Jan 20, 2026 | Blog, News, Voice
For decades, the UK’s traditional phone network worked quietly in the background. Landlines powered office phones, alarm systems, fire panels and entry systems with very little attention required. Most businesses installed them, trusted them, and then forgot about them.
That network has now been switched off. While you might find that your lines are still active, you need to know that they can be switched off at any time. Openreach will give notice of this switch off, but it’s better to be prepared, rather than get a nasty surprise.
The PSTN switch off deadline has passed, yet many small businesses are only just realising what that actually means for their premises. Not because they ignored the change, but because some of the most important connections were easy to miss.
If your business still relies on any form of landline connectivity, now is the time to double check that nothing critical was left behind.
Why the PSTN Switch Off Is Still a Live Issue
Although the old public switched telephone network is no longer operational, its impact is still unfolding. Many systems that once relied on analogue lines have not failed outright. Instead, they are sitting quietly, unable to communicate properly, waiting for the moment they are needed most.
This is particularly common in smaller commercial premises. While desk phones are obvious and tend to be upgraded first, other connections often remain untouched. These include alarm systems, fire panels, lift emergency phones and door entry systems that were installed years ago and have worked without complaint ever since.
The problem is not that these systems stop functioning internally. It is that they can no longer dial out reliably, which defeats their entire purpose.
The Systems Most Commonly Overlooked
In many cases, businesses are unaware that these systems even use a phone line. An intruder alarm may still arm and disarm as normal, but if it cannot communicate with a monitoring centre, it offers far less protection. Fire alarm panels may pass internal checks while being unable to send alerts externally. Door entry systems can fail at the exact moment access needs to be controlled.
These connections are often hidden away in plant rooms or comms cupboards. They may have been installed by a different supplier than your current telecoms provider, which makes them even easier to forget when changes happen.
This creates a serious risk, not only in terms of safety but also compliance. Many of these systems are subject to regulations and insurance requirements that assume reliable external communication.
What Replaced Traditional Landlines
The PSTN has not been removed without replacement. Instead, services have moved onto IP based technologies. Voice and signalling now run over broadband connections, VoIP platforms, or secure mobile data services, depending on the application.
For standard business phones, VoIP is usually straightforward. For alarm systems, fire panels and emergency lines, the solution needs to be more carefully designed. Reliability, power resilience and backup connectivity all need to be considered.
This is where many businesses struggle. These systems were never designed to simply plug into a router, and treating them like normal phones often leads to problems later on.
Why Small Businesses Were Caught Out
Larger organisations typically had IT teams or managed service providers overseeing the transition. Smaller businesses often relied on their existing provider to flag anything important, or assumed that nothing would change unless action was required.
In reality, the responsibility sat with the business owner.
The PSTN switch off wasn’t a single moment where everything stopped working. It’s a gradual withdrawal, which makes it easy for issues in your everyday operations to go unnoticed. Many businesses are only discovering gaps now, during inspections, system tests or incidents.
Bear in mind that some lines may still be active but Openreach have openly confirmed that they can and will switch them off at any time now. You’ll receive 90 days’ notice before the switch-off, and this will occur at some point this year. Therefore, it’s advisable to have preparations in place so you’re not left without a connection.
How Nxcoms Helps Businesses Catch Up Safely
Nxcoms works with UK businesses to identify any remaining landline dependencies and move them onto modern, reliable alternatives that suit the specific system involved.
This starts with a proper review of existing lines and what they are actually connected to. Once that is clear, Nxcoms can recommend the right solution, whether that is VoIP, data connectivity, mobile backup or a combination of services designed to keep critical systems online at all times.
For alarm and fire systems, this often means resilient connectivity with automatic failover. For entry systems and emergency phones, it means ensuring compliance while removing reliance on obsolete infrastructure.
The goal is not just to replace what was there before, but to make sure it is fit for purpose going forward.
