03 May Why Are You Still Using ISDN?
The world is constantly evolving, but telephony is a sector of tech that hasn’t changed much over the years in comparison to others. However, there is now a wholesale change in motion; one that, if you are left behind, could leave your business playing catch up in the hunt for growth and success. 2025 is the deadline for BT to retire their ISDN services, so therefore it has become essential that you take the time to explore alternatives, to discover a modern capable option that is catered to the way you and your team work. This needs to be a revised decision that is planned, not a last-minute decision with a ‘fingers crossed’ approach.
Of course, apprehension is inevitable. We hope that these articles will help alleviate your concerns and assist you in making positive steps to see these changes as the opportunity they are – a chance to revitalise your business communications and connectivity with each other and your client base.
ISDN – What is it?
ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network and consists of a set of protocols which allow for the transmission of voice, video, and data across the vast and varying infrastructure of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). ISDN was the first high speed broadband that was made publicly available, and was one of the key reasons the world has grown into the fast, agile, connected place it is today.
Why change something that works?
A fair point to make, but that is the way technology is, with the greatest minds always finding ways to better our lives. Also, ISDN has got to the point where some of its aging components are becoming difficult to replace and some aren’t even being manufactured anymore. Most of the individuals with the knowhow for creating the systems are – rightly so – retiring or in the process of slowing down. Landline services have also seen a rapid decline in use, which has led ISDN to be a financially unviable choice for communications providers, (basically, revenue dropped and something has to budge).
What is the PSTN being replaced with?
As we mentioned previously, technological advancements are constant – and telephony is no different. Telecom’s operators are now constructing new revolution IP-based networks. They have been accommodating in the way they conducted the process of implementing the changes, so you shouldn’t have noticed a change in the way you work at all because they are replacing parts of the network in stages.
What you can do to prepare for the ISDN switch off
There are some businesses who are still investing hard earned capital on ISDN phone lines – they are paying a lot of money for temporary solutions, and wasting capital that could be better spent on long term gains for the business.
To make a successful transition to a full IP-based network you will need a VoIP phone service – you may not even know what one is, so we will explore this further in the next article in the series so as to guide you to the right revised decision for you. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and is the new ISDN for businesses.
VoIP telephony can be implemented in a variety of diverse ways, as follows:
- A hybrid phone system
A system that combines a mix of all technologies (IP, ISDN, analogue, and digital).
- A Cloud hosted phone system
A phone system that puts all the technical aspects in the hands of a provider. The infrastructure is not your concern, and this fact alone makes it a great option. When using a Cloud hosted phone system you utilise a virtual PBX that enables you to call from anywhere that has an internet connection – for modern day remote working to be possible this is essential, as you can appear to be in the office when being active anywhere in the world.
- A SIP trunk
These function as ‘Virtual Phone Lines’ which you can purchase and plug into any compatible PBX server.
- IP phone system.
This is like a traditional phone system only with IP enabled handsets connected via ethernet cables to a local area or wide area network.
In our following article we will explore VoIP in more detail and, hopefully, point you in the right direction toward a better-connected future.
Modern technology to help you thrive securely
Technology is pivotal to your business and we want you to understand the value it provides when it is allowed to work seamlessly with your operations on the most updated tools available. Apogee values transparency and simplicity – we provide the IT support you need when you need it. Within this support is the guarantee that your technology is secure against all manner of cyber threats, that it is operationally beneficial to the way you run your business and is always updated to the latest version. We will work alongside you and guide you into a secure, bright future with technology as your ally. Contact us now to find out how we can help you.
