Spitfire Network Services Ltd ‘Switch Off Hesitancy Survey’: Analogue Switch Off SMB Elephant in the Room

-72% of UK businesses still don’t view the PSTN Switch Off as a high priority-

-Staggering 42% of businesses weren’t aware of the Switch Off at all-

-Failure to act leaves UK SMBs open to disruption-

Nearly three quarters (72%) of UK SMBs still don’t consider the PSTN Switch Off a high business priority despite being warned about the impact of failing to switchover before the 2025 deadline. This is according to data from the ‘Switch Off Hesitancy’* survey commissioned by Spitfire Network Services Ltd, a provider of telecoms and IP engineering solutions.

The survey of 400 UK-based SMBs also revealed a staggering 42% of businesses aren’t aware of the Switch Off, and the impact delaying a switch to IP could have on their business operations.

The ‘Switch Off Hesitancy’ survey sought to better understand the plans of business leaders for the Switch Off, which relates to the end of all legacy analogue and ISDN telephone networks in the UK. With the 2025 deadline fast approaching, business leaders have been warned about how a lack of action or delay in making the switchover could cause major disruption to their business operations.

Dom Norton, Sales Director, Spitfire Network Services Ltd, commented: “It has been very interesting to understand where SMBs are regarding the Switch Off – their thoughts, plans and reasoning behind their actions. We have really been engaging with customers and prospects to offer guidance around the Switch Off because we know the impact inaction could have. Businesses could quite literally be cut off. To see that a significant number of business leaders are yet to consider the Switch Off as a high priority is concerning. Clearly more needs to be done to make leaders aware of their need to act.”

“There is no escaping the fact that the SMB sector appears to be ignoring the rather large telecoms elephant in the room – the analogue and ISDN Switch-Off, 2025,” commented Harry Bowlby, Managing Director, Spitfire Network Services Ltd. “Our advice is don’t let the Switch-Off creep up on you and leave your business exposed – make the smart move and get the ball rolling today.”