Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Readiness Review

Tender description

The UK’s telecoms networks will undergo substantial change over the coming years as technology evolves and is upgraded. Between now and 2025 the UK’s traditional telephone network – the ‘public switched telephone network’ (PSTN) - will be switched off with customers migrated to a newer digital technology known as ‘voice over internet protocol’ (VoIP), with calls carried over a broadband connection. The change to VoIP is being led by the industry and there is already work underway through Ofcom and various industry bodies to prepare for the changes. However, there is a need for the public sector to prepare as well, either in terms of the public sector estate (lifts, alarms etc.) or the delivery of services (telecare, traffic lights etc.) as well as ensuring that other agencies that provide public services (third sector etc.) are also prepared. Although the PSTN switch off is being led by industry with support from Ofcom and the UK Government the Welsh Government has a role to play in facilitating conversations between these players and the public and private bodies in Wales, but also to understand public sector preparedness in Wales. This understanding will be used to target further engagement between industry, Ofcom and the UK Government and public bodies in Wales. The Welsh Government is looking to appoint a supplier to undertake a high-level review of the preparedness of the public sector in Wales, and third sector and private bodies that provide key services for them, in relation to the PSTN switch-off and the migration to VoIP. This high-level review should: • Provide an evidence-based assessment of the preparedness of the public sector in Wales, and of bodies that provide services to the public sector, for the switch over from the Public Switched Telephone Network to Voice over Internet Protocol. • Set-out an appropriate definition of readiness in the context of the PSTN switch-off and the transition to VoIP. • Identify the plans of the telecommunications industry to switch-over from PSTN to VoIP. • Identify the range and types of telecommunications services that are reliant on the PSTN network. • Identify the range of public sector bodies and private and third sector bodies that provide public sector services in Wales. • Provide an assessment of the risks to services and service users from the state of readiness of public, private and third sector bodies providing public services. • Clearly set out recommendations to address any gaps in readiness.