One of the key reasons cited for the ISDN switch-off is that this older, more traditional system cannot accommodate the communications needs of businesses in the modern day.
Some businesses will have relied on ISDN systems for decades, and will understandably be concerned about the implications this change will have on their business. In this post, we will explore the main features of these different systems and also compare their efficiency in the modern business world.
The basic difference between these two systems is how they connect calls and transfer data. ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) relies on physical phone lines to transmit voice and data signals, in comparison to VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) relying on the internet to perform this task. VoIP is the newer of the two, and is considered in many aspects to be more advanced and efficient than the traditional ISDN technology, some key reasons listed here.
ISDN (Pros)
● The quality and reliability
of ISDN calls is of a high standard and does not rely on the internet to function, which can sometimes be patchy depending on the connection.
● Having been utilised since the 1980s, ISDN technology has a proven track record of being reliable and functional for businesses for many years.
● If your business has been using ISDN for a long time, staff will already be familiar with the system and confident in using the functions.
ISDN (Cons)
● Commonly, there are higher ongoing costs involved in ISDN compared to VoIP, as most companies charge rental on the telephony equipment, line rental and call package deals which can be expensive
● As ISDN is hard-wired and fixed to a geographical location, flexibility and scalability are limited and costly for a growing business. Each time you need to add a new phone user to your system, such as a new staff member, you’ll need to invest in extra phone lines and equipment, along with having the space to install them. Also, moving office location and phone numbers can be a complicated task, which is much easier with VoIP.
● These lines will be switched off in 2025, so they will only last for just over three more years before you will have to choose another system
VoIP (Pros)
● In comparison to ISDN, VoIP wins on the affordability front almost every time, due to there being less equipment and infrastructure required in the first place. Along with this, actual call packages are generally less expensive on VoIP, with internal calls often being free and international calls at a much lower price than landline.
● As VoIP requires no hard-wiring and is not fixed to a geographical location, it is easy to move and expand your phone system to suit your business needs. If you need to move to a new office, or add in a few new staff members to your phone system, this can all just be done within a few simple steps. No wires required!
● Another advantage to this cloud-based VoIP system is that it can be used anywhere, perfect for remote working and on-the-go staff who travel to various locations.
● VoIP is ever-developing with improved features on the horizon, with lots more useful advances to be seen in coming years. We are only just seeing the beginning of the possibilities with VoIP.
VoIP (Cons)
● As VoIP uses the internet to function, the quality and reliability of your phone systems will depend on the strength and durability of your broadband connection. Ensuring you have a strong internet connection is a must.
● Businesses may need to pay an initial cost to upgrade their current hardware to ensure it can connect to VoIP systems. However, the savings made from no rental fees and hardwiring outweighs this upfront cost.
Although there are some positive aspects to ISDN, the advantages listed for VoIP such as cost saving, flexibility and scalability will outweigh the traditional ISDN phone system for almost all modern businesses. With the ISDN switch-off in 2025 confirmed and set in stone, it is only a matter of time before all businesses will have to make the change over to VoIP, so to avoid switching will just prolong the inevitable.
For support and advice with all aspects of telecommunications, SA1 Telecom is here for you and your business. SA1 provides VoIP installation and setup for your business phone systems, along with a range of services such as 24/7 monitoring, call monitoring and around the clock support for our clients. Contact our team today to discuss upgrading your phone systems.
Most business leaders head into the New Year with ambitions surrounding how to boost their company, and this often includes considering ways to cut costs.
Read More
In light of businesses setting budgets for the New Year, we have highlighted the benefits of allocating resources to implement new IT and communications systems
Read More
All three major networks, EE, Vodafone and O2 have announced that Cardiff is among the list of UK cities that will have 5G rolled out during 2019.
Read More