The age of ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) and PSTN (Public Switch Telephony Network) technologies will soon come to an end. Many years ago, in 2015, BT announced it would be shutting down both of these fundamental communication technologies in 2025. While these tools have offered valuable features to companies in the past, they’re growing less effective in a world of digital communications. IDSN and PTSN solutions simply can’t compete with the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of VOIP and SIP technologies. However, while switching to a new cloud voice solution offers a host of benefits to companies, from higher cost savings to boosted accessibility, 70% of businesses are still relying on landline phones and traditional services. To make matters worse, 33% of small companies in 2022 said they haven’t prepared for the PTSN/ISDN switch off at all.
Are You Prepared for the PSTN Switch Off?
For years, companies have placed their strategies for migrating to cloud voice on the backburner, sticking with the same technologies, despite the impending deadline. While it’s easy to assume there’s still plenty of time to adjust, transitioning away from a legacy system for communication is often more complex than it seems. Communication leader Resonate found it can take up to 18 months to prepare for a switch to cloud voice, meaning brands are quickly running out of time. Head of Architecture for Resonate, Noor Yousuf explains why many companies – including large enterprises - are struggling “For many multinationals, although they have a central IT strategy in place, they are often not able to implement easily as budget and responsibility is held ‘in-country’ and managers ‘on the ground’ need convincing to move to a new central solution, which takes time. We have just experienced this first-hand with a large electronics client, who had agreed a CCaaS solution centrally, but have not been able to convince local operating companies to move to the new solution resulting in the project stopping completely” What’s more, it’s worth noting that while the official switch-off date is set for 2025, the wheels are already in motion. BT initiated a “stop sell” order for PSTN and ISDN technologies in 2023, which could mean companies face significant supply chain issues in the years ahead. If your migration strategy is still ‘in train’, here are some of the key points you may be overlooking when planning for the PSTN switch-off.
1. What the Switch-Off will Affect in your Business
To prepare effectively for the PSTN switch-off, business leaders need to first understand exactly which tools and solutions in their ecosystem are going to be influenced. Unfortunately, 83% of companies say they’re not sure what the impact of the switch-off will be. The switch off doesn’t just influence telephony lines, it also influences systems outside of the voice ecosystem connected to traditional phone lines. This includes CCTV systems, EPOS machines, fax systems, telecare, and critical care systems, and DECT phones. Examining your full technology stack is crucial to ensuring you’re fully prepared.
2. The time it takes to choose a new solution
A little under 2 years sounds like a long time to choose a new solution to replace the PSTN and ISDN systems in a business. However, there are numerous tasks to complete before an effective migration. For instance, simply exploring the available alternatives to old-fashioned telecommunication technologies can take significant time. Businesses will need to consider not just whether they want to move their communication systems to SIP, or VoIP, but also which connectivity tools they’ll be using in place of ASDL and FTTC broadband. Some modern companies will opt for a full cloud transition with their communication tools, others might take a hybrid approach, retaining some of their existing tools. Making the right choice will mean examining your ecosystem carefully, and exploring the options available from new vendors. There are plenty of UCaaS, VoIP and SIP providers out there, who can help organisations implement the right migration strategy, with an adequate amount of time.
3. Identifying Migration Requirements
Migrating away from PSTN and ISDN technologies requires more than just an investment in a new telephony contract. Business leaders may need to consolidate and assess their full connectivity and communication landscape. Used correctly, the right migration process can offer businesses an opportunity to overcome issues with their existing infrastructure and tools. For instance, switching to a new broadband connection can help to empower in-office employees to leverage the internet more effectively. Moving from an old-fashioned telephony system to a UCaaS solution can empower brands to unlock the benefits of a more aligned team. It’s even possible to work with vendors to combine UCaaS and CCaaS solutions, implementing a powerful end-to-end strategy for collaboration and contact center management.
