What is happening?

In 2025 BT are switching off their Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) services, thereafter every phone line in the UK will be digital, affecting all residential and business customers.

For businesses it is not just your phone services you need to consider. You also need to think about services that run on your phone line using the existing PSTN network. For example, card payment terminals, security alarms, EPOS machines, door entry systems and CCTV. .

Why is it happening?

Technology has evolved significantly and quite simply the PSTN network has become out-dated and costly to maintain. The infrastructure has been in place so long you probably do not even notice the overhead telephone lines strung across our landscape anymore and you will consider even less the web of cables buried beneath the ground, most of which have been in place for decades.

What are the alternatives?

The retiring of the telephone network as we know it would not be happening if there was no new technology to replace it. Below is an overview of digital solutions.

VoIP: stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and allows you to make and receive phone calls over the internet.

SIP: stands for Session Initiation Protocol and rather than just sending voice data like the VoIP phone system, SIP will send and receive any multimedia data such as video calls.

SoGEA: is a product that enables users to purchase a broadband connection without a phone line. With the rising use of mobile phones, many of us no longer use our landlines to make or receive calls. Therefore, if you do not require a line for calls but you need a broadband service then SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access) is the answer.

4G & 5G: With the development of 4G and 5G networks across the UK, another alternative is to use your mobile phone as you main point of contact rather than having a traditional landline.

What you require of your telephony will dictate which solution is right for you.

Should I be worried?

Many businesses have already adopted a digital model, moving their communications to the cloud, making calls over the internet and embracing video conferencing. If you have the supporting infrastructure, then there is no reason why an educated and planned migration to digital lines cannot be considered now.

Unfortunately there will be telecoms companies out there that’ll play on the FUD (Fear, Uncertainly, Doubt) of those trying to get to grips with the changes. We’re hearing more and more stories of companies being encouraged to sign up to restrictive 5, 7 and even 10 year contracts now, with a promise to future-proof them against the changes ‘nearer the time’. We consider this unethical and misleading. We at Yestech will be more than happy to talk you through the changes and technology in plain English; let’s start with the paragraph above; “supporting infrastructure”…quite a fancy way of saying “fibre internet line”, but that’s really all you’ll need to get started on an exciting new digital telephone system!

What are the benefits?

More often than not change is not welcome, however, moving to this newer technology offers all the same benefits as we see now and plenty of new ones. In addition, choosing Yestech brings you all of the following great features including:

  • Lower costs
  • Freedom from contracts
  • Greater mobility/scalability
  • Call statistics more easily accessible
  • Quick-change implementation, e.g. call routing and diverts
  • Integration with your business-specific operating software
  • 24/7/365 live support

To discuss your options, ask questions or simply get an overview of how Yestech has been providing the post-2025 digital technology since 2007, contact us on 0800 524 4293, sales@yestech.co.uk