Five questions for businesses and schools ahead of the BT standard telephone line switch off

Have you heard that BT plans to “switch off” all the country’s “traditional” phone lines by 2025? That might sound like a long way away, but the reality is that if your business has multiple phone lines, the switch off means you’ll probably need to change systems. Luckily, if you change to a VoIP (Voice-over Internet Protocol) system, you can remove a lot of potential headaches and save some money in the process.

Here’s what you should be asking about the switch off, and how changing to a VoIP system has some huge upsides:

Why are BT carrying out the “switch-off”?

The rise in broadband technology has meant the older and traditional PSTN and ISDN phone lines have become out-dated. Shutting these lines off is a part of plans by BT to moved towards fibre for both voice calls and data.

How does this affect my business?

If you have a traditional phone system, the reality is that it will need to be replaced by 2025 with an alternative system or have an addition to ensure compatibility. As of next year, you’ll also no longer be able to buy or order a traditional PSTN or ISDN phone lines from BT.

What are the main benefits of my business using VoIP?

The most attractive aspect of VoIP to many businesses is cost. It’s cheaper to run than traditional telephony systems; it’s been shown that some businesses save as much as 40% on call costs compared to their previous system.

The new technology also means the costs of adding phone lines, as well as the costs of making calls, will all get reduced. If you consider how much you could save over the next four years, rather than waiting, then the decision to make the move now becomes something of a no-brainer.

What other benefits are there if I make the move early?

As well as the attractive pricing Equations can offer, there are other huge benefits to a business investing in a VoIP system.

1. VoIP has fantastic call handling features — hunt groups, auto assistant, easy transferring, automated receptions and emergency messages are among them.
2. As your business grows, adding new lines and numbers with VoIP is easier and cheaper than traditional systems.
3. With VoIP, conference and video calls can be available at the touch of a button.
4. When you plug your VoIP phone in to a data connection anywhere across the globe it retains the same phone number —which is great in an age of increasingly flexible working.

How does my internet connection affect VoIP?

Many people assume that VoIP must rely on a superfast broadband connection to work effectively; but that’s just not the case! If your internet is painfully slow, then now may be the time for us to look at the upgrade options so you can benefit from VoIP. VoIP is already suitable for the vast majority of businesses across the country, but if your internet is currently slow, we can suggest different options for you.

If you’re considering moving away from your current exchange lines or phone system and want to find out how much you could save by making the move, please give us a call on 01237 420010.

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