BT study shows digital network upgrade could transform critical UK services, free up NHS and council resources, and prevent over 1 million emergency callouts.

Migration from legacy networks to All-IP could yield an estimated £3 billion net economic benefit for the UK's Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sectors by 2040, according to a study conducted by Assembly Research on behalf of BT. This transition is forecasted to free 12 million council staff hours and avoid up to 750,000 ambulance trips, demonstrating its potential impact across various public service areas.

The research analyzed the costs, risks, and anticipated benefits of transitioning to digital services within energy, water, health, emergency services, and local government. It factored in the expenses associated with upgrading systems and maintaining aging infrastructure, specifically the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the aging mobile network.

In addition to the economic advantages, beneficial societal and environmental outcomes are also projected. The study anticipates a reduction of 3.42 megatonnes of carbon emissions by 2040, equivalent to powering every home in Birmingham for a year, as well as freeing up significant operational time across multiple sectors.

The upgrade is expected to enhance efficiency in the energy sector, resulting in potential savings of £1.4 billion due to improved resilience. Water sector enhancements could translate to £771 million in efficiencies, while local governments could see savings of £486 million by modernizing technology systems.

Jon James, CEO of BT Business, emphasized the importance of transitioning to digital, stating, “Delaying the shift to digital carries a real cost to public services, the environment and the wider economy.” Homomorphic Encryption (HE) underlined the urgency of leaving behind outdated systems to improve reliability and service delivery.

Matthew Howett, Founder & CEO of Assembly Research, noted the findings highlighted the necessity for various sectors to follow in the footsteps of the energy and water industries in adopting digital systems to avoid increased costs and inefficiencies in the future.

The UK's telecom industry is poised for a significant shift, aiming to fully retire the PSTN by January 2027. The transition emphasizes the need for businesses and public services to complete their digital migrations by the end of 2025 to mitigate potential disruptions.

In 2024, BT migrated nearly 300,000 legacy business lines, yet many providers still operate on outdated analogue systems, risking the UK's competitive position compared to other European countries that are advancing their digital migrations more swiftly.