It feels like half a lifetime ago that we started talking about the great ISDN switch off and yet here we are at the first great milestone!  2023 is the year that BT stop installing any brand new traditional copper phone lines, in preparation for the dissolution of the entire network in 2025.

If it feels like the end of an era…well, that’s because it is! BT has been the stalwart of the British communications system for decades. But now, we can all hold the entire internet in our pocket and the demand for domestic landlines has slumped massively.  The business world has been a little slower to catch up but they’re running out of time. 

Many commercial businesses are still relying on those traditional lines BUT now is absolutely the time to retire that old tech and catch up with the rest of the world. Of course you can still use your existing lines for another two years but what’s the point in delaying the inevitable? Chances are you’ll get caught up in that last minute rush and end up paying far more in the long run. 

Need a little help making the leap? We’ve got you. 

What am I switching to? 

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is not new technology but it is set to absolutely revolutionise business communications in the wake of the ISDN switch off. In short, it means that all of your phone calls are placed via the internet rather than through those traditional copper lines.  Internet based calls are cheaper, more reliable and offer so much more versatility than the traditional system, you’ll wonder what took you so long.  

What are the benefits? 

Using VoIP for your business communications is significantly cheaper than using the current system with some businesses reporting savings of as much as 80% on recurring costs. You could also save on international calls if this is part of your business model.  

VoIP also allows huge flexibility for your staff. If working remotely, your team can simply take their VoIP handset home with them and plug into a broadband router to recreate their office anywhere they like. They’ll have access to your business network as though they were in the office and customers will still be able to use the same numbers to reach them.

The quality of a VoIP system does not diminish as more users are added. So if you need lots of staff to be making lots of calls, VoIP is better quality and far cheaper. If your staff levels change seasonally or you need to make quick changes for economic reasons, all your new team members need is a handset and phone number to get up and running. 

If you’d like to talk to the team about switching your business comms now ahead of the rush, please do get in touch for a no obligation chat.