Final Checks Every Business Should Make
If you are unsure whether your business completed the transition properly, there are a few sensible steps to take. Review all phone lines still billed to your premises and confirm what they are connected to. Check the documentation for any alarm, fire or access systems and look for references to analogue or PSTN lines. If anything is unclear, seek advice from a specialist who understands both connectivity and compliance.
Waiting until a system fails or an inspection highlights a problem is never ideal. By then, you are dealing with urgency rather than planning.
Do Not Let a Missed Line Become a Bigger Problem
The PSTN switch-off deadline has already passed, but for many businesses, the real consequences are only just becoming visible. The greatest risk now lies in the connections that were forgotten rather than the ones that were planned for.
If you want confidence that nothing critical has been missed, Nxcoms can help you review your setup and put the right solutions in place quickly and clearly.
To speak to a specialist, call 0161 711 1100 or email info@nxcoms.co.uk. Reliable connectivity should support your business quietly in the background, not cause problems when you need it most.
Checklist: What to Double Check
If you are unsure whether everything in your premises was moved over before the PSTN switch off, work through the checklist below. These are the systems most likely to still rely on an analogue line.
● Main phone system
Check whether your desk phones connect via a router or directly into wall sockets. Older phone systems may still depend on analogue lines even if they appear to work.
● Intruder alarm lines
Many alarm systems use dedicated phone lines to communicate with monitoring centres. If these were not upgraded, alerts may no longer reach the outside world.
● Gate and door entry systems
Older access control systems often rely on phone lines to place calls or trigger remote access. These can easily be overlooked during upgrades.
● Broadband connection type
Some broadband services were delivered over analogue lines. If your connection has not been reviewed recently, it may need updating to a fully IP based service.
● Fire alarm panel lines
Fire panels frequently use phone lines to send fault or emergency signals. These connections must be reliable and compliant at all times.
● Older card payment terminals
Legacy PDQ or credit card machines sometimes dial out over phone lines rather than using IP or mobile data.
● Bank and legacy modem lines
Some financial or reporting systems still use modem based connections that rely on analogue infrastructure.
● Remote monitoring systems
Heating controls, environmental monitoring, lifts and other plant equipment may use old modem lines to report status or faults.
If any of these are unclear or you’re not certain how a system connects, it’s worth getting it checked properly. These lines are often hidden, rarely tested and only discovered when something stops working – which it will soon if not already!
Mar 13, 2023 | Blog, News, Telephone Systems
Thinking about a new phone system? Wish you could save money and upgrade your phone system at the same time? Well, if you are quick, you could benefit from a 130% saving on your tax bill when you upgrade.
No, this isn’t some crazy incentive. This is a government-backed scheme. It’s the single biggest tax incentive of any UK government for asset investment.
But time is running out!
You Only Have Until 31st March 2023 to Claim Your Tax Relief
A new phone system can get you better performance from your team – since they won’t be constantly troubleshooting dropped lines, fuzzy calls and missing call transfers. Plus, you can get better call rates than your current provider offers. It makes sense to take this tax-saving opportunity to see what a new phone system can do for you.
Want to know more about this tax deduction scheme? Here’s everything you need to know.
The Benefits Of A New Phone System
If your company is still using an old phone system, you could be getting poor call rates and line packages that aren’t geared to your specific needs.
When you get a new phone system, you’re getting more than you might realise…
- Having the latest tech means your phone system is future-proofed and you’re protected from the big 2025 digital switch, which will leave old UK business phone systems dead.
- If you’re transferring to your new system from an old system, there’s no downtime. Your company can continue as normal without interruption.
- You can get better call rates and cheaper line rental when you upgrade to a new phone system, saving the pennies, so the pounds look after themselves!
- Bespoke packages that suit your business use instead of a one size fits all quick solution that causes your customers and staff daily headaches.
- Freedom from international call centres. Never spend another lost hour on the phone to your telephone provider’s support team halfway across the world!
