BT announced in 2015-16 that from 2020 you will no longer be able to purchase anymore ISDN lines and they have a target date of 2025 to switch off ISDN completely.
The reason for this phase out is it’s BT’s way of giving a little tip of the hat in acknowledgement that communication has changed and that IP (Internet over Protocol) is the best next step for businesses to take; so, they have decided not to invest any more time and money into a technology that won’t enhance the business world.
If you have ISDN, you still have time because of the advance notice that BT have given. BTT advise that if your telephony contract is up for renewal in the next two years that you start exploring alternatives and put a plan in place by September 2019.
There are two main alternatives to ISDN; Hosted VoIP and SIP trunks.
Hosted VoIP is cloud based and best suited to small-medium sized businesses who are looking for the functionality and scalability of a phone system with no extra maintenance charges. Each user has their own line and calls are routed through the internet.
SIP and SIP trunks is an on-premise solution for a telephone system that will use virtual phone lines rather than physical wires. SIP is suited for larger businesses as it can prove to be more cost effective if there are a lot of users but there is a maintenance implication.
Compared to ISDN, both options are more flexible in terms of what telephone numbers you can have and the locations in which you can have them. They are quicker to install and offer a robust business continuity service that ensures your business never loses any calls.
With the right provider you can easily migrate to Hosted VoIP or SIP within three weeks depending on the number of sites.
At BTT, we keep your business connected, so should you wish for any advice or would like our migration checklist, please contact Robert Bright on 0330 222 0330.