The end of ISDN is approaching, what should you do?

Did you know the UK is set to discontinue traditional ISDN phone lines by 2027? As of 2027, ISDN and PSTN circuits will be switched off and customers will move over to Cloud Telephone Systems. But, what should your business do in the meantime and what will these changes mean for your business?

WHAT IS THE ISDN SWITCH OFF?

The ISDN switch-off refers to the process of discontinuing the use and support of ISDN technology by telecommunications companies in favour of more modern and advanced technologies powered by broadband internet.

Many UK businesses are still using the ISDN system and will require upgrade to a newer system before the end date.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF THE ISDN SWITCH OFF?

The largest risk facing businesses around the subject of the ISDN switch off is complete loss of phone communication. If a businesses are not prepared before the switch off date they might find that they’re at a back of a long queue of instillations whilst also having no telephone system. This could cost businesses customers and revenue.

WILL ANYTHING ELSE BE AFFECTED BY THE ISDN SWITCH OFF?

Some CCTV and Alarm systems use the ISDN / PSTN network and might be affected by the ISDN switch off. Get in contact with your providers to ensure your business is still protected.

WHAT IS ISDN?

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a set of communication standard for transmitting voice, video, and data over digital telephone lines or copper telephone lines. It was designed to allow digital transmission of voice and data over existing telephone networks, making it possible to transmit high-quality digital signals over long distances.

WHAT IS PSTN?

PSTN stands for Public Switched Telephone Network, and it refers to the traditional analog network that has been in use for many decades. It is a circuit-switched network that uses copper wires to transmit voice and data between devices.
PSTN is a reliable and well-established technology, PSTN is still used in many businesses services such as landline phones, fax machines and alarm systems, but its use is declining as more users turn to digital alternatives.

ARE ISDN LINES STILL AVAILABLE?

Many locations around the UK can no longer request a new ISDN line to be installed. Although it’s frustrating for a small amount of the population, it is the correct choice to prevent irritated customers as they would have to pay for a VoIP phone system shortly after.

WHEN WILL BE ISDN LINE BE SWITCHED OFF?

Your UK landline will be shut off in January of 2027 along with all PSTN/ISDN telephone systems. At that point the entire UK should have adequate internet connection to support a VoIP telephone system.

WHAT IS REPLACING ISDN?

In short, PSTN and ISDN circuits will be replaced by VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems. To make the switch, your business can either opt for a hosted system or talk to us about upgrading your existing phone system so that you can connect it to your broadband connection.

With a hosted system, your calls will be delivered via the internet and there will be no need for telephone system hardware (other than handsets), dedicated telephone lines or specialised engineers. With a hosted voice system, you’ll be able to enjoy cheaper call rates, free site-to-site calls, the ability to pick up calls across multiple devices and the facility to add users quickly and easily while benefiting from HD call quality and recording. Your business phone system will become more scalable and flexible to your company’s needs.

If you choose to keep an on-premises business phone system, you will be able to enjoy all the benefits of VoIP, such as scalability, HD quality calls and cost savings. Instead of PSTN or ISDN circuits, your business will need SIP Trunks – virtual telephone lines that create a phone line over your internet connection. SIP trunks are great for flexible working, have built-in disaster recovery and can be scaled up or down without the need for additional physical line installation.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE AN ISDN LINE?

There are a few ways to determine if you have traditional phone lines:

1. There might be a BT ISDN 2e box installed near the entrance of your building.
2. Contact your service provider: Your telephone or internet service provider can tell you if ISDN connections are available in your area and if you have an ISDN line.

WHY ARE BT GOING TO STOP SELLING ISDN?

Maintaining legacy networks is extremely expensive and BT need to move with the fast pace of communications technology, while still giving customers enough time to make the switch.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF ISDN?

There are several disadvantages of ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) when compared to newer technologies such as SIP Trunks and VoIP:

1. No Multi Call – The technology does not support multiple simultaneous calls which is a requirement for any successful business.
2. Cost: ISDN requires special equipment and installation, which can be costly. Modern Broadband use existing telephone and cable infrastructure, making them cheaper to install and maintain.
3. Availability: ISDN is no longer commonly offered by telephone and internet service providers, especially in developed countries. Fibre Broadband are more widely available and are the standard for internet access in most areas – providing higher speed.
4. Maintenance: ISDN lines required specific knowledge and expertise for maintenance, and the equipment is getting old and hard to find.

TIME UNTIL ISDN / PSTN EXPIRES

What should your business do before ISDN Switch Off?

1. Start exploring VoIP

Start looking into VoIP systems. Check that you have a good internet connection that will be able to deliver VoIP services and see if your business telephone system already supports VoIP (many new office phone systems do).

