BT are to stop providing ISDN connections
But, theres no need to panic, just yet… BT has said that ISDN won’t end until 2025!
For many years now, BT has always invested heavily in ISDN digital lines for business telephone systems. However, all that is about to change, because they have come to realise that ISDN is old technology and Voice over IP is the future.
ISDN usually comes in two varieties – ISDN2 where you have 2 voice channels, or ISDN30 where you have 30 channels. Multiple lines can be combined to give you the number of channels, or simultaneous calls that you need. The lines have to be physically installed at the premises and usually come with minimum terms of 1, 3 or 5 years.
Voice over IP is much more flexible as its delivered over an internet connection. You can have as many channels as your internet connection can handle, and you can increase or decrease as your business requirements change. For example, in November you might only need 10 channels, but as business picks up for Christmas you may need to increase to 30, then in January as things quieten down again you may wish to decrease down to 8. Voice over IP quickly lets you do this time and time again.
Costs are greatly reduced with Voice over IP too, if you are using SIP Trunking instead of ISDN lines, then not only do you save around 75% on line rental, but also on call charges too!
2025 seems like a long way off at the moment, but whilst in theory you may have 10 years before you need to change your ISDN lines, I think you will start to see some major changes in the next few years. BT have already been contacting their wholesale partners and have started to promote Voice Over IP services and this will start to filter down to resellers and consultants soon, and we expect them to stop providing new installations of ISDN by 2020.
So, when you are thinking about a new telephone system for your business, it’s a good idea to ask your provider whether or not the proposed system supports Voice over IP. The technology is here to stay and it will become the primary means of making telephone calls as BT begins to change its focus away from ISDN and standard landlines.
Why not get in touch and find out how we can future proof your phone system by using SIP Trunking as a replacement for ISDN. Call us on 0161 711 1100 or Click here!