Having worked with schools of varying sizes for many years, Open Telecom have been advising our customers on how we can help prepare them for the upcoming BT network changes. 

What’s happening?
BT have announced that they are planning to turn off their ISDN network for voice calling in 2025. They will stop taking new orders in 2023. 

Why are they doing this?
ISDN is the network that carries your telephone conversations when you talk on the phone. BT are turning off ISDN because the infrastructure behind it is based on an old network that has been adapted over the years. The cost of maintenance is becoming prohibitive and it is more cost effective to make a switch. 

What’s happening instead?
BT are changing to an IP network – a network that transmits voice and data more effectively. There are two options to consider, replacing your ISDN lines with SIP Lines and connecting this new style of line to your existing telephone system (if it can support SIP).

Or consider the move to ‘Hosted Telephony’ which means replacing your existing telephone system with a cloud based system. The Hosted Telephony solution doesn’t rely on a telephone system installed in a cupboard under the stairs in the way SIP does. It’s a solution installed into the internet with thousands and thousands of users connected to it across the country. So no matter where your location is you will always have access to the calls routing into your school. (Even if you can’t physically get into the school). 

What do all these words mean?

Internet Protocol (IP) IP is a set of rules that govern how things work in devices connected to the internet.

VoIP Your Voice will be transmitted over IP (across the internet)

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) These are IP (internet based lines) which connect to your telephone system via a new or existing internet connection. 

Will I see the change?
You won’t see any difference in the network, but you may need to upgrade your handsets or telephone system. You may see a difference in the additional options available with the new technology. For example, a cloud-based Hosted Telephony system makes it far easier to work remotely from the office or link multiple locations together. Transferring calls between multiple locations is as simple as transferring a call to someone sitting next to you.

Another major benefit is that voice calls are essentially free on VoIP systems. 

What do I have to do?
For now, you don’t need to do anything. But, if you are thinking of changing your system, make sure that it will be supported by the new network. 

Thinking about making the switch to Hosted Telephony?
There are many benefits to hosted telephony, including:
• A lower cost base
• No expensive telephone system to maintain on site
• Far superior disaster recovery features   

Open Telecom – Successfully Supporting Schools
Having built, managed and supported phone systems for a number of schools, and with maintenance contracts in place to protect your telephone system from unforeseen failures, our experience gives us the basis to create a bespoke system that suits your specific needs. 

We are very happy to chat over the options for the supply, installation and support of your new cloud-based VoIP system or to discuss if the move to SIP would be a better choice. We can provide you with a no obligation quotation for both options, helping you on the path to cost effective, future proofed telecommunications.  

How we can help.
For more information about how this solution could help your business, contact us today on 020 33 888 888 or email sales@opentelecom.co.uk