Comms Council UK is delighted to announce that it has teamed up with the industry "Fit to Switch" campaign that is helping to promote the pending PSTN switch off to multiple industries across the country.
The fit to switch campaign, led by the Mark Allen Group (the organisation behind Comms Business, numerous other trade publications and also the Channel Live event) will be driving a series of activities which include multiple articles across various trade publications, events and regional road shows as well as podcasts and social media activity. Some background behind the reasoning can be found here and some examples of the articles that they have already started pushing to various trade outlets can be found below:
Publications:
The Operations Engineer
The Transport Engineer
Manufacturing Management
We have undertaken a number of initiatives to support members engaging with their customers surrounding the PSTN switch off, including our Great Switchover pages on the website. We have also heavily lobbied Ofcom and Government around the need to support the communications plan. Despite some guidance being produced, it is clear that they feel this is a matter for industry. With the December 2025 deadline looming into view, Comms Council UK believes this campaign is one that industry should get behind. We will continue to be undertaking our own work (updated guidance for members, lobbying activity as well as broader press coverage) but will be wanting to support and amplify the work of the Fit to Switch campaign as much as possible.
As part of the package, CCUK will be contributing to articles, podcasts and events around the subject as well have a page on the Fit to Switch website (yet to go live) where we will be promoting the fact that consumers need to consider multiple options when choosing their provider in the new world of IP.
As part of the agreement, Comms Council UK members, qualifying as Reseller/MSP companies will also get the ability to gain "Authorised Partner" status, whereby they get access to commercial leads via the Fit to Switch campaign. Incoming enquiries from the media activity and their existing database will be available to all partners. This is currently available at a 50% discount. Currently this is £960 + VAT per year (£80 per month) reducing to £480 + VAT per year (£40 per month). If you would be interested in finding out more around this information, we can happily put you in touch with the Fit to Switch team.
More details and activity in the coming weeks and months but it is one that we are keen to build momentum around. We already know of some individual Comms Council UK members who have signed up as partners and so feel this activity can really build momentum and help deliver the effective communications to business and consumers alike.