43% of UK SMBs are yet to begin the switch to all-IP as 2025 deadline looms-
-42% don’t plan to begin the switch in 2023-
According to findings from the ‘Switch Off Hesitancy’* survey commissioned by Spitfire Network Services Ltd, a provider of telecoms and IP engineering solutions, nearly half (43%) of UK SMBs are yet to begin making the switch to all-IP ahead of the 2025 analogue and ISDN Switch Off deadline.
In addition, the survey also revealed that despite the potential impact of delaying the switch, 42% of SMBs don’t plan on beginning their shift to all-IP in 2023. Whilst 57% of SMBs have plans to make the shift this year, 12% are making plans for 2024, 14% in 2025 and 16% are yet to decide.
The survey of 400 UK-based SMBs aimed to 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 and the associated broadband internet services relying on them. With the deadline nearing and warnings about how failing to make the switch could disrupt business, Spitfire Network Services Ltd also sought to find out more about how SMBs are planning ahead.
Dom Norton, Sales Director, Spitfire Network Services Ltd, commented: “Whilst we have to look at the positive side of our findings and applaud those SMB leaders that recognise the need to make the switch early to all-IP, it is a concern that a large number of organisations are yet to begin the switch and don’t plan to this year. We understand the pressures businesses are under currently, but the disruption caused by a lack of planning could be very damaging.”
“My message for the business leaders that are perhaps considering making the switch next year or in 2025 is to reconsider. By getting prepared and making it a priority for this year, businesses will be in a better position,” commented Harry Bowlby, Managing Director, Spitfire Network Services Ltd. “With a deadline of 2025, I can understand the temptation not to make the switch to all-IP a business priority, but doing so means you are playing catch up.”
For more information about Spitfire Network Services Ltd and the Switch Off, visit www.spitfire.co.uk.
*In total, 400 respondents representing UK SMBs were surveyed throughout November and December 2022.
About Spitfire Network Services Ltd
Spitfire has been providing business internet and telecoms services from our central London offices for more than 30 years.
With an emphasis on engineering skills and customer service, we aim to build long-term business relationships with our clients – delivering innovative, award-winning solutions and significant cost savings.
This approach has seen us grow from a modest start-up to a business with more than £23m turnover and over 100 staff.
