Are you ready for the ISDN switch off?
With BT announcing to gradually phase out its ISDN networks starting 2020, now is the time for businesses to prepare. The completion date for this phase-out is predicted for 2025, giving leeway for organisations to make changes to their communication infrastructures that will set them up for the future.
To help you prepare, we’ve included useful information below:
Don’t rush into another ISDN contract
In our article “The Dangers of Ignoring the ISDN Switch Off“, we encourage businesses not to renew their ISDN contracts.
Reason being?
There may be five years to go until ISDN lines cease to exist but sticking with them could be detrimental to your business. After all, ISDN lines are being switched off for a reason. They are outdated, costly and restricted in terms of scalability and flexibility.
Our first helpful tip for preparing for when ISDN lines switch off, is to reconsider any contract renewals.
Instead, consider alternatives
According to Ofcom’s Communications Market Report, there were an estimated 6.4 million fixed lines belonging to businesses in 2018 (Ofcom 2018). That’s why it’s so important for BT to provide suitable alternatives.
Two big contenders in this space are VoIP and SIP solutions.
“40% of the UK market has already recognised that switching to a VoIP solution provides a number of key benefits” (NumberGroup).
If you move towards a VoIP solution, you’ll need to consider whether your internet connection is strong enough.
Regardless of the fact VoIP doesn’t require much data, you still need to make sure you have enough bandwidth to support voice, as well as everything else you need in the office. As VoIP providers for 14 years, we are well versed in the process of switching to this solution and all the considerations that come with it.
Find out more about our VoIP telephony solutions >>
If you choose to install a SIP trunking solution instead, your considerations will be similar. SIP trunks use an internet connection to provide you with the ability to make and receive concurrent calls, with the flexibility to scale your business and ramp up communication with customers.
Virtual phone lines are provided over a high speed IP network connecting to an IP PBX. Our SIP trunks connect to VoIPOffice, which is our hosted PBX or to the PBX of your choice.
Learn more about talkAssure, our SIP trunking solution >>
Extra information
There are a few other steps you can take to prepare for when ISDN lines switch off. Find out if your office phone system can support VoIP and take it from there:
- Does support VoIP – invest in a VoIP solution today and reap the benefits of improved productivity, free internet calls and flexible working.
- Does not support VoIP – consider replacing your phone system with an IP solution and move to the cloud. Physical, on-site phone systems are restrictive for businesses. Start managing your phone system from the cloud, anywhere.
We can help you make this decision. Our team of trained telecommunications experts can advise you on the steps to take if you switch to VoIP, while we can easily integrate our SIP trunks with Microsoft Lync and mitigate the need for gateway devices.
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