What is the biggest challenge for people switching to digital telephony?

1. Introduction to IP telephony and the need to switch

IP telephony, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), uses the internet to transmit voice calls. The technology has several benefits when compared to Analogue and ISDN lines:

Cost-effectiveness: IP telephony solutions often prove more economical, as they eliminate the need for costly physical infrastructure and maintenance.
Flexibility and scalability: IP telephony seamlessly integrates with existing IT infrastructure, enabling ` organisations to scale their communication systems as their needs evolve.
Enhanced features: IP telephony offers a range of advanced features, such as video conferencing, call recording, and unified communications to streamline business operations.

2. Challenges facing those switching to IP telephony.

With the 2025 Switch Off looming, besides necessity, there are compelling advantages for migration to IP telephony, but that does not mean it will be plain sailing.

Initial setup costs: Implementing IP telephony may require an initial investment in hardware and software. For instance, you may need to invest in cabling, switches or upgraded WiFi to better make use of softphones.
Network reliability: Ensuring reliable internet connectivity is crucial for uninterrupted IP telephony services., However, more than 95% of the UK have access to a SoGEA or an FTTP for broadband, which will be fine for most organisations.
Keeping your number: Number porting has always caused great concern for businesses as the number is key to keeping in touch with customers. that’s why we offer Simple Swap, meaning we can activate your new SoGEA / FTTP and move your number to an IP solution all on the same day

3. How to switch to IP telephony

Any successful migration needs a little bit of planning, here are some key considerations:

Assess current needs: You may have a simple solution at the moment, but try to move past what you have now, and think about what would improve your business.
- Advanced Call Routing
- Remote Working
- Call Recording
- Audio Branding
Choose a provider: Work with a company you can trust, someone who can demonstrate a proven track record and have the infrastructure to support your growing business.
Plan and design: Work with your provider to agree a plan and timescales that match with your goals for the deployment, taking into consideration device types, application access, calling plans, hunt groups and system schedules. Make sure you have a clear definition of who is doing what, especially if you have different suppliers and contractors involved.
Equipment procurement: Ensure you properly scope the hardware and software required such as IP phones, routers, call management software etc before deployment. This should all be tested ahead of the switch over date.
Installation and configuration: Make sure everyone is aware of the plan and staff all know what challenges they might face, including downtime This will ensure that there are no surprises and plans can be made accordingly.
User training and support: Ensure you enjoy the benefits of your new system, by training your staff properly. Having the documentation available for new starts and existing staff to refer back to is a good idea too.
Testing and go-live: Conduct thorough testing to ensure everything in your system functions optimally before transitioning to live operations.

4. Benefits of switching to IP Telephony

Organisations that embrace IP telephony can reap a multitude of benefits:

Reduced communication costs: IP telephony often leads to significant savings on communication expenses, as it eliminates line rental charges and call fees, since most packages have inclusive calling.
Enhanced productivity: IP telephony's advanced features, such as call forwarding, call conferencing, and voicemail to email, can boost employee productivity and efficiency.
Improved customer service: IP telephony's integration with CRM systems enables businesses to provide personalised and responsive customer service.
Increased mobility: IP telephony empowers employees to work from anywhere with an internet connection, fostering flexibility and collaboration.
Future-proof communication infrastructure: IP telephony lays the foundation for future advancements in communication technologies, ensuring businesses remain ahead of the curve.

5. Conclusion

The transition to IP telephony is an essential move and one that will benefit organisations seeking to streamline their communication infrastructure and leverage the power of digital technologies. By carefully considering the challenges and implementing a well-defined migration plan, businesses can effectively embrace IP telephony and pave the way for a new era of seamless communication and enhanced business operations.

Scottish Charities: The Stop Sell Phase of the PSTN Switch Off and What It Means for You

The stop sell phase of the PSTN switch off commenced on September 5, 2023. This means that all providers in the UK have ceased offering traditional phone lines, including ISDN. This also applies to legacy broadband services that utilise the copper line, such as ADSL and FTTC broadband. Additionally, you cannot make changes it any existing analogue telephony – like adding an extra line as an example.

This is a significant milestone in the PSTN switch off process, and it is important for Scottish charities to start planning their migration to a new technology as soon as possible.

