The FCA has recently issued a reminder to firms about forthcoming changes to the UK telephone system.
The current analogue phone network (known as the Public Switched Telephone Network or PSTN) is starting to be switched off across the UK. It will be completely decommissioned by the end of 2025, migrating to a digital phone network, delivered through Voice over IP (VoIP).
This is a major change to the UK’s telecoms networks and will affect anything that currently plugs into existing analogue telephone wall sockets. Firms should be making plans to ensure there is no disruption to the services they provide.
Further information can be found here.
FCS Transitional Arrangements
Steve Bailey Compliance Update
As you will be aware the Financial Services Authority ceased to be and the Financial Conduct Authority took over the regulation of financial advice firms on 01 April 2013.
The FSA issued PS13/05 last week which includes updated rules and transition arrangements. The policy statement itself is 88 pages but the ‘appendix (3)’ that accompanies it is a mere 1990 pages so you must excuse us for not as yet absorbing every word. The document can be seen here.