An infrastructure that we have relied on for decades will cease to exist. BT has already started to wind down their products and services that rely on PSTN/ISDN. As they make their shift to digital-only offerings, other industries are following suit with more and more businesses turning to the more modern alternatives of cloud-based telephony.

So what exactly does the switch-off mean for businesses and what impact will it have on day-to-day operations?

What does the PSTN/ISDN switch off mean for business?

Though the switch off deadline still feels far away, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Quite simply, those currently using PSTN or ISDN must evolve or risk becoming extinct, unable to keep pace with their digital-savvy competitors. By 2025, those that do not migrate to a digital telephone system will have no working telecoms to speak of.

However, this does not mean the decision should be rushed. Careful consideration of a future communications provider, particularly for rapidly scaling businesses, is needed to avoid your telephone system becoming a problem again later down the line.

At this crucial time, decision makers must see their choice telecoms as an investment in the future of their business. Considering the options sooner rather than later and while there is still plenty of time could make the difference between adopting a future-proofed telephony system, and one that needs replacing in 5 years due to further technological advancements.

When choosing a replacement telephone system, it should be an upgrade on the current system such as a cloud-based VoIP product that can stand the test of time and offer greater flexibility than wired telephony. It should also easily integrate with other key business systems and software. Siloed telecoms will only create efficiency issues further down the line.

The newfound benefits of using VoIP technology

Adopting a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system continues to be a growing trend among businesses for a number of reasons. VoIP allows businesses to make and receive calls through its existing internet, rather than the PSTN or an ISDN network. This service will help businesses overcome the upcoming PSTN/ ISDN obsolescence and will open avenues for additional benefits that were not previously available.

Cost efficiency aside, VoIP phone systems are favoured for the flexibility they offer. Cloud-based VoIP services allow you to make calls from anywhere and include additional features to integrate key Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business tools with your telephony system. With remote working in mind, VoIP is a key enabler of the “work from anywhere” model that is becoming dominant across industries.

Being able to work from anywhere, at any time without seeing a negative impact on productivity or efficiency is now increasingly expected of all business systems - business communication tools are perhaps leading the way here.

Cloud-based services also depend on the fastest speeds the internet can provide and as we move into a world of 5G, which we know is 20 times faster than 4G, there are no doubts that it will enhance VoIP for businesses and become the new global standard utilised by all.

Implementing future-proof telephone systems

To best prepare for the switch off, business leaders first need to understand what telephony solutions are on offer to replace PSTN and ISDN. Ensuring the right technology is adopted that not only meets your current business needs but also needs that may arise in the future, is the most important consideration for businesses surrounding the switch off.

I would urge all businesses and organisations to invest time, effort, and research into the telecom alternatives to ensure you get what you need from  this service. If you still aren’t sure or feel a bit lost in the jargon, then seek advice! Get recommendations from others in your industry or check online for expert insights, do all of this before you sign the dotted line to make sure you aren’t having to revisit your telecoms decision again too soon. CircleLoop will always be happy to offer friendly, jargon-free support to those looking to make the switch, before the big switch off.