ISDN and PSTN Transition: What Businesses Need to Know

This transition offers a chance for businesses to reevaluate their communication approach and adopt modern, sustainable solutions.

Enreach, UK - March 25, 2024 - With the looming switch-off of ISDN and PSTN circuits, businesses in the UK will have no choice but to update their phone systems to the cloud before December 2025. This is when the old networks will be turned off. These older networks are being replaced with newer technology, such as VoIP as well as the discontinuation of ISDN and PSTN; broadband lines with a dial tone such as ADSL and FTTC are also being discontinued and replaced with new products such as SOGEA and FTTP (Fiber to the Premise).

Small and medium-sized businesses who have been late adopters of this technology shift must consider how this switch will affect them sooner rather than later. The good news is, is that these products can also offer better speeds, improved stability, and cost savings.

John Morris, Chief Technology Officer at Enreach UK, emphasises, "The shift from ISDN to VoIP isn't merely about adopting the latest technology; it's about ensuring business continuity and resilience, especially for SMEs. Unlike larger corporations who are more likely to have dedicated IT departments, smaller-sized businesses may need more resources to navigate the ISDN and PSTN switch off transition easily”.

As a business the impact of switching off ISDN doesn’t just apply to phone calls alone. There are the wider implications of other services and applications to consider that may be connected to the ISDN infrastructure. Some of these may require considerable time and money to reconfigure or replace. If these dependencies are not addressed, they could lead to downtime and even revenue loss.

Often overlooked aspects that will cause potential disruption to vital services that rely on ISDN or PSTN lines, include but aren't limited to, alarm systems, payment terminals, or commercial lifts. The ISDN switch-off is not only about upgrading phone systems; it is about ensuring the smooth operation of wider essential business functions.

This transition offers a chance for businesses to reevaluate their communication approach and adopt modern, sustainable solutions.

VoIP systems provide advanced features and allow for continuous integration with different business applications, including customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, and team collaboration tools.

The move to VoIP means you will use SIP Trunks to communicate externally using the internet. This offers greater flexibility and cost efficiency, and with SIP Trunks, meaning there is no need for physical phone lines, businesses can scale their communication infrastructure in line with their business as it changes and grows.

Enreach UKs Contact platform provides an integrated SIP Trunking solution as part of the licence cost meaning your business can easily switch from traditional telephony to VoIP without causing any significant disruptions to your operations, as well as enjoying an extra cost saving with no additional charge for SIP trunks like many other platforms.

“Businesses need more than just technology. they need a communications partner who can guide them through every step of the transition. We support businesses with simple solutions that empower SMEs to confidently embrace the future of communications".

We urge businesses to take steps now to safeguard their business as the countdown to the ISDN switch-off continues.

If you don’t know where to begin, simply start by assessing your current setup, identifying what your business needs for your communications, and choose a provider that can match your requirements.

Your chosen provider will handle equipment compatibility, ensure network readiness, port numbers, configure systems, test your system, and train your teams, guiding and supporting you throughout the entire process.

By partnering with a trusted provider and embracing modern solutions like VoIP and SIP Trunking, businesses can mitigate the risks associated with the switch-off and unlock unforeseen advantages in terms of efficiency, productivity, and connectivity.

Enreach UK is here to help businesses who need hands on advice, guidance on transitioning and deployment to VoIP, by providing the right solution for your businesses.

To book a free consultation or have a chat about how we can help you move to the cloud, contact us today on 0800 097 6543. Or email us at: enquiries.uk@enreach.com.

About Enreach UK

Enreach UK is a leading telecommunications solutions provider that helps businesses optimise their operations and communication capabilities. Focusing on customer satisfaction and technical excellence, Enreach UK helps businesses of all sizes embrace the future of communications confidently.

For more information visit: https://enreach.co.uk/business-telephony/cloud-telephony/.