Will Select Services such as Call Divert Continue to work?

There will be a change in how these are set up. Check our InFocus customer portal for useful guides. Access our customer portal here >

Why do I need Legacy Protect?

Legacy Protect puts you in control of your telephony and safeguards your services. It also means you are not bound by the Openreach stop sell and impending PSTN switch off, meaning your services will continue to function as they do today.

Can I order new/add Legacy Protect assets

Yes, you can! Unlike Openreach services, from which you can no longer purchase or modify services following the stop-sell in September. Our Customer Engagement team will be happy to help with anything you need.

Can I cancel Legacy Protect?

Legacy Protect will need to remain in place if you wish to avoid upgrading to an IP solution. We have listened to our customers who do not want to be bound by Openreach’s strict switch off and want the flexibility without the pressure of a cut-off date.If you’d like to discuss alternative options, please talk to our Customer Engagement team today on 0330 024 2200

Do I need to reprogram equipment on these lines?

Our Support teams are ready to help if required. Check our InFocus customer portal for useful guides.

Why have you not applied Legacy Protect to my Analogue Multi-line?

Legacy Protect can only work on single analogue lines. If you still use analogue multi-line contact our Customer Engagement today on 0330 024 2200

Legacy Support

We're working to support analogue lines to keep your business connected, ahead of the PSTN switch off. Welcome to Legacy Support.

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch off, as you may already be aware, is now well underway and on schedule for completion by the end of 2027.

As a result, all traditional lines, such as analogue phone lines, ISDN phone systems used by businesses and older internet connections such as ADSL and FTTC broadband, will become fully obsolete.

Made from copper cables and legacy equipment, the PSTN is approaching end of life, so it is becoming increasingly costly and difficult to maintain the service levels we strive for. As such, the cost to maintain services that rely on the legacy Openreach network have also increased.

So, ahead of the switch off, it’s time to futureproof your services.

Keeping your business connected

To protect the services of our customers from Openreach’s Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) withdrawal, we’re taking steps to ensure we can keep your telephony and connectivity services maintained and running smoothly.

We have talked to our customers and taken the feedback on board. Some feel the process of upgrading to all-IP digital technology sounds time-consuming and disruptive. Others, understandably, are concerned about the potential financial impact of updating systems and services.

We know many of our customers are happy with their current services and would prefer to upgrade when ready, rather than when presented with a deadline!

Legacy line protection

Welcome to Legacy Support. From January 2025, we’ll be adding our Legacy Support service to the accounts of our customers who rely on keeping legacy lines well-maintained and fully operational to ensure business continuity.

A small additional monthly fee will be charged for Legacy Support, to cover the increased cost of supporting services which rely on the deteriorating Openreach network. Meaning you can rest assured your services will continue to be operational and supported by our team.

When you're ready, we're here to help. As part of our commitment to helping businesses transition to the cloud and full fibre connectivity services, all Focus Group customers currently receiving the Legacy Support or Legacy Protect service, are automatically entitled to make the transition with no upfront installation charges for equipment or associated licensing.

Man talking in call centre with headset on

Futureproofing your services

We have a duty of care to our valued customers to ensure business services are migrated to future-proof technology ahead of the PSTN switch off.

Want to find out more about the benefits of upgrading? Let's talk. Our Customer Engagement team can be reached on 0330 024 2200 or email customerengagement@focusgroup.co.uk

People sitting down talking with headset on

FAQ's

Why do I need Legacy Support?

The cost to maintain services that rely on the legacy Openreach network have increased. Legacy Support means we can continue to deliver the service levels we strive for.

What services are impacted by the PSTN switch off?

The important thing to understand is that it won't just affect traditional telephone lines, but also the products and services which rely on these lines such as.

Alarm systems
EPOS
Lift systems
CCTV

Legacy Support can help you avoid the short-term financial impact of upgrading these services.

What happens if I’d prefer to upgrade to IP and futureproof my services now?

Speak to our Customer Engagement team today. We can plan this without the pressure of a Openreach cut-off date, ahead of the rush to upgrade before the deadlines and guide you through the options best for you and your business.

Does Legacy Support affect my contract with Focus Group?

No, it doesn’t, your contract terms with Focus Group remain unchanged.

I already have Legacy Protect so why do I need Legacy Support?

Where it is possible to do so, we have switched business lines to Legacy Protect. This service is designed to protect your services from being cancelled as Openreach decommissions end of life PSTN exchanges. In certain cases, services cannot be transitioned to Legacy Protect due to incompatible products associated with the specific line. Legacy Support will ensure these services are continuously monitored and maintained with dedicated expertise tailored to older technology, until such time Openreach decommission the associated exchanges.

Can I cancel Legacy Support?

If your legacy products are incompatible with the Legacy Protect service we offer, Legacy Support will need to remain in place in order to maintain the service levels we strive for.

If you’d like to discuss alternative options, please talk to our Customer Engagement team today on 0330 024 2200