What’s happening?

We’re moving all our customers from the old analogue public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a fully digital network. We’ve already started. We plan to have moved everyone over before Openreach 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.

When you say ‘everyone…’?

Yes, we 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.

Sounds a bit drastic. Why are you doing it?

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.

So IP is better than PSTN?

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 we’re switching to IP. It’s now time to leap forward from PSTN to embrace the boundless possibilities of digital.

What about the rest of the world, what are they doing?

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.

2025. That’s years away. Why are we talking about this now?

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.

Will we be better off with digital?

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.

Sounds great. What do I do next?

Book an appointment and we will come and survey your site.

Hold on, not so fast. I’m not convinced.

That’s OK. We know there are a few scare stories out there about the PSTN switch-off.

Ten myths about digital phone lines debunked should put you at ease.

1. Calls over the internet aren’t as good as those made over a normal phone line

They’re better. No, really. OK, so back in the early days of internet calls this observation may have been true. But the tech is no longer new – there have been huge improvements in network connectivity. It’s mature and sophisticated, delivering crystal clear audio with no more dropouts, tinny voices, echoes or delays.

Bottom line: the better your internet connection, the higher your call quality.

2. It’s not reliable. What happens if the cloud goes down?

Digital phone lines can actually be more resilient than PSTN (public switched telephone network – the traditional landline network) lines. For instance, our digital services run across multiple data centres. If one goes down, no problem. Traffic switches seamlessly to another and your service carries on regardless.

3. I won’t have enough bandwidth for calls and data

Calls don’t eat as much bandwidth as you might expect so the vast majority of businesses don’t notice any problems. When we’re supplying a digital phone system, we always work with you to understand how you’re planning to use it. That way, we can make sure you have the right type of internet connection for what you want to do and plenty of bandwidth to go round as well.

4. It all sounds very technical. Unlike me

Don’t worry. Like cars, you don’t need to understand what happens under the bonnet to be able to drive one. Digital phone systems are actually easier to manage than on-premises systems (if you take one of ours, we’ll help you get your people up to speed).

Using a simple web admin interface, you can move, add, or change users with a click of a mouse. And because it’s digital, all updates and maintenance are remote and timely so there’s no waiting around for an engineer or a physical upgrade. And you always have the latest features and updates.

5. It’ll be a huge job moving from my old phone system

Actually, it can be very easy – with the right planning. If you’re running separate voice and data networks, you can bring them together, as long as your network has the bandwidth (and if it needs a top-up, we can arrange that). You can swap out your entire phone system in one go or take a phased approach and introduce it one office at a time. It’s up to you.

It’s even easier when you opt for a hosted service with us. That means we’ll take care of installation, set-up, and on-going management. Digital phone systems come with IP (internet protocol) phones, which is the type of phone you need to make calls over the internet rather than the PSTN network, so you’ll need to replace your current handsets if they’re not compatible with digital phone services.

6. I’ll need a new number, which means I’ll lose customers

On the contrary, you’ll be able to keep your current numbers, if you want to. It’s actually an opportunity to review your numbers and think about whether you still need them all.

One of the big advantages of digital systems over traditional landlines is that you can have the same number on multiple devices, wherever you are. So customers can ring your office number and you can answer the call literally anywhere you can get an internet connection. You’ll never miss a call again.

7. You can’t do as much with a digital phone system

We admit this one may have held some water back in the very early days, but not anymore. Fact is, cloud systems do everything your on-premises phone system can do and then some. Call forwarding, diversion, hunt groups and so on.

You can integrate your phone system with your business applications, making for fast, fluid and effective customer service. Our mobile app even lets your mobile (and laptop) act as an extension of your desk phone, so your office can be wherever you are.

And because your business number goes wherever you go, customers assume you’re in your office – which can be very useful for helping you build the appearance of a local presence.

8. It runs over the internet so it’s not safe, right?

Wrong. It’s as safe as you want to make it. As long as your internal network is secure, your phone network will be too. Firewalls, encryption, authentication, employee training and so on make sure that your calls and data are protected. Maybe even more so than with the PSTN.

9. It’s not for me. It’s only for big business

Again, not true. It works for everyone, from the sole trader to the big corporate.

The flexibility, agility, and scalability mean it’s easy to use. From a single digital line pitched at the micro-business to a full collaboration system for the business employing hundreds of people, there’s a digital phone system that’s perfect for every business, whatever your size. You can start as small as you want and expand in line with your business.

It’s a truly versatile solution, easy to set up, a cinch to use, and you can easily add more phones to it as your business expands. And the sophisticated features you’ll have at your disposal will give your customers a better, more professional experience.

10. Something this good must be pretty expensive

Nope. Cost saving is one of the major reasons many businesses are already using a digital phone service. As it’s easily scalable, you can grow or shrink it as you need, without the significant costs you’d have to endure with PSTN.

It’s extremely cost-effective to run, too. You’re essentially paying for the service, rather than laying out for installation, operation, and maintenance. There’s no premises-based hardware to buy, no on-going maintenance costs. And with our systems, you allocate features separately to your people so you only pay for what you need.