28 Oct Preparing your business for the future – ISDN and its final days
The future of Telephony is changing, BT is preparing to retire its ISDN services by 2025. But waiting until 2025 may not be the best option. But don’t worry the future of Telephony is bright.
ISDN – An explanation
ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. It allows for the simultaneous transference of voice, video and data across the Public Switched Telephone Network (PTSN). ISDN as a set of protocols was ahead of its time when introduced, many described it as revolutionary. It was, in essence, the original high-speed network as it allowed data and voice to run parallel along the same copper lines and introduced new features to telephony when established in 1988.
The reason for ISDN retirement
ISDN is coming to the end of its long and illustrious career, the PTSN (the infrastructure ISDN operates on) isn’t as useful as it once was. The aging components of the system are becoming more and more difficult to replace, many aren’t even being manufactured anymore with some of the individuals that created the system retiring or have already retired. Another reason ISDN is being retired is that it isn’t financially viable anymore, landlines are gradually becoming redundant and this, unfortunately, aligns with maintenance costs increasing making its continued use impossible.
PTSNs replacement
Telecom operators have spent the last decade building new IP-based networks. You as the consumer may have noticed little or no change during the slow and gradual transition because not all parts of the PTSN have been replaced. Some PTSNs have been retained for calls while the IP network works alongside it providing the broadband.
Preparing for the switch off of the ISDN
VOIP (Voice over internet protocol) will be required to make a transition to full IP-based networks. VOIP is the new ISDN, they can relay voice and video over an internet connection.
VOIP can be used in many different ways:
Cloud-hosted Phone system
You pay to use a virtual PBX that can be accessed anywhere anytime as long as you are connected to an internet connection. This is a phone system without the associated infrastructure investment.
An IP Phone system
The same as a normal phone system, the only difference is it requires IP enabled handsets connected via ethernet cables to a local or wide area network.
SIP Trunks
These are ‘virtual phone lines’ you buy and plug into any IP compatible PBX server.
A Hybrid Phone system
A system that combines technologies including – IP, ISDN, digital and analogue.
What we can do to help you with your future with IT
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How can we help?
Here at VaraTech, we offer a broad range of IT support and consultancy services that aim to help small businesses extract maximum value from their IT. From proactive network monitoring/maintenance and hardware leasing to Cloud services, VoIP telephony and much more, we help our clients identify and roll-out the best-fit solutions for their businesses.
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