In November 2017 BT announced their intention to switch off PSTN and ISDN services by the end of 2025. This means traditional phone systems will no longer operate after December 2025.
The PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) supports several products including ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) lines, which many businesses still use for their telephony needs.
Due to the withdrawal of PSTN and ISDN services, businesses should consider moving away from ISDN phone lines as soon as possible. At DVAD we’re advising customers to invest in alternative telephone and communication solutions that will support them in their strategic growth plans.
What is the PSTN?
The PSTN was originally designed in the 1800s for analogue voice communication using traditional copper telephone wires. ISDN services were then introduced in the late 1980s to coincide with the development of digital media.
ISDN lines provide a digital version of analogue phone lines and allow the transfer of voice and data over PSTN copper lines.
Due to the advancements in digital technology, both the PSTN and ISDN networks have become outdated. BT are switching these networks off to pave the way for a fully digital network that can meet the demands of the new digital era.
How will the PSTN/ISDN switch-off affect my business?
Although it may seem some time away, the PSTN withdrawal is happening sooner than you think. The last thing your business needs is to be left without a reliable telephone service, so it’s important to be prepared.
Business PSTN lines, and landlines, will be switched off at the end of December 2025 – as will all other fixed lines. This will also impact ADSL and FTTC broadband services. To ensure your business services continue without interruption, we suggest switching to a fibre network and an IP telephony solution as soon as possible.
The connectivity of other business devices such as alarms and CCTV should also be checked as many currently link to and work through the PSTN network.
How can you prepare your business for the PSTN switch-off?
If you currently have an ISDN business phone system, think about switching to an IP telephony solution as soon as your contract is up for renewal.
Upgrading your system sooner rather than later will mean that you can take advantage of the benefits of VoIP and futureproof your business quicker. Making the change now will provide your business and employees with plenty of time to transition to the new system. You’ll also save money in the long run as VoIP systems are much more cost-effective than ISDN solutions.
What is replacing PSTN and ISDN?
IP telephony systems (VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol) are the main replacements for ISDN phone lines.
VoIP is a unified communications solution that allows telephone services to be delivered across the internet via IP handsets, mobile phones and other mobile devices, making it an ideal solution for hybrid and home working.
Hosted VoIP phone systems
Many businesses will no-doubt opt for a hosted VoIP service. Hosted VoIP phone systems are held in the cloud and remove the need for an on-premise VoIP server, which can be very costly! The lack of hardware also means that you won’t incur any physical maintenance costs.
VoIP offers businesses significant savings opportunities, alongside much greater flexibility and functionality. As well as low-cost local calls, international calls can also be made inexpensively as calls are made using only a computer network.
Key VoIP features:
- No upfront infrastructure/hardware costs
- 24/7 system monitoring
- Pick up calls across multiple devices
- HD voice quality and call recording capabilities
- Unified communication that allows conferencing and document sharing
Business benefits of utilising VoIP:
- Money saving
- Enhanced employee communications
- Flexible working enabled
- Improved collaboration between sites and employees
- Greater productivity
Contact us about our hosted VoIP telephony solutions
If you’d like to speak to us about the ISDN switch-off, or are interested in our hosted VoIP phone solutions, please call us on 0800 84 999 84, or email us at enquiries@direct-voiceanddata.com.
We have been a leading provider of business telephone systems for over 35 years and will work with you to implement the perfect telephony solution for you and your business.
