What better case study than using our own journey to a future proofed IP system………
2025 Shutdown, so what’s happening and why?
2025 will see the shutdown of the traditional UK telephone network. All analogue and ISDN telephone lines will be switched off. From 2023 new orders for any of these services will no longer be possible. The current network is ageing, and maintenance is no longer feasible.
So what’s going to happen?
All traditional voice and data services will need to be swapped over to IP (Internet Protocol). Your phone calls will need to be delivered via the new service and you will need to take action and make the necessary changes
The Headsets4business journey
Although 2025 may seem a long time away, we made our change in 2022. We could see the benefits of moving to a new system as the features are more advanced, costs currently reasonable and we would avoid a potential mad rush as 2025 draws closer.
Our situation prior to the change:-
Broadband sharing an analogue phone line by ADSL filter / Splitter.
Avaya Telephone system with traditional Avaya 1408 handsets.
ISDN2 phone lines connected to the phone system.
Category 5 structured cabling in the office supporting phones and PC’s .
The change process was pretty straightforward ………..
1. Connectivity
Early broadband was generally delivered over a standard analogue line (maybe sharing a fax line). This type of line will be shutdown, so we needed to change strategy with our broadband. After checking our options Virgin Media were able to offer a direct fibre connection into our office premises. This was a simple migration, and the fibre speed chosen would handle all our voice and data traffic. Additional cost was negligible.
2. New phone system
We chose an IP system using the Telco Switch platform. Your phone can be a “softphone” installed on your PC/Laptop or you can choose a desktop IP phone. We decided to retain a desktop phone and went for mid-range Yealink IP phone, which ran across the existing cabling. We also took the mobile “APP” for each user which facilitates seamless remote working and offers a resilient back up solution in the event of a broadband outage. The cost of the new system is £15.00 per month per user/extension.
3. Savings
Because it’s an IP system there’s no hardware on site except the Yealink handsets. So there’s no maintenance contract needed on the system. Call costs are included in the monthly rental so we have no additional phone bills. ISDN lines are ceased so we have no line rental bills.
Summary
The new IP system has brought many benefits, like simple remote working, failure resilience, free call recording and much more. Many features now included would be expensive add on’s if implemented on an older system.
We’re all done and future-proofed with a low-cost solution in place. There are predictions of price hikes if there’s a rush of demand from late adopters as 2025 approaches.
Can Headsets4Business help with your move to a new IP system, contact david@headsets4business.co.uk
