Digital changes are coming for Surrey businesses of all sizes, which may impact how customers and suppliers contact, pay and invoice you.
In less than two years, all analogue landlines in the UK will be switched off. This could impact how customers contact your Surrey business and how they pay for your services.
Government is also considering the roll out of e-invoicing, which could improve productivity and automate business processes.
Below we set out how and when these changes are coming into force. And why your Surrey business should start thinking about futureproofing your business today.
Digital changes: phone lines
Landlines in the UK are going digital – but is your business ready?
The existing analogue technology – the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) – which has supported phone and broadband services for decades is being retired and switched off. This is because the network is old, and becoming harder and more expensive to maintain.
So by early 2027, all landline calls will be delivered over digital technology, called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). You might also see this referred to as โdigital phoneโ or โdigital voiceโ.
This is not happening only in the UK. These changes are taking place all over the world.
Business benefits of digital phone lines
Trade magazine ISPreview estimates one in five (22%) of all UK businesses are still using analogue systems.
New digital phone lines will allow communications providers (such as BT, Virgin Media O2, Sky and Vodafone) to offer consumers and businesses clearer and better quality phone calls. There could also be new features such as anonymous caller rejection or three-way calling.
VoIP is also more resistant to severe weather. The cables used are waterproof and less prone to damage during a storm or other severe weather events.
Landlines may also be used for alternative devices such as lift alarms, fax machines, burglar alarms and card payment systems.
BT has taken the decision to retire its PSTN by January 2027. This means other providers that use BTโs network must follow the same timescale – so, at most, Surrey businesses have 18 months to move over to a new digital network.
Communications providers will not know which devices are connected to their network. So it is important for you to review which devices you’re using and decide if they need replacing or upgrading.
Then contact your current communications provider to discuss alternatives.
To help, Ofcom has published a list of FAQs and prompts. Openreach has also published factsheets for businesses who use phone lines to deliver services. This will help you understand how the move to VoIP services may affect you.
Digital changes: Electronic invoicing
Would electronic invoicing help your Surrey business? Government is seeking views on standardising and increasing its adoption across UK businesses.
E-invoicing is the digital exchange of invoice information directly between buyersโ and suppliersโ financial systems, even if these systems are different. The invoice is then automatically written into the buyerโs financial system without manual processing.
Increased e-invoicing uptake may support economic growth, business productivity, improve business cashflow and reduce errors in tax returns. It has the potential to both support businesses and tax administration.
HMRC and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are currently running a joint consultation to understand how e-invoicing may align with you or your customersโ businesses.
Businesses of all sizes โ whether they use e-invoicing or not โ are encouraged to take part, along with interest groups, representative bodies, industry bodies and individuals.
Responses will take a few minutes to complete via this online form.
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