Soon normal landlines will no longer work

Phone lines that rely on copper wire networks have been around for centuries, but they are scheduled for decommissioning… soon. Here, Robert Kemp, MD of Chicane Connect talks you through the upcoming changes and the solutions on offer.

By 2025 the digital platform, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) will be switched off, in the biggest change to telecommunications in over 30 years.

With the move bringing an end to the use of analogue phone lines, the decision, by national telecoms provider BT, has been driven by their heavy investment in voice over IP (VoIP) technology.

By converging all of its digital services to IP, BT can refocus its efforts into new technology that will meet the future demands of businesses throughout the UK.

Who will be affected?

BT’s current plan is to stop installing ISDN lines in 2023.  Over 2 million UK businesses will be affected by the switch off, many of which will be small and medium sized businesses.

Vulnerable and elderly people who require monitoring equipment for health reasons will need to address their service provision; as will both public and business consumers with burglar alarms linked to police services or security companies and those who heavily rely on fax communications.

What is VoIP and what can it do for me?

VoIP, also known as IP telephony, internet telephony or a broadband phone, is a relatively new technology that works by taking analogue voice signals and converting them into digital signals.  These signals are then sent as data over a broadband line.

VoIP technology has developed to the point where it can satisfy most, if not all, user requirements. The technology is flexible and scalable, which means it can work for a small start-up to large corporate businesses.

There are many benefits of using VoIP, such as:

• No hardware or maintenance costs. All you need are handsets, a hosting package does the rest.
• Free calls between extensions, no matter the geographic distance between offices.
• Voicemails to email inbox where you can listen, sort and respond to them quickly
• Record and monitor calls and a dashboard of call statistics and playback options
• Conference calling for as many people as you need
• Caller ID, call waiting, call blocking and easy call transfer
• Take your extension with you. Extension mobility can route calls to your smartphone – or other device.
• Stay connected anywhere through 1-2-1 messages and group chats and screen sharing – wherever you are.
• See who’s online, on the phone and available to ease communication whether you’re together or not

The biggest advantage of VoIP is that your business will save money and increase productivity. You will be receiving phone calls over the Internet, cutting out the expense of a phone line altogether, instead consolidating both your Internet and voice communication costs. Plsu you can easily transfer your direct line to your mobile or simply plug the handset in at home and you’re all set. Particularly helpful in the new covid era.

Why Chicane Connect are the partner to support you through this change

Businesses at risk due to the BT 2025 switch-off can speak to Chicane Connect and benefit from the team’s many years of experience with VoIP technology and data. This is supported by our trusted partners and resellers, which means we can seamlessly install our hosted VoIP solution to businesses of any size, anywhere in the UK, ensuring you are operating at the peak of business effectiveness.

Our web-based VoIP plans allow you to connect your employees anywhere in the world, easily taking business calls from your home PC or mobile. You never have to miss an important call again with our voicemail to email solution – and you will have access to call data reports and even receive email transcripts of your voicemails.

With less than three years to plan for this switchover, and with technical support declining for ISDN technology, now is the time to start making plans for your switch over to Voice over IP technology.

Contact Chicane Connect today for advice and information on how to prepare and take full advantage of this opportunity.