Gavin Patterson the CEO of BT announced at an investor meeting that BT has set a date of 2025 to switch off ISDN services from its Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Starting with a cease in supply in 2020 and moving to a full migration by 2025.
According to Ofcom, there are 33.2 million fixed landlines in the UK (including ISDN). Approximately 7.6 million of these belong to businesses. BT is determined to slowly phase out legacy networks and platforms. The intention being all customers will migrate to the IP network as soon as possible.
Businesses that still use ISDN can switch comfortably and quickly to SIP trunking or hosted VoIP with or without BT. Their numbers can be ported and retained and the whole service can be set up within weeks.
Although the BT ISDN end-of-life is set to 2025, BT has not yet set anything in stone. Whilst you’ll be unable to purchase ISDN and PSTN systems after 2020, it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be switched off. BT will NOT turn them off before they have an alternative firmly in place.
The final date is dependent on how successful UK-wide fibre roll-outs are. Without the connectivity to run there is no real alternative to ISDN.
Is it your Time to Switch?
We would recommend that you should take into consideration what will need to change by 2024 at the latest, and there is no harm in understanding the changes coming. The advice we would give is to make changes now if it makes sense for your business, and we are more than happy to help you decide free of charge. If you were not aware, not only will your phones need upgrading but if you use any of the following, you will need to prepare for this change.
- Telephone Call Lines
- Fax lines
- Alarm lines
- Credit card machines
- Broadband lines
- Lift lines
For more information about these upgrades, read our blog ‘The withdrawal of PSTN lines in 2025‘ which states the specific upgrades needed for each of the products listed.
Connectivity in the UK is getting faster, ISDN and PSTN are outdated technologies simply not as good as modern VoIP. Whichever options you choose, cloud-based telephony is the future of communication and it will be here sooner than you think so get planning now and make sure your business doesn’t get left behind.
Why not get in touch today at 0345 389 2310 or email enquiries@tech-ip.co.uk to discuss your options? Alternatively, you can visit our Office VoIP Phone Systems page to find out how this great technology could improve your business.
