BT are retiring their ISDN services, don’t be left short. Now is the time to consider the alternatives for your MAT.
As with many aspects of our lives, technology is advancing rapidly especially in the area of telephony communications. With the advent of digital communications, the traditional ISDN (copper wire) telephony services are going to be switched off by 2025.
It can be daunting to make changes but 2025 isn’t that far away and you don’t want to put this off to the last minute. In this blog, we explain what ISDN is, what alternative is available and how you can prepare for the switch off.
What is ISDN and why is it retiring?
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a set of protocols for the transmission of voice, video,and data across the vast infrastructure of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
At its conception, ISDN was cutting edge as it allowed features that had never been seen before and was the first 'high speed broadband’ that was able to still use the copper wire infrastructure.
However, PSTN is ageing and is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to fix or replace components. Furthermore, with mobile technology being used much more, the PSTN is no longer economically viable.
What is ISDN being replaced with?
You may have already started to see an impact of the phasing out of ISDN, as BT start to the shutting down of networks. BT, and other telecom operators, have been working on advanced IP-based networks which will require the use of a VoIP service (Voice over Internet Protocol).
What exactly isVoIP?
In essence, VoIP is a phone service over the internet. It converts your voice into a digital signal meaning that you can make a call directly from a computer, VoIP phone or other VoIP enabled devices.
You may have heard of VoIP or other names such as: IP telephony, internet telephony, broadband telephony, or broadband phone service.
To find out more about VoIP, read our Novatia Note –VoIP replaces ISDN -What exactly is VoIP?
What can you do to be Ready?
The last thing you want to do is continue investment in traditional ISDN capital. In just over two years, if you want to receive a supported telephony service, you will have to replace everything again leading to further expenditure for your MAT.
Moving away from the traditional system isn’t something that can be achieved overnight. You need to first understand what you have, how you use it and consider future proofing. The ideal is to find a long-term solution that is much more flexible, reliable, and manageable. This can be achieved by carrying out a review of your telephony services.
A review would cover technical, operational, and educational factors and will be analysed to inform your plan of action, giving you a clear picture of what kind of telephony service you need for your MAT and its’ schools.
Following your review and clear identification of what you need, you will then need to go out to market to procure your new telephony service. You want to ensure that any procurement process complies with Public Contract Regulations and is fair and transparent.
How we can help
Here at Novatia, we are a team of experienced and passionate ICT Consultants and specialists working within Education.
Through our knowledge, impartiality, and experience, we can support your MAT through both your telephony services review and procurement processes.
We ensure that you have the information you need to make the right decisions for your MAT and schools. Please do not hesitate to contact us to find out how we can help you.
Visit: www.novatia.com Email: info@novatia.com Call: 01962 832632