So How Can I Make A Tax Saving On A Phone System?
Good question.
Well, after the pandemic, the UK government wanted to shore up the economy, so the then-Chancellor (now PM) Rishi Sunak came up with some pretty radical tax incentives. The 130% super-deduction is one of them.
The super-deduction means you can claim tax back on new equipment purchases for your business. It applies to things like vans and tractors through to office chairs and, you guessed it, telecoms. Not bad for the UK government!
There are a couple of catches, of course. Purchases have to be bought, not hired. And it doesn’t include subscriptions but can include installation, consultant and engineer fees.
The biggest thing to remember about the tax super-deduction is that it ends on March 31st 2023, so now is the time to make those purchases and make the most of the best tax deduction rate you’ll probably ever get.
How Much Can I Save Then?
There’s a reason company owners are rushing to take advantage of this tax incentive while it lasts, and that’s because you can save considerably. Let’s look at some numbers to get a clear picture of what you’ll be getting in addition to your shiny new phone system…
Say you spend £1000 upgrading your phone system. You can claim a £1300 deduction against your taxable profits, saving up to 19% of that – £247 – on your corporation tax bill.
That means whatever you spend, you’ll be saving money on your taxes, which is no mean feat.
No Time To Waste…
Time is fast running out on the scheme, so if you want to know more, now is the time to act.
If you are thinking of upgrading your phone system, then now is an ideal time. Nxcoms is already highly competitive, but factoring in the super-deduction makes it an even easier decision.
So, if you want to save money, now is the time to act. Get in touch, and we can help you make the most of the tax super-deduction.
Mar 9, 2023 | Blog, News, Telephone Systems, Voice
The 130% tax super deduction means you might actually look forward to your tax bill this year.
Back in 2021, the government announced some temporary reliefs for businesses, including a big tax super-deduction’ and it turns out you could save money on a huge range of business purchases.
But be warned; time is ticking on the opportunity to make the most of this tax super-deduction – there are just a few weeks left before it ends on 31st March 2023.
Wondering what it is and if you can make use of it? Read on…..
What Is A Tax Super-Deduction?
No, it’s not a bad superhero name. It’s a way for your company to save money on some of the essentials you bought between specific dates in 2021 and 2023.
Following the pandemic, the Chancellor announced some temporary measures to help out UK businesses in their spring 2021 budget. This included what was referred to as a ‘super-deduction’ – an increase in the tax relief available on qualifying assets. The key word there is qualifying, so keep reading to find out what exactly you can claim on.
To put it simply, it applies to expenditures incurred from the start of April 2021 to the end of March 2023. Companies can claim 130% capital allowances on plant and machinery, things like computer systems, tractors, HGVs, solar panels and robotic equipment, oh and new phone systems! So quite a lot!
Essentially, you’ll get a tax cut of 30p for every £1 spent on things that qualify. You can learn more about it here
Can Anyone Claim A Super-Deduction?
Not everyone will be able to take advantage of what is one of the government’s biggest tax incentives. But luckily, many will.
The easiest way to find out if you can claim a super-deduction is to know whether you pay corporation tax. If you do, you can claim a super tax deduction.
The people who will miss out on this saving are sole traders, LLPs and partnerships. But good news if you’re a landlord, because the government did extend it to include landlords investing in building machinery, solar, EV charge points and refrigeration.
Sounds Good. What Kind Of Purchase Does The Super-Deduction Apply To?
Now, this is the important bit. There are a lot of purchases that this big tax saving won’t apply to, and that includes things that are second-hand, used or lease hired. But…
You can buy using hire purchase and still qualify to get 130% of your asset’s cost back in tax write-offs, so long as you’re getting something new and unused.
So, what can you actually claim for? Some of the big things include…
- Cranes, diggers, excavators
- Production equipment, robotic arms
- Tractors, combine harvesters, crop sprayers
- Computer equipment and servers
- Electric vehicle charging points
That’s A Lot Of Construction Stuff. How Can A Business Make Use Of The Super-Deduction?
