In 2027 BT Openreach will close down landline phone systems, but it is possible to future proof phone systems now according to one West Lothian based business.
It is 150 years to the day since Alexander Graham Bell first made the first phone call, and now lines are to go silent unless action is taken to preserve access.
The inventor was born in Edinburgh and obtained a patent for “transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically” on 7 March 1876. Three days later he made the first ever phone call to his assistant Thomas Watson, for ever transforming communication.
BT OpenReach has announced it will close downtime the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN), the technology behind analogue landline phones. Any equipment using this network will stop working next year – and this could include security alarms and door entry systems linked to CCTV. A West Lothian company, Workflo Solutions, says it can help the transition by helping people to move to a full-fibre connection – “the next generation of business communication”.
Workflo Solutions
Workflo Solutions’ managing director Michael Field said; “This change has been deemed necessary because the network of traditional copper lines is no longer equipped to handle the demands of today’s advanced digital world. Bandwidth limitations restrict its ability to support features such as video conferencing and data sharing – crucial tools for modern businesses. And maintaining this ageing infrastructure has become increasingly expensive and impractical.
“That iconic dial tone, the audio signal that once indicated when the exchange was ready for a number, is set to go silent in just a matter of months. So it is imperative that businesses act now to avoid disruption as the UK moves to a fully digital telecommunications system.
“The 150th anniversary of the first telephone call serves as an important reminder of just how reliant we have become on instant, uninterrupted communications. The future is calling, but if you’re unsure what you need to do to keep up with these technological developments, don’t worry. Workflo Solutions is offering free assessments to help guide businesses through this important transition to ensure the changeover is as seamless as possible.”
