What does the ISDN switch-off mean for your business?

Depending on how your current phone system is hosted, this could dramatically affect your business telephone system.

What is ISDN?

ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. It’s a set of communication standards used for transmitting both voice and data over digital telephone lines. ISDN was developed in the 1980s and gained popularity in the 1990s as a more advanced alternative to traditional analogue phone lines.

Now, however, this technology is incapable of supporting the volume or quality of calls and voice data required for our digital world. In 2015, BT announced that in 2025, ISDN will be switched off, and all calls will be made via the internet. This is known as VoIP.

What Does the ISDN Switch off mean for your business?

Depending on your current telephone system, the ISDN switch-off could affect your business.

For businesses that rely on ISDN for their communication infrastructure, the switch-off can have several implications:

Technology Obsolescence – from April 2025, the ISDN lines will begin switching off; this will be completed by December 2025. Because of this phase-out, your business may find that the technology they are currently using will become obsolete.

If you have invested in a new system recently, your provider should have recommended a system that doesn’t rely on ISDN. If you have any questions or want to check what system you are currently operating, you should speak to your current provider.

Equipment Replacement – If your business uses ISDN-specific hardware (such as ISDN-compatible PBX systems or phones), you may need to replace or upgrade this equipment to work with the new digital infrastructure. This is something InReach provide, so give us a call to discuss your requirements.

Cost Considerations – Moving to newer technologies like VoIP can lead to cost savings in the long run. Still, there might be initial expenses associated with equipment upgrades, installation, and training. Therefore, this is something you should consider for your business budget.

How can InReach support your business during and following the switch-off?

There are two options when it comes to switching to a telephony system in preparation for the ISDN switch-off. You can find out more by watching our video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKviX0oozS8

SIP – Session Initiation Protocol

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) telephone systems are a type of communication technology to initiate and manage voice and video calls over the internet. SIP is a signalling protocol for establishing, maintaining, modifying, and terminating real-time sessions involving video, voice, messaging, and other communications applications and services between two or more endpoints on IP networks.

Some of the key features of SIP systems include the following;

• Unified Communications: SIP systems often integrate various communication channels, including voice, video, messaging, and presence, into a unified platform.
• Mobility: Users can make and receive calls from any SIP-enabled device with an internet connection, providing flexibility and mobility.
• Scalability: SIP systems can easily scale to accommodate the needs of growing businesses by adding more SIP phones or extensions.
• Cost-Efficiency: SIP systems can offer cost savings, especially for long-distance and international calls, compared to traditional PSTN lines.

Hosted Cloud Based System 

Cloud-based telephony, also known as cloud telephony or cloud-based VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), is a communication system that delivers voice and other communication services over the internet. Instead of relying on traditional landlines or on-premises hardware, cloud-based telephony leverages cloud computing technology to manage and facilitate communication services.

Our iNTALK system is our own cloud-based telephony system.

Some of the key features include;

Scalable – our iNTALK system is scalable for all business sizes, making it well-suited to any organisation.

User-friendly – our system has a user-friendly interface, making it easy for you to monitor and manage all of your business communications.

Security – iNTALK offers multifactor authentication, making it a completely secure and flexible platform for your business needs.

Find out more about the benefits of using iNTALK for your business here.

ISDN Switch off – Final Thoughts 

The ISDN switch-off will not be fully complete until December 2025. However, the new technology is readily available for your business, so why wait

If you make the switch now, you will be in the best position when the switch-off begins in 2025, with little to no disruption to your business telephone communications.

Contact the team at InReach today to discuss your options and make a future-proof plan.

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