Broadband & Mobile

Lift Emergency Phones and the PSTN Switch-Off: What Building Owners Must Do

Most lift emergency phones still dial out over the analogue PSTN, which is being retired as the UK moves to all-IP telephony. Building owners must plan migration to keep the two-way voice link working and stay compliant with BS EN 81-28.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

EPOS and Card Readers: What the PSTN Switch-Off Means for Businesses

Some till systems and card terminals still dial out over the analogue line being retired by 2027. This guide explains how to tell whether yours does, who to contact, and what migration to broadband or mobile involves.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Fax Machines and the PSTN Switch-Off: What Businesses Need to Know

Fax was built for the analogue line being retired by 2027, and it travels poorly over standard VoIP. This guide explains why, what the T.38 standard does, and the alternatives for regulated sectors still sending faxes.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Telecare Alarm PSTN Replacement Options: What Is Available

When the analogue line goes, an older personal alarm may need replacing. This guide compares IP-compatible units, 4G communicators and hybrid devices, explains who pays, and lists what to check before choosing.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Telecare and the PSTN Switch-Off: Protecting Vulnerable Users

Millions of personal alarms and fall detectors plug into the analogue phone line being retired by 2027. Here is how telecare works, what Ofcom and government expect of providers, and the steps families should take now.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Home Alarm Systems and the PSTN Switch-Off: What You Need to Do

Many monitored home alarms still dial out over the old copper phone line, which is being switched off as the network moves to all-IP by 2027. Here is how to check whether your alarm is affected and the steps to upgrade it for IP monitoring.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

VoIP Location Data and Emergency Calls: How It Works

On the old copper network, a 999 call carried your address automatically. VoIP makes location harder, which is why next generation 999 and Ofcom's location rules matter. Here is how emergency location works on a digital phone line.

16 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

VoIP and 999 Calls: What the Rules Require

Calling 999 from a VoIP line is fully supported, but the rules around connectivity, location data and power resilience differ from the old analogue network. Here is what Ofcom requires providers to do and how to prepare for the PSTN switch-off.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

VoIP and Power Cuts: What Happens to Your Phone Line

When the mains fails, a VoIP line goes silent unless backup power keeps the router and adapter running. Here is how power resilience works, who must provide a battery backup, and what households should arrange before the PSTN switch-off.

16 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

VoIP Call Quality: What Affects It and How to Improve It

A UK guide to VoIP call quality: how jitter, packet loss, bandwidth, codec choice, latency and router settings affect calls, plus practical steps and testing methods to diagnose and improve a noisy line.

16 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

What Is a PBX Phone System? A Plain English Guide

A plain-English UK guide to PBX phone systems: what PBX means, the analogue, digital, IP and cloud types, how they manage internal and external calls, who uses them and what to weigh when replacing one.

16 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

Cloud PBX Explained: What It Is and How It Works for Businesses

A UK business guide to cloud PBX: what it is, how it differs from traditional PBX and SIP trunks, the features it includes such as call routing and IVR, the cost model and how it scales as a business grows.

16 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

SIP Trunking Explained: What It Is and How It Works

A plain-English UK guide to SIP trunking: what a SIP trunk is, how it replaces ISDN, how many channels you need, the cost model and how to choose a resilient provider ahead of the all-IP switch-over.

16 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

Hosted VoIP vs On-Premise VoIP: What Is the Difference and Which Is Right for a Business?

Hosted VoIP runs the phone system in a provider's cloud, while on-premise VoIP keeps PBX hardware on site. This guide compares cost, maintenance, scalability and resilience to help businesses understand the difference.

16 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

VoIP Explained: How Voice Over Internet Protocol Actually Works

VoIP turns speech into digital packets and sends them across the internet using protocols such as SIP and codecs such as G.711. This guide breaks down how a VoIP call is built, routed and kept clear.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

What BT Digital Voice Means for Existing Customers

BT is moving existing home phone customers from the analogue PSTN to Digital Voice as the network switches off by 2027. Learn what changes for you, whether you need a new router, and the support available for vulnerable customers.

16 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

Openreach Digital Voice: What It Is and What You Need to Do

Digital Voice is the IP-based phone service replacing the analogue PSTN as Openreach retires its copper voice network by 2027. Find out how it works, what equipment you need and how power resilience is handled.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

How to Prepare for the PSTN Switch-Off: A Checklist for Homes and Businesses

With the all-IP migration completing in 2027, devices plugged into the phone line need checking now. This practical checklist covers auditing alarms, telecare, fax and EPOS, contacting providers, and who to ask for help.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

ISDN Switch-Off: What Businesses Need to Do Before 2027

ISDN business lines are being retired alongside the PSTN as the UK moves to all-IP by 2027. This guide explains what ISDN is, what replaces it, how to audit your lines, and the steps to migrate phone systems without disruption.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

What Is PSTN and Why Is It Being Switched Off?

The Public Switched Telephone Network has carried UK voice calls for over a century. This guide explains how the PSTN works, why the ageing analogue infrastructure is being retired, and what digital voice over broadband replaces it with by 2027.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

The PSTN Switch-Off 2027: What Every UK Household and Business Needs to Know

The UK's copper analogue phone network is being retired and replaced with digital voice over broadband. This guide explains what the PSTN switch-off means, who is affected, the timeline, and the steps households and businesses should take now.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Mobile Broadband for Rural Areas: 4G and 5G as an Alternative

For many rural UK households without access to full-fibre or cable broadband, a 4G or 5G mobile broadband router is the most practical current option. This article explains how to assess coverage, improve signal, and decide when satellite is the better answer.

16 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

Full Fibre Broadband Coverage in the UK: The 2026 State of Play

Full-fibre rollout has accelerated through Openreach and the altnets, narrowing the gap to the government's gigabit ambition. Here is how to read the current state of play and where the remaining work lies.

5 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Taking a Broadband Dispute to the Small Claims Court

The small claims court is an option for a broadband dispute, often after ADR or for claims within the limit. Here is when to use it, how to file, what you can claim, and what the provider is likely to do.

5 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

How to Challenge a Broadband Billing Dispute

Billing errors, wrong charges, unexpected fees or a charge after cancellation, are common and challengeable. Here is how to spot them, raise a dispute, use the Direct Debit Guarantee, and escalate if needed.

5 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Broadband Payment Protection: What Is Available and Is It Worth It

Payment protection add-ons promise to cover your bill in certain circumstances, but exclusions and value vary. Here is what such cover typically offers and excludes, how claims work, and whether it represents value.

5 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Your Broadband Price Rise Rights: A Plain English Summary

Newer contracts must set out any mid-contract price rises in pounds and pence at sign-up, replacing the old inflation-linked approach. Here is how the rules differ by contract date and what to do on a price rise.

5 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Switching Broadband Within a Fixed-Term Contract: Options and Costs

You can switch before your contract ends, but you will usually owe an early termination fee. Here is how to weigh the total cost of switching early against staying, and when paying the ETF is worth it.

5 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Temporary Broadband Solutions During a House Move

A gap of a few weeks during a move does not require a long contract. 4G and 5G portable broadband, MiFi devices and short-term deals can bridge it. Here are the options and what suits a brief period.

5 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Broadband When Moving House: Your Rights Explained

Moving house raises specific broadband rights, including whether you can leave without an exit fee if your provider cannot serve the new address. Here is what your provider must do and how to handle the move.

5 Jun 2026 · 3 min read