The BT Switch Off! Don’t be left in the dark.
Date: 29th November 2019
Many businesses are facing the financial burden of upgrading to digital when analogue services are switched off by BT in 2025.
Analogue’s days are numbered and BT Wholesale’s decision to stop supplying ISDN and PSTN circuits from 2020 for new customers marks a seismic shift in how businesses will communicate in the future. By 2025 these traditional services will be switched off with customers migrating over to VoIP telephone systems. However, many business are still unaware that this will be happening or indeed the additional costs involved.
Digital Enterprise can help you to cover these costs. With the clock ticking, businesses need to start thinking about upgrading to IP systems if they haven’t already done so. We can offer you between £500-£3,000 of funding to help you to futureproof your business.
Digital Enterprise’s Connectivity+ Voucher funding can be used to help purchase both VoIP equipment, and the upgrade of the network including excess construction charges.
So, if you are still connected to ISDN and would benefit from funding to cover the cost of migrating over to VoIP, then perhaps we can help. To find out more about Digital Enterprise’s Connectivity+ Voucher, and how we can help you to upgrade your old voice networks to IP then call Martin Howarth at Digital Enterprise on 0113 378 0056 or email martin.howarth@leeds.gov.uk
What are PSTN and ISDN?
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) are the circuits that most of us currently use to communicate over the phone. PSTN is an older technology (operating using the same principles as the first ever public phone network) which sees analogue voice data flowing through circuit-switched copper phone lines. ISDN however is more recent, using technology from the late 1980s and delivering both voice and data services over digital lines at the same time. Whereas once ISDN was the go to option for video-conferencing and fast internet connections, it has now been overtaken by more recent innovations – like fibre broadband.
What will replace ISDN?
PSTN and ISDN circuits will be replaced by VoIP (voice over internet protocol) systems. To make the switch, businesses can either opt for a hosted system or upgrade their existing phone system so that they can connect it to their broadband connection.
With a hosted system, calls are delivered via the internet and there is no need for telephone system hardware (other than handsets), dedicated telephone lines or specialised engineers. With a hosted voice system, businesses are able to enjoy cheaper call rates, free site-to-site calls, the ability to pick up calls across multiple devices and the facility to add users quickly and easily while benefiting from HD call quality and recording. Business phone systems become more scalable and flexible to a company’s needs.
If you choose to keep an on-premises business phone system, you will be able to enjoy all the benefits of VoIP, such as scalability, HD quality calls and cost savings. Instead of PSTN or ISDN circuits, your business will need SIP Trunks – virtual telephone lines that create a phone line over your internet connection. SIP trunks are great for flexible working, have built in disaster recovery and can be scaled up or down without the need for additional physical line installation.
