into a more efficient, flexible, and feature-rich era. This transition to an all-digital communications infrastructure isn’t unique to the UK. Countries like Germany, Japan, and Sweden are leading the charge, while Estonia and the Netherlands have already switched off their PSTN networks. It’s a global trend, underscoring the urgency with which schools should be planning for a digital future. The impact on schools It’s common to find PSTN and ISDN lines installed in schools. ISDN lines are typically used for delivering voice traffic to school phone systems. PSTN lines, on the other hand, are commonly used for emergency phone lines in lifts, and for connecting fire/intruder alarms, door intercoms, barrier gates and certain types of broadband lines, such as FTTC or ADSL. It’s imperative that any school operating with technology connected to any of these lines takes action before BT switches them off in January 2027. While 2027 might seem a long way off, the complexities and costs associated with transitioning to a new digital network necessitate early planning. It’s not merely about phone calls; it’s about reviewing everything connected to your phone lines – including alarms, lifts, phone systems and broadband. Schools that have already completed, or started their transition are benefiting from reduced costs, improved communications and the efficiencies that technology upgrades deliver. With technology and network prices continuing to rise, those schools that delay making the move to new digital networks risk paying a premium as the switch-off date draws closer. Minimum requirements Robust internet connectivity plays a more crucial role than ever before. It’s the very cornerstone of a functioning Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system, as well all of your other interconnected services, which will now operate via broadband connections in place of the copper cabling of old. The importance of having schools equipped with high-speed, resilient broadband connections isn’t lost on the DfE, whose latest digital technology standards detail the minimum requirements that schools should nowmeet (see tiny.cc/T11-AI1) – which include having a full-fibre broadband connection with a failover backup line in place, should the main line ever fail. Does that mean your school needs to change its phone system?Well, that depends on the types of phone lines currently connected to your phone system, as well as the make, model and age of the system itself. All schools that presently have PSTN or ISDN “The complexities andcosts associatedwith transitioning toanewdigital network necessitate earlyplanning” NAVIGATING the network switch-off With a new era in school communications dawning, now’s the time to ensure that your school is ready to make the switch, advises Phil Allum ... 40 teachwire.net