What does the ISDN Switch Off mean for telephony services?
The PSTN Switch off is looming and while 2 years sounds like plenty of time, leaving your transition too late could cause disaster. Addressing the transition to modern digital alternatives today will not only ensure you have no gaps in service, it will also allow you to benefit from improved technologies that will enhance your working practices.
The PSTN switch off includes the switch off of ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) services, a legacy technology that has been widely used by businesses for decades, most commonly (but not solely) for voice communication services.
Migrating from ISDN to SIP for voice communications
Migrating from ISDN to SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is a path well-travelled and has proven to bring a number of added benefits to businesses. ISDN has been the work horse of voice communications for years now but the transition to SIP will eradicate the constraints imposed by ISDN.
The industry drivers for migrating from ISDN to SIP are as follows:
Cost
SIP is more cost-effective than ISDN. ISDN requires dedicated lines and hardware, which can be expensive to set up and maintain and as working practices have changed over the years it is possible you are paying for ISDN channels that are not being used. SIP uses the internet to transmit calls, which eliminates the need for dedicated lines and hardware, reducing costs significantly. SIP services also typically include bundled minutes within the contract, whether that be for UK local, national and / or mobile which could mean significant savings for businesses.
Scalability
SIP is more scalable than ISDN. With ISDN, each line can only support a limited number of calls, and it can be challenging to add new lines as the business grows. With SIP, additional lines can be added quickly and easily, making it more scalable for growing businesses.
Consolidation
Multiple ISDN and analogue lines can be consolidated into a smaller number of SIP channels, delivered centrally with less infrastructure.
Flexibility
SIP is more flexible than ISDN. With ISDN, businesses are limited to a fixed number of channels, whereas with SIP, the number of channels can be adjusted as needed. This flexibility allows businesses to adapt to changing communication needs.
Features
SIP offers more features than ISDN. For example, SIP allows for video conferencing, screen sharing, instant messaging and other collaborative communication features that are not available with ISDN. These features can enhance productivity, improve collaboration among employees resulting in more efficient working practices for staff.
Integration
SIP is more compatible with other technologies than ISDN and opens the way for migration to cloud telephony. SIP can integrate with other communication technologies, such as Unified Communications (UC) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), making it easier to use multiple communication channels in a unified way and the infrastructure can be configured to connect to cloud phone systems such as Microsoft Teams and Cisco’s Webex platform.
Disaster Recovery
SIP allows businesses to easily layer in cloud based Disaster Recovery solutions, so businesses can remain operational in the event of a disaster.
Location Independence
Unlike ISDN which is tied to a physical location and telephony Exchange, SIP can be delivered to any location and can support multiple geographic DDI ranges, as well as non-geographic (e.g. 03 and 08 numbers)
With so many benefits available from moving to SIP, there really is no reason to wait.
If you require assistance with your PSTN transition planning, please contact us for information on the next steps to take.