Please see important update below about some relevant changes in the UK telecoms industry that will impact current telephone system users. Action should be taken by all UK businesses.
When will ISDN be switched off?
BT Group CEO Gavin Patterson has set a date of 2025 to switch off ISDN services from its Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). BT Group will no longer accept any new orders or amendments to services pertaining to any ISDN product as of 2020 with the final termination set for 2025.
VOIP Telephony is a sensible alternative to ISDN
BT is determined to slowly phase out legacy networks and platforms and bring the remaining outlying customers on to the single core IP network as soon as possible. Not all customers will stick with BT though, as it represents an opportunity for SIP and VoIP providers to challenge BT for the business. Hosted Telecoms is becoming more and more popular due to its low costs and high call quality and will likely take it’s place.
The two main types of VoIP Telephony
1: Hosted VoIP
Hosted VoIP is totally Cloud-based and best suited to SMEs who are looking for fixed cost business telephony with added functionality and reduced call costs. With Cloud Hosted VoIP each user has their own line and calls are routed through the internet.
2: SIP Trunks
Similar to traditional Telephony, you can have an on-premise telephone system but route your calls using SIP Trunks rather than ISDN channels. Some Cloud solutions can also utilise SIP Trunks for Telephony Users. SIP Trunks are best suited for larger businesses as this type of IP Telephony can prove more cost effective than Hosted VoIP if there are a lot of users.
Migrating to Hosted VoIP or SIP Trunking is easy
Businesses that still use ISDN can switch comfortably and quickly to SIP trunking or Hosted VoIP, with or without BT, as numbers can be ported and retained and the whole service can be set up within weeks. With BT price hikes in October 2018, and further expected again this year, there is no better time to consider the switch.
If you are looking to upgrade your business telephone systems in the near future or want to find out more about the two types of VoIP Telephony we provide, please get in touch with us.
More details about Purple Cloud can be found HERE.
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