Here are some things that Scottish charities need to know about the stop sell phase:

- - No new PSTN or ISDN services can be purchased. If you need new phone lines or broadband, you will need to choose a digital alternative, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
  - You can still keep your existing PSTN services until December 2025. However, it is important to start planning your migration now to avoid any disruptions.
  - There are a number of different digital telephony solutions available. It is important to research your options and choose the best solution for your charity's needs.

Here are some tips for Scottish charities on how to prepare for the stop sell phase:

Assess your current telephony needs. What features are important to you? How many phone lines do you need? What is your budget?
Research different digital telephony solutions, it maybe a adding a SIP Gateway to an existing system, migrating to a cloud-based system or integration with Microsoft Teams
Work with a trusted supplier such as DB Comms. We have a long-standing relationship with SCVO as a partner and a supplier – believe we can help you choose the best solution for your charity's needs.
Make a plan - develop a plan for transitioning your charity to new telephony system. This will help to ensure a smooth and seamless transition

The PSTN switch off is a major change, but it is an opportunity for Scottish charities to upgrade to a more modern and reliable telephony solution. By planning ahead and choosing the right solution, charities can ensure that they continue to communicate effectively with their donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries.

Jargon busting

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network

PSTN - Public Switched Telephone Network

VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol

Smooth Transition to the ISDN 2025 Switch-off: A Guide for Businesses

The ISDN switch-off is a major event that will impact organisations of all sizes in the UK. In this blog post, we discuss the importance of this transition and provide tips on how you can prepare.

2018: BT makes formal notification to stop selling and withdraw ISDN.
2020: Five-year reminder that ISDN and PSTN will be withdrawn.
2023: Stop sell of new ISDN and PSTN services begins.
2025:
- April: Forced migration to SIP/cloud telephony begins.
- December: ISDN and PSTN services are withdrawn.

We have just entered the stop sell phase of the ISDN switch-off. What does this entail?

It means that organisations can no longer purchase new ISDN lines or renew existing contracts. This is a significant milestone in the ISDN switch-off process, and it is important that organisations start planning their migration to a new technology as soon as possible.

Key Points During the Stop Sell Phase:

No new orders for any analogue line/ISDN lines or standard broadband.
No changes to any existing services.
Organisations should start planning their migration to a new technology

What does the ISDN switch off mean for my organisation?

ISDN and PSTN are being phased out. BT has announced that it will stop providing these services in 2025. This means that organisations that are still using ISDN or PSTN will need to switch to a new technology before that time.
Change can be a good thing... These are legacy technologies that is not as reliable as modern alternatives, such as VoIP,. which is a more robust and scalable technology that can provide better call quality and reliability.
Because they are an aging technology, the costs are increasing, while the cost of VoIP is decreasing. This means that organisations can save money by making the switch.
The ISDN switch-off will impact organisations of all sizes as it also affects Analogue Phonelines, which, in turn, can the affect the broadband that you use also. No organisation is too small to be affected by this major event.

How can you prepare your business for the ISDN switch-off?

Start planning as early as possible to minimise disruption. The ISDN switch-off is a major event that will take time to plan for. Organisations should start planning as early as possible to minimise any disruption.
Evaluate your current telecommunications needs. Before you can choose a new technology, you need to evaluate your current telecommunications needs. This includes understanding your call volume, features, and budget.
Choose a new technology. There are several different technologies to switch to, such as VoIP, SIP trunking, and hosted PBX. The best technology will depend on your organisation’s specific needs.
Migrate your data. If you are switching to a new technology, you will need to migrate your data. This includes your phone numbers, contacts, and voicemail recordings.
Test your new system. Once you have migrated your data, you need to test your new system to make sure it is working properly.

How can DB Comms support with the ISDN 2025 Switch-off?

DB Comms is a leading provider of business telecommunications solutions for businesses. We can help you prepare for the ISDN switch-off by:

Providing expert advice on the ISDN switch-off
Evaluating your telecommunications needs
Choosing the right technology for your organisation
Migrating your data
Testing your new system

We understand that running your organisation is your top priority, so let us take care of the ISDN switch-off for you. We'll handle everything from planning to implementation, so you can focus on what you do best.

Time is key

The ISDN switch-off is a big change, but it doesn't have to be a headache. DB Comms can help you make the transition to VoIP with ease. We'll take care of everything from planning to implementation, so you can focus on what you do best.

Don't leave your organisation's future to chance. Contact DB Comms today for a personalised consultation and find out how we can help you prepare for the ISDN switch-off. Your smooth transition begins here.

