ISDN Switch-off
It doesn’t seem that long ago that ISDN was considered a cutting edge technology. Now, it’s a business communication method that’s heading for extinction – ISDN lines within the UK will be switched off in 2025. The phase-out, however, starts in 2020 when businesses will no longer be able to purchase traditional ISDN.
It means that businesses currently relying on ISDN lines have a 60 month window of opportunity to find an alternative. So if you are still using ISDN should you start thinking about it now? The answer is…absolutely!
This gives you more time to review your connectivity in advance of the inevitable surge of enquiries and the consequential increase in lead times, especially if the telephone is essential to your business. Your own research could become time consuming and confusing. We would advise not to purchase an off-the-shelve product as it might not be suitable, especially if you’ll experience a business growth and need to rapidly expand or move premises. If you haven’t already received advice, we can help educate you by outlining the options available for your specific location and requirements.
One of the Alternatives
ISDN technology can no longer match the efficiency and cost benefits of internet-powered phone systems, such as VoIP office phone system and SIP. The advantages of the new technology include:
- Flexibility – create a system that matches your company’s exact needs
- Money savings – no line rentals and cheaper calls and free internal communications
- Work anywhere – employees connect from wherever they have a data connection
- Increase productivity – unlock smarter, faster and more efficient ways to work
- Future–proof – digital integration ready to work with tomorrow’s tech
- Scalability – systems can evolve and grow alongside your business
- Security – compliance tools to handle any regulatory demands
- Additional features – call recording, monitoring and tracking
- Fraud Protection – tools to help prevent toll fraud
It’s easy to Switch
Changing is relatively easy (this is another advantage of moving away from an ISDN network).
Assuming that your business has the internet infrastructure necessary to support the system, the installation is exceptionally fast – simply a case of plugging in the number of VoIP phones that your business needs.
Whether you have the right infrastructure will be determined beforehand by a site survey. To determine specific requirements for your business.
In the event that you will require additional infostructure your business won’t experience any downtime. All of your numbers will be reachable at all times and business can continue as usual.
Another benefit of switching is that you can keep all of your current phone numbers. Plus, if you would like additional numbers that have a different area code (say, a London-based code even if your business is located elsewhere), this is perfectly possible.
Final Thoughts
As investment in the traditional copper wire phone structure is phased out and the UK Government continues to invest in the national roll-out of an ultra-fast ‘full fibre’ network, the gap between old and new technology grows by the day.
So while the end of ISDN may be looming, the core reasons that any business should consider this now are: to benefit from the cost savings, be in control of the inevitable change, and ensure a convenient time frame for change.
Contact us today for a free, no obligation business telephony audit.
Call 0330 159 4000 or email sales@bdm-voice.co.uk
