Traditional analogue phone lines will completely cease in January 2027.
While this may sound scary, it’s a great leap forward for the UK, as we move fully into the digital age and join other countries who have already made the switch. Consider this the phone equivalent of swapping to digital TV channels; more choice, better connection and reliability – and unknown possibilities.
If you’re one of the estimated 75% of small to medium businesses still relying on old connections, read on to find out how to navigate the switchover.
Why the Switch Off?
The ISDN network (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a hybrid solution which has extended the usability of traditional lines (PSTN or Public Switched Telephone Network) by integrating digital technology with them. This has served as a stopgap to the fully digital migration for some time, however this has also become outdated and the cost to maintain ISDN has now become far too high.
Modern IP (Internet Protocol) technology (you may have heard of VoIP; Voice over Internet Protocol) brings far greater functionality and flexibility to suit the needs of the 21st Century. It therefore became recognised as the next step for phonelines – the question was around when it would happen.
This inevitable switch, combined with the increased costs of maintaining old infrastructure year-on-year, led to the migration to IP solutions beginning in 2021.
How will it affect my business?
Disruption should be minimal, but for large businesses it may take some time to manage the switch, and you may need to share comms across the business to help you manage it.
Your current supplier will likely already be in touch with you, and you may even have made the switch already!
So, if it’s something you’ve not quite got round to addressing yet, now is a good time to explore your options and consider making the shift.
What are my options?
There are two main options for businesses moving forward to IP; on-premises and cloud-based solutions.
Cloud-based
Ah, the elusive cloud. This is a virtual storage facility, managed by service providers and powered by data centres across the world.
This option – the most widespread – increases opportunities for integration; essentially any internet-enabled device can be added to your business network by simple configuration. As well as requiring much less hardware – outside of the devices you wish to connect – connectivity is improved, making remote working and call diverting easier.
The Wayv app allows full flexibility and easily scales with your business needs.
On-premises
Also referred to as ‘non-hosted’, on-premises systems rely on the business owning and maintaining its own infrastructure. As the name suggests, the hardware required is greater if you choose an on-premises solution, and this means you’ll also have to manage updates manually.
While less often chosen by companies, some opt for on-premises solutions due to security needs, maintaining strict control of their network.
There’s a good chance that you’ll already be aware of the switch-off, as providers have been migrating users over to the new technology for some time. However, it’s also possible that you’ve been reluctant to make the shift while you can postpone it.
If you do fit into that category, it’s time to get serious about making the move!
Wayv can help you navigate the switch and optimise your business communications.
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