Openreach are moving all customers from the old analogue public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a fully digital network. They have already started. They plan to have moved everyone over before they stop the PSTN (and ISDN) service in 2025. By then, every phone line in the UK will be digital, routing calls over IP (Internet Protocol) rather than the traditional PSTN.
Yes,they mean everyone. Business and home. And it’s not just your phone services you need to think about. It’s everything else that currently uses the old phone network, all your non-voice services connected to PSTN or ISDN lines. Things like alarms, EPOS machines, door entry systems, CCTV, and faxes.
PSTN has been the backbone of the UK’s phone network for decades. But we’ve all seen the dramatic changes in technology over the past few years, especially recently. It’s all around us: smartphones, apps, the cloud, Zoom, Internet of Things, and so on.
What you probably don’t notice so much is the infrastructure that makes everything work. The telephone lines strung across the streets, the web of copper cables buried beneath your feet, some of which have been down there since the 19th century.
It’s now time to leap forward from PSTN to embrace the boundless possibilities of digital.
Yes. As an essentially 20th century technology, the PSTN network is increasingly out of kilter with the demands of modern communications. As people switch to mobile and internet communications, everyone demands much more than the traditional technologies were designed to deliver. Which is why they’re switching to IP.
The switch to digital is happening everywhere, fast. As technology and customer behaviour changes, phone companies across the world are moving from analogue to digital. Germany, Japan, and Sweden are ahead of us in making the shift. Estonia and The Netherlands are already there and have switched off their PSTN networks.
You need to start planning your move today because there could be a lot to do. Remember, it’s not just about calls. You need to review everything you’re connecting to your phone lines, like door entry systems and alarms. Many businesses have already embraced an all-digital model, moving their communications to the cloud, making calls over the internet and embracing video conferencing.
The move to all-digital isn’t just because the old phone system is, well, old. It’s because all-digital communications are so much better. Even at the most basic level, you’ll be able to make and take calls on any device, from wherever you are, from the same number. You’ll link your business applications and systems with video chat, calls and collaboration, so you’re closer to customers and colleagues alike. And with everything in the cloud, you’ll be able to access systems from anywhere, working from wherever you want.
Factor in the lower costs that IP can bring, and it makes sense to get your skates on and go digital as soon as you can. There’s no need to wait until the last moment.
Ready or not, the PSTN switch-off is happening in 2025. From then on, at home or at work, we’ll all be using digital phone services. Many businesses have already successfully made the move to digital. They’re not only ready for the future, they’re already enjoying the many benefits of a cloud-based phone system.
Get the connectivity right
Now more than ever, businesses of all stripes need robust, high-quality internet connectivity, whether it’s fixed or mobile. By their very nature, cloud-based applications demand resilient, high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity. Digital voice and collaboration services are no different. They rely on the same high-quality internet connection to deliver crystal clear voice calls, jitter-free video conferencing, and real-time collaboration tools.
You need connectivity that’s up to the job – not just for today’s needs, but for future demands too.
Upgrading to digital voice and collaboration services presents a great opportunity to review your internet connectivity. Is it robust and resilient? Do you have enough capacity to comfortably handle today’s applications and all the new technology that’s coming down the line (the Internet of Things, for example)? What about latency? Will other applications interrupt your voice services?
How Cumulus can help: we’ve got connectivity and networking covered, with a comprehensive range of access technologies, speeds, and resilience options to choose from. We can recommend the best options for you based on your situation and what you’re wanting to achieve.
Businesses often use phone lines for more than just phone calls.
Door entry systems, alarms, lift emergency lines, payment terminals, cash machines and so on can all be using your old PSTN phone lines. We call these ‘special services’. Upgrading to digital will have an impact on how these special services work, so it’s vital that you track down everything that’s running off your PSTN and ISDN lines.
Broadly speaking, you then have three options:
How Cumulus can help: we have an increasing range of services that can help you minimise the impact of upgrading to a digital voice and collaboration service.
To get the most out of a digital phone service, you don’t just need to make sure your people know how to use it, you have to make sure they want to use it. The better informed and engaged they are, the higher your chances of squeezing every last benefit from it. If you can energise your people so they’re excited about getting their hands on the new kit, they’re more likely to help you realise those benefits.
How Cumulus can help: we can help you bring your employees up to speed. All of our services come with comprehensive user guides and support materials. And depending on your upgrade, we also have a range of training packages to choose from.
When you’re upgrading to digital voice, don’t just rush into replacing your existing handsets with an equivalent IP model. This is a great opportunity to step back and really understand how your employees are currently using your hardware.
Maybe you don’t need to do a like-for-like replacement of all your kit? For example, as more people adopt flexible working patterns, whether that’s hot-desking in the office or working from home, giving everyone a desk phone might not be the right option for your business. Perhaps using an IP headset and softphone client is a smarter move. There’s no right or wrong answer here. It could be that a hybrid approach of headsets and handsets fits the bill for your business.
How Cumulus can help: we have an extensive range of IP devices and apps for you to choose from as part of your upgrade. Depending on what you’re using at the moment, you may be able to reuse some equipment with your new digital service. Ask us for advice if you’re not sure.
Upgrading to a digital phone service is about more than just doing what you do now, but digitally. Your new service will present you with new ways of working and opportunities to change the way you communicate.
Cloud-based systems generally boast far more features than you may be used to. For a start, they can easily integrate mobile devices and apps. They’ll give you detailed reporting at your fingertips, helping you gather insights about customer and employee behaviour. But above all, they’ll enable you to work differently. It’s an opportunity to re-evaluate your business, maybe introducing flexible and remote working so you can work from any device, at any location and at any time.
It’s also worth thinking about the phone lines you currently use and whether you really need to replicate every line on the new system. Decide what you’re going to do with your existing phone numbers: if your customers already know them, then it may be worth keeping them by porting them to the new service.
Digital cloud-based phone systems liberate your communications from the confines of the office, with numbers that follow you wherever they go. You’ll never miss a call again. They make it easy to collaborate with anyone, anywhere. That’s the versatility of the cloud. No maintenance costs. No disruptive engineer visits. Automatic upgrades. Total scalability so you’re always poised for the future.
It’s a journey Cumulus Business Solutions can help you navigate. Although planning, choosing, and installing a digital phone system is actually pretty straightforward, we appreciate that you may want a helping hand. Get in touch with us today.
