Voice Archives - Fidelity Group UK

Your Final, Complete Guide to the iPhone 15

For Apple enthusiasts, mark your calendars and prepare for the much-awaited iPhone 15 series! With a lineup of four models, including the Plus, Pro, and Pro Max variants, Apple has again set the tech world abuzz. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the exciting new features of the iPhone 15, offer insights into which model might suit you best, and provide a glimpse into the anticipated release date. As Apple continues to push the boundaries of smartphone technology, the iPhone 15 is poised to deliver a range of exciting features. Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect:

1. eSIM Technology: One of the most anticipated features is the adoption of eSIM technology. Apple first introduced eSIM support with the iPhone XS series in 2018 and expanded with the iPhone 14. Now, it’s expected that the iPhone 15 will fully embrace eSIM technology globally. E-SIMs offer the convenience of a digital SIM card, making it easier to switch carriers and manage your connectivity options.

2. USB-C Ports: Rumors have been circulating about Apple’s potential transition to USB-C ports in the iPhone 15 lineup. This shift seems inevitable, with the European Union and India moving towards standardized charging ports. However, EU regulations will come into full effect at the end of 2024, leaving room for speculation about whether Apple might leap directly into wireless charging. Regardless of the specifics, this transition promises enhanced charging convenience and faster data transfers, especially for the Pro models.

3. Improved Camera Features: Photography enthusiasts take note! The iPhone 15 brings significant camera upgrades. Expect a 48-megapixel wide lens with a stacked image sensor, promising improved dynamic range, reduced noise, and minimized overexposure and underexposure. These enhancements will undoubtedly elevate your travel photography game.

4. Faster 5G Modem: All iPhone 15 models are set to incorporate a faster and more advanced modem chip, the X70 chip. This chipset is expected to leverage artificial intelligence capabilities for faster average speeds, better coverage, improved signal quality, lower latency, and a 60% improvement in power efficiency compared to the iPhone 14 series.

5. Dynamic Island: Building on the innovation introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro, the iPhone 15 is expected to feature the dynamic island. This interactive in-screen display replaces the traditional notch and showcases alerts, notifications, music controls, Maps directions, and more. It’s a visually engaging addition that promises to enhance user experience. iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max/Ultra Features For those seeking the pinnacle of iPhone technology, the Pro and Pro Max/Ultra models are expected to deliver a host of premium features:

1. A17 Bionic Chip: Insiders anticipate that these models will be powered by an A17 bionic CPU, featuring a tiny 3-nanometer chipset. This chip promises significant speed and battery life improvements, with TMSC, the chip manufacturer, predicting a 35% enhancement in power efficiency.

2. Periscope Lens: Apple will introduce its first periscope telephoto camera in the iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra. This 12-megapixel lens would enable a 6X optical zoom, twice the capability of the current pro models. It opens up new horizons for capturing distant subjects and enhances your photography options.

3. Titanium Frame: The iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra may sport a titanium frame, offering enhanced strength and reduced weight compared to the stainless steel models of the current pro versions. This change not only enhances durability but also contributes to a sleeker design.

4. Solid-State Volume and Power Buttons: Anticipated iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max/Ultra design features include solid-state volume and power buttons. These buttons will provide:

A flush surface.
Replicating the tactile feel of pressing a button without any physical movement.
Contributing to the overall premium look and feel of the device.

In conclusion, the iPhone 15 series promises an exciting array of features, catering to various preferences and priorities. Whether you’re interested in cutting-edge technology, photography enhancements, or an overall premium experience, the iPhone 15 has something for everyone. Stay tuned for the official unveiling and be prepared to be wowed by Apple’s latest masterpiece.

To get yours, contact us today.

A Comprehensive Guide to the Pros & Cons of VoIP

Telephony is changing, but it’s for the better. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is becoming more widely adopted in both large and small businesses, with the power to make calls through an internet connection seen as a massive step in the evolution of business communications.

It’s a rapidly expanding market estimated to be worth more than $100 billion worldwide by 2026. With the PSTN Switch Off in the UK edging closer and closer (it’ll be gone by 2025), moving away from the copper wire network is a necessary step for any business.