If you’re a company that doesn’t deal with or require a fleet of diggers or an army of robots (though we’d all love one), you can still benefit.
Outside of farming and construction industries, most businesses will be purchasing computer equipment and things like servers and other tech devices. Within this category, you can get a tax super-deduction on…
- Software like accounting programmes (not including subscriptions for software, just purchases)
- The costs associated with implementing new software or hardware
- Engineer, consultant or service costs (this can be a biggie for companies who outsource support)
Ok, So I Can Upgrade My Businesses Comms And Make A Tax Saving?
That’s right! You can get better connected and get more than your money back in tax deductions.
But only until 31st March this year, and of course, only if you’re turning enough profit to make the tax deduction worth it for you. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your phone system, then now is the time with this limited incentive.
But act fast.
You might have heard of the ‘big copper switch-off’ happening in 2025. If not, it might be the prompt you need to consider switching to fibre optic broadband.
In 2025, it’s planned that all copper wire internet will be ‘turned off’, leaving you without any internet connection from that day. You won’t be automatically switched over to fibre.
So, if you want your company to stay connected and save money at the same time, this tax deduction is a great reason to take affirmative action.
Sound Like Something You Want To Explore?
Want to save more than you spent on asset investments? The tax super-deduction is waiting for you, but only until the end of March this year. If you want to take advantage of the super deduction to reduce the cost of your new phone system, we can help.
Let’s talk and find out how you can save while you upgrade.
Mar 14, 2022 | Blog, News, Telephone Systems
You may have heard that the UK’s copper telephone lines will be switched off in 2025, but what does that mean for businesses?
Businesses will have to switch to the new IP system before 2025. However, we recommend doing it sooner rather than later. In some areas in the UK, the PSTN system is already being switched off, and copper lines will no longer be sold after 2023. To ensure a seamless transition businesses should switch as soon as possible.
First things first
The first thing you should know is that different options are available to you depending on your needs and budget. Some of the options available are: SIP trunking systems, hosted phone systems and on-premise phone systems.
Cost savings
If you’re worried about the cost of changing your phone system now, you don’t need to be. You can switch your existing ISDN lines to our SIP trunking today and actually start saving money!
SIP trunking is a type of VoIP technology. It offers lower costs and line rental fees, and you will be able to keep all your existing numbers. We can set up SIP trunk lines for you in a matter of minutes. It offers more reliability than the ISDN system and can be up to 75% cheaper!
Remember that there are also government schemes and grants in place for businesses that are making the switch from the old PSTN system.
Take advantage of the latest technology
VoIP phone systems are faster, more reliable, and cheaper than the previous technology. They also offer extensive features.
Extensive features available as standard
When you opt for an on-premise phone system, many extra features are available to you at no additional cost. These features include music-on-hold, voicemail-to-email, built-in multi-language IVR, call logging interface, call recording reports, conference rooms, voicemail controls, desktop integration and call forwarding.
Enabling working from home for employees
A hosted phone system has advantages in its flexibility, allowing employees to seamlessly work from home, office or location of their choosing.
Integrating mobiles
If you’re looking to integrate mobiles, this can be easily done. Nxcoms have business plans available with flexible contract terms.
Flexibility to change anything quickly
VoIP systems offer unparalleled flexibility. You can scale quickly and easily. You can keep or change your existing numbers. You can raise or reduce the number of calls you can make. Everything is adaptable to suit your business so that you only pay for what you need when you need it.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s important not to leave the switch till the last minute. Some areas in the UK are already being switched off, and copper lines will not be sold after 2023.
- Depending on the type of business you have, different options are available to suit you. These include SIP trunking systems, hosted phone systems and on-premise phone systems.
- If you’re not sure which system is right for your business or if you need more information, please get in touch with us. We will be happy to assist you.
