Removal of Facsimile as a Method of Code Communication
Summary
The Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) will be switched off in December 2025 by all telecom companies and will be replaced with an Internet Protocol (IP) digital network. Existing fax machines that are incompatible with new all IP digital networks will become obsolete and no longer capable of meeting Code Communications as prescribed in the REC. All communication methods referencing fax or facsimile will need to be removed and replaced with email (where this is not an existing option), unless an alternative form of communication is needed. Please note: The government have published preparatory guidance which includes migrating to IP-supported technology in advance of the planned decommissioning. UK transition from analogue to digital landlines - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) (“assets, facilities, systems, networks or processes and the essential workers that operate and facilitate them”) which is subdivided into 13 sectors including Energy, are advised to consider how they move to digital alternatives smoothly to avoid unnecessary interruption following the PSTN switch-off. Openreach's Energy Guidance Factsheet can be found in the CPs Accompanied Documents.
Latest update and next planned activity
Date of latest update
Latest Update
This Change Proposal was implemented as part of the 7 November 2025 REC Release.
Impacts Overview
Impacted Consumers
Electricity
Gas
Impacted REC Parties and Market Participants
Energy Supplier
Data Collector
Green Deal Provider
Impacted REC Documents
Schedule 14 - Metering Operations
Schedule 18 - Green Deal Arrangements
Impacted REC Services
Electricity Enquiry Service (EES)
Other Industry Codes impacted
Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC)
Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA)
Smart Energy Code (SEC)
Uniform Network Code (UNC)
Independent Gas Transporters (IGT) Uniform Network Code (UNC)
Priority and rationale
Standard
Priority last updated on 29 May 2026
Solution development
Problem Statement
Existing fax machines that are incompatible with new all IP digital networks will become obsolete and no longer capable of meeting Code Communications as prescribed in the REC
Proposed solution summary
- All communication methods referencing fax or facsimile will need to be removed and replaced with email
No documents available.
Change Plan
Preliminary Change Report and Consultation Issued
Completed
Start:
03 Jan 2024Due:
09 Feb 2024Completion:
09 Feb 2024Final Change Report Issued
Completed
Start:
23 Feb 2024Due:
12 Mar 2024Completion:
12 Mar 2024Responsible Committee Decision
Completed
Start:
12 Mar 2024Due:
19 Mar 2024Completion:
19 Mar 2024Appeal Window Closure
Not Started
Start:
19 Mar 2024Due:
02 Apr 2024Completion:
Consultation Close
Completed
Start:
09 Feb 2024Due:
23 Feb 2024Completion:
23 Feb 2024Original submission
Change details
Colette Baldwin - REC Code Manager
3 Jan 2024
Change details
Removal of Facsimile as a Method of Code Communication
The Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) will be switched off in December 2025 by all telecom companies and will be replaced with an Internet Protocol (IP) digital network.
Existing fax machines that are incompatible with new all IP digital networks will become obsolete and no longer capable of meeting Code Communications as prescribed in the REC.
All communication methods referencing fax or facsimile will need to be removed and replaced with email (where this is not an existing option), unless an alternative form of communication is needed. It will also be an opportunity to standardise the term “email” and replace “e-mail“ with “email” for consistency.
The government have published preparatory guidance which includes migrating to IP-supported technology in
advance of the planned decommissioning. UK transition from analogue to digital landlines - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) (“assets, facilities, systems, networks or processes and the essential workers that operate and facilitate them”) which is subdivided into 13 sectors including Energy, are advised to consider how they move to digital alternatives smoothly to avoid unnecessary interruption following the PSTN switch-off.
advance of the planned decommissioning. UK transition from analogue to digital landlines - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) (“assets, facilities, systems, networks or processes and the essential workers that operate and facilitate them”) which is subdivided into 13 sectors including Energy, are advised to consider how they move to digital alternatives smoothly to avoid unnecessary interruption following the PSTN switch-off.
Impacts
Electricity, Gas
On site experience
-
Schedule 14 - Metering Operations, Schedule 18 - Green Deal Arrangements
CoMCoP
No details provided
-
No details provided
-
Data Item Catalogue, Standards Definition
-
No details provided
-
No details provided
-
Energy Suppliers, Data Collectors, Green Deal Providers, EES Users
-
Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC), Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA), Smart Energy Code (SEC), Uniform Network Code (UNC), Independent Gas Transporters (IGT) Uniform Network Code (UNC)
This issue is affecting all codes and the Cross-code Steering Group are looking to co-ordinate engagement across all the codes.
No
No details provided
Priority & timing
No
-
The PSTN system will be decommissioned in December 2025, it would be prudent to ensure that industry is ready, so that the changes are developed and implemented ahead of this timeframe.
The PSTN system will be decommissioned in December 2025
No details provided
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