What The Switch To VoIP Phones Means For Your Business.

With big change on the horizon, your business needs to be ready to upgrade to VoIP phones. 

 

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What Is The Big Phone Line Switch-Off?

The UK is due to switch off traditional phone lines in 2025, meaning how your business communicates with its customers may be about to change.

The old copper wire systems are due to be replaced by a modern system, known as VoIP, which allows all voice communication to be done over your internet connection.  

If your business relies on analogue equipment, it's important you make plans to upgrade soon. Leaving it until later may mean it's more expensive to move to the new system or, worse, you could be left without any working phone lines. 

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What Is a VoIP Phone?

VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol and refers to the technology that's used to transmit telephone conversations over an IP address, rather than a standard phone, which uses analogue systems to communicate. 

VoIP technology isn't just used by modern phones either; every time you use your computer to call someone using the internet, you are using VoIP. If you use a video call or an online messaging app to speak to your clients or colleagues, you are using a VoIP application.

What Will Happen To Your Landline?

The migration to VoIP systems means any existing hardware that uses an analogue connection will no longer function. Your business will only notice a change if it's not prepared for the switch-off and still has older technology in use.  

While the change isn't due until 2025, it'll be here before you know it. Many businesses have already made the move to a VoIP system, as this means the phone line switch-off will have to smallest impact possible on their business. 

The switch-off won't just affect legacy phones; everything that relies on the old public switched telephone network (PSTN) will be affected. This includes alarms, CCTV systems, and EPOS machines. Failure to implement a VoIP system will mean all of these services will cease to function after the switch-off.  

How The Switch-Off Could Benefit Your Business

While there's no hiding from the switch to VoIP, the shift presents a great opportunity for your business to move to a much more advanced system of communication than you may be using right now. 

VoIP systems offer a range of features that could allow your business to communicate more effectively and efficiently, putting your business in a good position to grow. Previously, such systems were unaffordable for SMEs, but the change means smaller businesses can operate on a more level playing field with their larger competitors. 

VoIP systems can be used on computers, smartphones, and tablets, allowing your business to consolidate all of its communications into one easy-to-use system. The advances in wireless technologies like the new 5G network, which can work in conjunction with VoIP phones and devices, could also provide a benefit for your business. 

As well as this, using VoIP phones could slash your overhead costs if you're currently using analogue telephones. In some cases, businesses like yours have been able to cut 50% off of their call costs. This is due to the infrastructure required for VoIP being a lot smaller, with a simple internet connection being the main required part.  

Why Are PSTN Landlines Being Switched Off?

The modern world requires faster and more reliable ways of communication than the old system can support, so switching off the PSTN will mean UK businesses like yours can communicate more effectively. 

 BT Openreach, the organisation in charge of the switch, will stop taking orders for old-style PTSN systems by September 2023, ahead of the big 2025 switch-off. 

How to make the switch to VoIP

Switching to a VoIP phone is an easy process. If you still need to make the switch, it's best to start searching for the best provider sooner rather than later. 

Securing a VoIP connection isn't complicated, and you will usually be able to keep the number you have now. If you want to find the best option for you, click the button below.

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FAQs: Your Questions Answered


While some parts of the UK have already been switched over to VoIP systems, the same will apply to the whole of the UK by the end of 2025. 

This means that all households and businesses in the UK need to make the switch as soon as possible. The earlier you prepare for the change, the less likely you are to be negatively affected.

Yes, the 2025 switch-off only applies to landline phones that still depend on PSTN systems. If you have a landline phone that uses VoIP technology, it will continue to work after the switch-off. The only difference is how your phone will receive its signal, landlines themselves are not being abandoned. 

If you still have a PSTN landline now is the time to switch to the new system, as doing so now will mean less hassle for you in the future and could also save you significant money on your phone bill.  

The key advantage they have over their older counterparts is that they cost less; maintaining a traditional phone line is more expensive than communicating over an IP address. In addition to this, they are also more reliable and allow employees to communicate with a device of their choice. 


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