IN THE BEGINNING…
Since around 2008, wherever possible, transmitting voice services over an Internet connection* (rather than an analogue / PSTN or digital / ISDN phone line) has been in testing within the industry with clients and customers who were asked to be early adopters of this technology.
*Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) are the replacement technologies behind the ability to make a simple phone call from a desk or DECT (cordless) handset. Both are based on Internet Protocol (IP).
Openreach, the division of British Telecom PLC (BT), which operates almost the entire UK Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which also incorporates the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN2e and ISDN30e), will be switching off ALL of these services in 2025.
Formal announcements were provided to the industry in 2018 of the new products and processes that Openreach had been trialling in their network to be able to withdraw PSTN/ISDN services and thus, all equipment connected to a pure ‘Copper’ network and is reliant on a ‘Dial Tone’ will, in effect, stop working.
This leaves Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) as your future options to use.
So, what is the difference between VoIP & SIP?
VoIP…
A VoIP system is more commonly known as a HOSTED system, i.e. there are IP handsets on site, which connect directly to a ‘cloud’ based server where all the clever bits happen.
Each IP handset attracts a monthly licencing fee and each person on line has the facility to make and receive a call.
The licence fee includes all the features that one would expect from any traditional phone system. Voicemail, call transfer, call hold, call diversion, call recording, call records and so on.
SIP…
SIP, put simply, are virtual phone lines that connect to a Hardware based system. For example, An on-site system such as a Mitel, which is using ISDN2e/30e for calls, can be converted to accept a SIP Trunk, with multiple SIP channels (using an Internet Connection to make and receive calls, rather than the traditional BT exchange / PSTN service).
The change means that the system will be part of the internal Local Area Network (LAN) and the ISDN card being made redundant making way for SIP channel licences.
With the BT/Analogue switch-off coming in 2025, now is the time to review what types of phone lines and broadband services you have in your business, as there are so many variations and factors to take into consideration.
There are around 50 (more or less) VoIP / SIP products and services on the market so the key element to choosing a new system is asking yourself, “does our current system fulfil our business practices?”
If the answer is yes, then look for those features first and then add the extras that modern VoIP / SIP functionality can bring to enhance those business processes. Contact Maximum Networks today to see how they can assist you further with getting the right telephone system in place for your business.
MAXIMUM NETWORKS
Get in touch with the Maximum Networks team team today on 0330 102 7444 or using our contact form