You may want to check the terms of your contracts, see if you can make cost savings by switching early and work out when will be a good time for your business to make the change. Enreach operate a scrappage scheme to help you upgrade so it is worth speaking to your provider and talking through your options.

2. Don’t panic

There is a lot of progress that needs to be made for the switch off to become a reality. The UK will see a full fibre rollout, increasing our connectivity, and BT will ensure that the 33.2 million fixed landlines in the country are catered for. As a business, the best option is to familiarise yourself with the new technology and speak to your business telecoms provider about how to modernise your system.

3. Get in touch

Here at Enreach, our team of expert advisors are always on hand to talk to both new and existing customers about the move away from the ISDN line and how we can help you make the switch. We are more than happy to talk through any questions or concerns that you may have. Just call 0333 251 3659, talk to us instantly on our chat bot or email enquiries.uk@enreach.com

THE BENEFITS OF VOIP

CALL QUALITY

Call quality is arguably the most important factor to consider when choosing a phone system. Enjoy the crystal clear calls that are vital for your business.

MULTI-FUNCTIONALITY

Delivers many more features than traditional phone systems. They offer other communication services such as: instant messaging, teleconferencing and video calls.

SECURITY

Security against telecoms fraud is vital for every business. VoIP offers you more protection as it’s far more secure than traditional analogue telephone connections.

PORTABILITY

With the number of remote workers increasing at a rapid rate flexibility is essential. VoIP phones offer portability as they can be used anywhere so they are ideal for remote working.

FEATURE PACKED

VoIP phone systems come with a lot of added extras as standard, compared to traditional phone systems. These features were created to make processes easier and more automated.

COST EFFECTIVE

The system is cheaper to purchase and install with very little hardware costs. In addition, call costs are significantly cheaper when compared to traditional phone systems.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What is a business phone system and what equipment do you need?

A business telephone system is a phone system which improves your company’s ability to communicate at scale.

Traditional phone systems are built using analogue technology, this system is expensive and lacks features which modern businesses require to be successful.

Modern features such as:

• Multi line holding
• Auto attendant
• Download Voicemails
• Call recording
• CRM software connections
• Mobile integration

Modern day VoIP business phone systems use the Internet instead of a landline to transfer voice data at a much faster speed and at a lower cost.

The system is made up of a phone, computer, internet connection and a PBX box either hosted in the office or on the cloud. Cloud hosted PBX boxes help businesses become more dynamic with their work allowing for employees to work from home whilst retaining an office phone number and all the system features.

Will I lose my number with the ISDN switch off?

No, if you transfer your number to a new VoIP system you can almost always transfer your current number.

Will other service such as CCTV and alarms be affected by the PSTN/ISDN switch off?

If these services are connected to the PSTN / ISDN network then they will be affected when the system is switched off.  Some CCTV and alarm systems rely on these networks to transmit data such as alarm triggers, video feeds and remote access.

Many modern systems already use IP or mobile internet systems to transmit data, which would not be affected by the ISDN switch off. For safety and security, you should consult your service providers to understand if your connected systems will be affected and if an upgrade is required.

Can I use my old handsets on a new VoIP phone system?

In some cases, it is possible to use older phone handsets on a new VoIP phone system by implementing additional hardware or adapters to make the connection. This is not recommended as there is a high chance some of the beneficial features of the VoIP phone system will not correctly function.

What if my business does not have a broadband connection?

If your current business location does not have access to reliable & stable internet connection, we could provide a lease line.

A Lease Line is a private internet line to a single customer typically used by businesses, this type of connection provides a dedicated and reliable connection between business location and ISP. This is in contrast to a consumer broadband connection, which is typically shared among multiple customers and may provide different speeds for uploads and downloads.

How do I install the new business phones?

Depending on the phone system you choose we have many options to help you install the phones.

In many cases the system will be a simple plug and play. If you occur problems our support team have exceptional facilities to live video guide you through installation.

We provide free on site support for large installations or issues unresolvable by call/video.

Can I use my current internet connection for VoIP?

Yes, VoIP relies on a broadband connection. The biggest recommendation that Enreach can make is to ensure the bandwidth and reliability of your broadband is suitable for VoIP services. Minimise any potential disruptions by enquiring about business phone systems now, rather than at the point of the isdn switch-off.

What support is available during the transition?

When submitting an inquiry to Enreach you can be assured that our comprehensive support during the transition, including planning, installation, testing, and troubleshooting assistance reduces any potential stresses. You will know exactly what is needed and how Enreach can help manage your business phone system.

What equipment will I need to switch from ISDN to VoIP?

To switch from ISDN to VoIP, Enreach recommend getting in contact with us to assess your business needs to ensure service, hardware and setup can be completed prior to ISDN becoming end-of-life. During the assessment our experienced support team can provide the recommendations to keep your business connected with your customers.