TELEPHONY businessinfomag.uk magazine 08 With less than three years to go before the PSTN switch off, Kristian Torode, co-founder and director of business telecoms services provider Crystaline, explains what businesses must do to ensure a smooth transition to all IP How to survive the PSTN switch off doorstep with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or to a street nearby with Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC). Review your hardware You might think that all your hardware needs to change when you move over to a digital solution, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Some digital solutions can be integrated with existing hardware, reducing the cost of a switchover. But switching can provide the ideal opportunity to review how well your existing hardware is working for your employees. Since hybrid working has become the norm, it might be that hardware purchased pre-pandemic isn’t really fit for your current working culture. Remember: it isn’t just phones Is anything else using your PSTN line that you weren’t aware of, like alarms, door entry systems and payment terminals. These are vital to the running of a business, so taking time to identify and list them is key to a smooth switchover. Involve the team Finding out that setups are changing can be daunting for employees. To make the transition as seamless as possible, it’s important to involve your staff every step of the way. Giving them the opportunity to ask questions and understand the new solution means that when it lands on their desks, they’ll be able to pick it up easily, minimising frustration and preventing an impact on productivity. Reviewing your options The digital replacement of the landline is Voice over Internet The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) has been providing landline connectivity for decades. However, the lines are expensive to maintain and their age is making it harder for service providers to find replacement parts. Simply put, these landlines just aren’t suitable for the modern world. As a result, the entire network will be switched off by 2025. With no new lines available for purchase from September 2023, what does the phasing out of PSTN mean for businesses today? Understanding the switch off All premises that currently rely on a landline connection will need to switch to a digital replacement before the final deadline. That includes properties that use the PSTN and the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). If you’re unsure whether your phone line relies on a PSTN connection, you can check by identifying the cord your phone is connected to. Traditional phone cords indicate a PSTN connection, whereas an ethernet cord suggests your phone is already operating through a digital line. Check your connection If you still need to switch to a digital line, the next step is to ensure your internet connection can support it. Evaluating your business’s current usage will help to identify the benchmark service required, but it’s important to think about the future too. A connection with low latency and high bandwidth is ideal. This can be achieved by opting for a fibre connection, either entirely to your Protocol, or VoIP. VoIP performs all the same functions as a traditional landline, but comes with extra benefits. For one, VoIP is fully scalable. Connections can be added and removed in just a few minutes, making it easy for businesses to adapt to quieter and busier seasons. It’s often also more cost-effective, as there’s no need for expensive and cumbersome hardware. VoIP systems can be accessed through the internet via multiple devices. Because employees aren’t tethered to their desks or a single piece of equipment, they have the opportunity to work more flexibly. And you don’t need to lose your existing phone numbers if you’re switching from a landline. All numbers can be ported onto a VoIP system, so you and your customers don’t need to memorise any new numbers. The PSTN switch-off is inevitable, but it doesn’t need to be complicated or confusing. Taking time to prepare will help to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible, future proofing your business for years to come. Crystaline is a UK-based telecommunications provider offering business mobile, voice, data, cloud and unified communications services to small and medium-sized businesses. Through partnerships with top communications providers, Crystaline supports businesses in keeping up with fast-paced technological developments, with a focus on delivering exceptional customer service and technology without the jargon. www.crystaline.uk
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDUxNDM=