PSTN switch-off: How to future-proof your business

What is the PSTN Switch-Off?

Back in 2015, BT announced that the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) would be phased out by December 2025. This includes more modern, digital standards that utilise its infrastructure, such as ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network).

This means that from 2025 people will no longer be able to make calls over their legacy PSTN or ISDN phone lines, instead switching to landline replacement services that rely on faster, clearer IP technologies instead, namely VoIP, or 'Voice over Internet Protocol'.

Why is this happening?  

The switch-off marks the next evolution of telecommunications technology. ISDN was introduced in the 1980’s, allowing both voice and data services to be delivered simultaneously.

Considering the technology and services available at the time, it served its purpose very well and continued to do so for many years.  

Nearly 40 years later, we’re now well into the 21st century and technology has progressed rapidly. Solutions that are reliant on infrastructure that has partially been in place since the early 1900s are falling behind the curve in an increasingly fast paced digital world where everything is moving to the Cloud.

What does this mean for your business? 

The switch-off could affect over 2 million UK businesses, primarily SMEs who still operate on ISDN. If you’re one of the businesses still using landline telephones and fax machines, the switch-off will dramatically impact your operations. You’ll need to figure out how this situation will change how your staff communicates with clients, customers, partners, and vendors and how you’ll cope with that change.

While 2025 may still seem a long way off, we strongly advise businesses to not wait until the last minute to make a change to all-digital communications such as cloud telephony or hosted PBX. 

What’s the alternative? 

Many businesses have already embraced an all-digital model, moving their communications to the cloud, making calls over the internet and embracing video conferencing.

A cloud-hosted solution that uses Voice-over-Internet Protocol or VoIP is one of your best options if you’re planning to switch from ISDN. Hosted VoIP frees you from an on-premise phone system that restricts your ability to work outside of the same four walls. Rather than speaking to someone over a traditional phone line, hosted VoIP allows you to take and make calls over an internet connection, on a cloud network. 

Benefits of VoIP

With a stable internet connection, hosted VoIP can offer a number of benefits to businesses that make the switch. These benefits include wider flexibility and scalability – you can easily add and remove users as needed, and you can work from anywhere since you’ll be able to make calls from your mobile device.  

Hosted VoIP is also a cost-effective solution and offers great portability, and is usually much cheaper than ISDN lines. Furthermore, because hosted VoIP solutions cloud-based, it means you wouldn’t need to worry about any maintenance costs. Your PBX (Private Branch Exchange) resides in the cloud rather an on-premises, and is managed by your provider, with your business usually only paying a monthly subscription fee 'per user'.

Additionally, with a cloud-hosted VoIP solution, your phone numbers are not tied to a physical exchange or location. This means you don’t have to worry about losing your numbers when you move- increasing flexibility. Also, if you have a growing business or even plan on downsizing, you can easily add and remove lines as necessary. 

Below are some additional hosted VoIP features to consider:

• Unified communications

• Video and audio conferencing

• Chat messaging

• Advanced call routing

• Mobile & desktop Apps

• CRM (Customer Relationship Management) integration

• Virtual numbering

Is VoIP any better than ISDN?

The reality is that cloud-VoIP communications platforms are more feature rich, flexible, resilient, and cost-effective than outgoing solutions.

Plus, they allow you to make and receive calls on any device, from wherever you are, with the same numbers, without being tethered to a single location.

You can seamlessly integrate your business systems and apps with video chat and calls for communication and collaboration, so you’re closer to your customers and team members. With cloud-based systems, you can also access company work at any time, from any place. 

Factor in the lower costs that IP technology can bring and it makes sense to get a move on and upgrade to a hosted VoIP solution as soon as you can.

Need help making the switch?

We’re already helping lots of UK businesses transition from their legacy PSTN/ISDN systems to our cloud-hosted VoIP phone system. If you need help making the switch, contact us today.