Think you know the Analogue Switch-Off? For businesses and residents alike, there’s enough information being circulated to blur the line between fact and fiction.
For those who aren’t in the know, the Analogue Switch-Off is the gradual transition from analogue to digital networks for our phone lines, currently facilitated by telecom providers across the UK. Want to know the basics? Read our introductory Q&A blog.
But in the second instalment of our blog series, we’re on a mission to bust myths and reveal the truth about the Analogue Switch-Off – and what it means for you.
Myth #1 – This is only relevant for businesses
Image Credit: Nishal Pavithran
While it’s certainly true that businesses require slightly more preparation for the switch-off than the average resident, your homes will no doubt be affected.
As telecom providers, such as County Broadband, continue to upgrade analogue lines in favour of fully digital networks, residents will be provided with a digital landline to replace your existing one.
Instead of plugging the new handset into the mains, like you would have done in the past, the new digital telephony plugs directly into your internet router.
Myth #2 – I don’t need to worry about it until 2025
Image Credit: Alexander Todov
The deadline for the switch-off’s completion may be the end of 2025 but it is already well underway for both residents and businesses.
Predicting exactly ‘when’ your home or business phone lines will need upgrading, however, is harder to pinpoint. This will be down to your provider and can often be triggered by various contract milestones like an upgrade or renewal.
Right now, residents can wait until contacted by your provider to make the switch from analogue to digital telephony.
There is slightly more preparation businesses can do to get ahead of the curve so stay tuned for our upcoming blog about how businesses can capitalise on the Analogue Switch-Off and what you need to do to get ready.
Myth #3 – It’s the same as the Copper Switch-Off
Image Credit: Compare Fibre
Despite their similarities in signalling the transition from outdated to innovative technology, the analogue and copper switch-off are two very separate changes to how we stay connected.
The Analogue Switch-Off, as discussed, relates only to phones lines while the Copper Switch-Off is about the transition from copper cables to full fibre connectivity to power the nation’s broadband.
Boasting speeds of a whopping 11x faster than Superfast copper-based networks, full fibre can achieve speeds up to 1,000 Mbps which can be upgraded to 10,000 Mbps and beyond in the future.
As these two projects are working to different deadlines, some residents and businesses may have digital phone lines still being delivered over Victorian-age copper connections as opposed to full fibre, thus not receiving the full benefits of switching to digital telephony.
Myth #4 – this will affect my mobile phone
Image Credit: Denis Cherkashin
You may have also heard that mobile phone networks will also be seeing big changes in the near future. This has no relation to the Analogue Switch-Off.
3G and 2G networks are slowly being decommissioned or ‘sunset’ by various providers across the UK. This, however, has no bearing on the switch-off and neither resident nor business will need to take any action as a result.
Myth #5 – The Analogue Switch-Off doesn’t bring any benefit
Image Credit: Sigmund
Though switching to a digital phone line might not seem like the most worthwhile change, there’s a great number of benefits that accompany this upgrade.
Both residents and businesses will experience greater call clarity, increased signal strength and stability to avoid the frustration of blackouts, and even brand-new functions like anonymous caller rejection and three-way calling.
None of this, however, is worth its while if it’s not being delivered over the right broadband connection. With digital landlines plugging directly into your router, the unreliability of copper-based connections can be seen (and heard!) with ease.
This is why, to ensure you’re making the most of the Analogue Switch-Off, switching to full fibre broadband is the best way to digitally futureproof your home and business. As technology becomes ever-demanding, the speeds and robust connectivity of full fibre broadband will be nothing short of crucial to ensure your home or business is future-proofed for years to come.
Also – look out for our upcoming business-catered blog on the Analogue Switch-Off, to further help your business get ahead of the 2025 deadline or read our first blog to get up to speed with all you need to know.
Whether you’re a resident or business, you can check if you’re covered in County Broadband’s rollout by entering your postcode at http://www.countybroadband.co.uk where you can also register your interest in finding out more about the infrastructure and service.