Jargon busting

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network

PSTN - Public Switched Telephone Network

VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol

The ISDN Switch-Off: What Scottish Charities Need to Know

The ISDN switch-off in Scotland is scheduled to take place in 2025. This is a major change for charities that rely on ISDN or analogue telephony, and it's important to start planning for the transition now.

Why is the ISDN switch-off happening?

The ISDN switch-off is being carried out in order to make way for newer, more reliable and efficient technologies. Fibre optic connections are now the standard for telephone and internet services, offering the following advantages over copper-based connections, including faster speeds, greater reliability, and improved security.

What are the benefits of digital telephony?

Digital telephony offers numerous benefits for charities, including:

Improved call quality: Digital calls are clearer and more reliable than analogue calls.
Increased reliability: Digital systems are less prone to interference and outages.
Greater flexibility: Digital systems offer a wider range of features and functionality, such as voicemail, call forwarding and video conferencing.
Cost-effectiveness: Digital systems can be more cost-effective than analogue systems, especially for charities with multiple locations.

How can SCVO and DB Comms help?

SCVO and DB Comms have a longstanding partnership and are committed to helping Scottish charities make the transition to digital telephony. We can help you assess your needs, choose the right solution, and negotiate the best possible price. We can also provide you with ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that your system is always up and running.

What are the next steps?

If you're a Scottish charity that relies on ISDN or analogue telephony, it's important to start planning your transition to digital telephony now. We encourage you to contact SCVO or DB Comms to learn more about how we can help.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Here are some additional benefits of working with SCVO and DB Comms:

We have a deep understanding of the needs of Scottish charities.
We have a proven track record of helping charities make the transition to digital telephony.
We offer competitive pricing and flexible payment terms.
We provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that your system is always up and running.

We are committed to helping Scottish charities succeed.

Case Study

Follow the link below to find out how DB Comms enabled SCVO to move to a fully flexible remote working solution.

Our work with SCVO

Contact us

We believe that digital telephony can help charities improve their communication and efficiency, and we are committed to helping charities make the most of this technology. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

Flexible Working

As the UK begins to transition out of restrictions, the question of returning to the office is one of great interest. Since the pandemic began, millions of workers have moved to working from home and employers have been encouraged to promote flexible working. But what does ‘flexible working’ really mean and how is this something your business can adopt without sacrificing productivity?

Is Office Working a thing of the past?

Many companies have thought about the future and how office working may be impacted. Take Microsoft Teams for example, pre pandemic it had around 32 million daily users. By October 2020, this had grown to 115 million daily users and has continued to grow to 145 million daily users. This shows that businesses are taking work online and with the flexibility of Microsoft Teams, it’s not hard to understand why.

Microsoft Teams for Business:

Microsoft Teams is a service that was launched in 2017 and has evolved over time. Microsoft Teams allows you and your team to communicate through calls, video conferencing and messaging. You also have the ability to share your screen. This allows you to still meet ‘face to face’ with colleagues and even external clients. DB Comms can also help your business use Microsoft Teams as a cloud-base phone system to replace your old-style ISDN/PSTN phone lines, something that will need done as we approach the 2025 switch off. (Read more about Direct Routing)

Cloud-Voice – The Complete Package?

With Openreach’s ‘Big Switch Off’ looming, businesses are now beginning to take the required steps to future proof their businesses phone systems, in preparation of losing their old-style ISDN/PSTN phone lines. This is a daunting time, something that has been so standard in our lives will be completely gone in the next 3 & ½ years. However, cloud-voice phone systems, such as Horizon or the new PhoneLine+, have been created to really embody flexibility. Now, the next step allows users to make calls ANYWHERE, as long as the user has an internet connection. The evolution of mobile & desktop apps allows user to call from a landline number from any device that is connected to the internet. It also allows businesses to utilise a mobile data connection as a back up incase of any broadband issues, meaning the business can be contacted at all times.

Customer Success stories –

One of our customers was still using an old-style phone line with an additional line for his old fax. He also had multiple handsets throughout his workshop for someone to always be on hand to answer. By looking into cloud-based solutions, we found that we could streamline his services and save him money by migrating his traditional phone line number to our Cloud Voice platform. Furthermore, he benefited from additional features like scheduling, time of day routing, voicemail to email, music on hold, all of which made is system more aligned to his business, enhancing his brand and added to his customers experience.

This meant our customer was saving money, making life easier and into the bargain he is now all set for future and the ISDN & PSTN Switch off