Impact of the ISDN Switch Off on Business Communications
Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) is a circuit-switched telephone network that transmits voice, video, data and other network services through the Public Switched Telephone Network (PTSN) digital circuits.
According to the British Telecom (BT) announcement, ISDN and PSTN will be permanently turned off by 2025. Traditional landlines are becoming antiquated as we move into the digital age.
Due to the increasing cost of maintaining PSTN/ISDN and the convenience offered by VoIP phone systems, telecom operators are moving away from outdated telephony.
Small businesses are under more pressure when upgrading the phone system to prepare for ISDN switch-off. But it can be the perfect opportunity to take your business to the next level.
Since the ISDN switch-off is coming closer, it is important to understand what it means and why you should shift your business communication to advanced phone systems. In this article, we will describe the impact of the ISDN switch-off on business communications.
What Is ISDN Switch Off?
As described above, the copper-based PSTN and ISDN will be turned off by 2025. This process started in 2020 and will continue over the next few years as businesses move to fully digital networks.
This switch-off will impact business and home phone lines and other non-voice services connected to ISDN or PSTN, like CCTV systems, alarms and EPOS machines. It means existing infrastructure and hardware that rely on this technology will no longer work.
Instead, you will need handsets that can work on internet protocol (IP) technology to transmit voice in digital format using an internet connection when you make or receive a call.
What Is The Reason To Switch Off ISDN?
The simple answer is that ISDN has become too old and outdated to maintain advanced business communication. The PSTN, a telephone network that operates on copper wires, has remained largely unaltered since the prime era of public telephone networks.
On the other hand, ISDN, a digital platform introduced in the 1980s, offered a significantly enhanced service that permitted users to transmit voice data, video, and other forms of data.
However, with the passage of time and the increasing demand for high-quality and high-volume data transmission in our present hyper-connected digital world, neither the ISDN nor the PSTN technologies can fulfil these requirements.
In other words, we can say that due to its lack of adaptability and restriction of businesses to a fixed physical location, the ISDN network, which relies on the PSTN lines, has become obsolete.
With the shift towards cloud-based solutions, IP technology has become a much more advanced system.
How Can ISDN Switch Off Effect Small Businesses?
In 2025, when BT discontinues its ISDN, small businesses will not be able to use their phone systems which use ISDN anymore. All the devices or equipment that use it will be useless in future.
So we all know this change is inevitable, and the ISDN switch-off can cause a positive impact on businesses. New technologies like voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) offer new opportunities, and switching to these communication systems will be the first step towards the digital transformation of your business.
Switching to advanced telephony from ISDN is similar to switching from VHS to DVD.
On the one hand, you are a perfect means of showing a film; on the other hand, you can include better quality, advanced features and a more exciting experience.
How Can You Convert ISDN Switch Off Into Strategic Advantage?
Although it is difficult for businesses to shift their communication system from ISDN to advanced telephony, businesses can streamline their communication and turn it into a strategic advantage.
1. Change Temporary Measures Into Permanent Ones
Following the nationwide lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, many businesses opted to remain operational by adopting a remote working solution.
While some resorted to reimbursing their employees’ personal mobile and home broadband expenses and hastily purchasing laptops and mobile devices, others enlisted the help of a communications service provider to devise a remote working strategy. Regardless of the approach, these temporary measures can serve as the groundwork for a digital transformation.
VoIP and cloud telephony phone systems can effectively integrate your disparate telecommunications infrastructure. It can be deployed on various personal and business devices and implemented remotely.
By consolidating all expenses and usage, you gain better control over expenses and can begin streamlining processes to create a more robust infrastructure.
2. Move Away From Foxed Office Infrastructure
VoIP or cloud telephony technology presents numerous benefits beyond keeping your phones operational. You can leverage these advantages to gain a competitive edge for your business.
Moving away from ISDN landlines allows for greater workplace flexibility, enabling you to downsize your physical office space and decrease property overheads.
VoIP and cloud telephony facilitate fast and cost-effective growth as your business expands. If you have a remote working solution, this process becomes even smoother, as you won’t necessarily require additional office space.
Reduced dependence on physical space also broadens your recruitment possibilities, allowing you to attract talented employees from farther locations.
Furthermore, your business can expand geographically, sending your sales team to regional locations to better understand your customers and foster stronger networking.
3. Provide a Better Customer Experience
The ISDN switch-off also allows businesses to align their communication with their customers to provide a better experience. Providing a better customer experience is important because 86% of customers agree to pay more for a better customer experience.
You must look at the latest trends to ensure your communication channels are optimized and future-proofed. If your customers want to connect with you through text, chatbot, or WhatsApp, upgrade your telephony plan to meet their expectations.
It is always better to have a unified communication system so customers can contact you through any channel. It is possible by having a phone system like VoIP that uses cloud technology.
By 2025, 52% of the contact centers plan to have a unified communication system. It means it is time to consolidate your communication systems and connect all your channels.
4. Prepare For ISDN Switch Off
We have seen that ISDN switch-off will affect almost all businesses across the UK, especially small businesses which do not have any planning for digital transformation.
There is still some time before the deadline of 2025, so businesses have the opportunity to move towards advanced communication technologies and take control of their future.
This technology change will help them to obtain serious operational advantages.
Final Words - ISDN Switch Off
Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) is a circuit-switched telephone network that transmits voice, video, data and other network services through the Public Switched Telephone Network (PTSN) digital circuits. ISDN switch-off refers to discontinuing the copper-based PSTN and ISDN by 2025. This process started in 2020 and will continue over the next few years as businesses move to fully digital networks. The switch-off will impact business, home phone lines, and other non-voice services connected to ISDN or PSTN, like CCTV systems, alarms, and EPOS machines.
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