As with any major decision, business leaders need to know the advantages and disadvantages of investing in a VoIP phone system. Bringing in a whole new communication infrastructure will have a massive impact on the business and how employees work and collaborate with one another.

Regardless of your business size, knowing the pros and cons of VoIP will be pivotal when deciding on how much of a difference the latest innovation in telephony can make.

The Advantages of VoIP

VoIP is a cost-effective way to communicate

It turns out that relying on an internet connection to make voice calls is far more cost-effective than landlines. Costs can be reduced by as much as 90%, which can be pivotal for start-ups and smaller businesses that have to contend with budget restrictions.

These savings can be direct, such as having no on-premises hardware that requires maintenance, and indirect, including the money saved from people commuting to work since businesses can rely on video calls.

Indeed, international calls are cheaper to make and receive, meaning work can go global without the dread of facing a hefty phone bill.

Effective hybrid working models VoIP phone systems are also cloud-based, allowing businesses to collaborate from anywhere.

With 44% of workers opting for either home or hybrid working, there is a greater need to satisfy the expectations and needs of those who opt to work remotely. Employees have greater accessibility and flexibility with VoIP, as their VoIP numbers can be used from anywhere through softphones and other mobile devices. When it comes to resources, all that’s needed is a strong internet connection.

Future-proof comms with an adaptable and scalable solution

Regarding resources, VoIP systems are versatile and scalable when businesses start to grow. Adding and removing users doesn’t require significant hardware changes since there isn’t any hardware to begin with! Spikes in demand can be met with ease, and expansion doesn’t cause a massive drain on resources or overall productivity. Businesses are future-proofed and prepared for any significant changes in the field of telecommunications, primarily the PSTN Switch Off. Built-in redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities also give an added layer of business continuity in the case of unforeseen events. Investing in VoIP means telephony is modern and doesn’t risk becoming redundant, safeguarding the interests of the business at large.

Advanced, user-friendly features VoIP also has plenty of advanced functionalities that put it at the forefront of communication technology.

Call management and the ability to hold high-quality video conference calls, to name a few, give customers and employees an enhanced experience when communicating. Platforms are user-friendly and don’t require long and tedious training sessions to understand how each application works fully. The more time saved on getting up to speed, the more productive and efficient employees can be!

Enhanced security

Implementing a brand-new communication system always brings in security concerns, especially when businesses must stay in line with laws and regulations regarding data privacy, including HIPAA and GDPR. However, as IP technology has evolved and improved, advancements such as encryption, improved identity management, and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) mean that VoIP is just as secure as traditional landlines. Live notifications and reporting also add that extra level of security for businesses, both large and small.

Collaborating and multitasking have always been challenging.

With a VoIP phone system at hand, businesses are set to succeed in the digital-first future that is on the horizon. Sending files while enjoying a high-quality call opens up a whole new way to collaborate and multitask, especially when platforms are brought together to allow information to be found and shared more easily. Streamlined processes, which are strengthened by advanced decision-making, provide a more substantial base to build a better relationship with customers and establish a whole new level of trust.

So, that’s what VoIP can bring to a business. There’s a lot that VoIP can offer businesses of various sizes, and it is undoubtedly an exciting time to be thinking about migrating to a VoIP phone system. However, when presenting the advantages of VoIP, it is appropriate to raise the downsides of VoIP to understand what this latest step in telephony entails.

The disadvantages of VoIP

Reliance on an Internet Connection

A digital-first future brings plenty of exciting steps forward. However, even though VoIP helps free employees from being tethered to their desk phones, an internet connection is still needed for it to work. VoIP cannot function and unleash its full potential and power without a reliable network with the appropriate bandwidth. A significant disruption in connectivity that takes a considerable amount of time to fix leads to further havoc for business continuity, leading to frustrated staff and disgruntled customers who can’t get in touch. Considering more than 60% of customers take their business elsewhere after a poor experience, keeping customers on your side is more important than ever.

Latency and jitter

Low-quality internet can also translate into low-quality calls, with the prospect of latency and jitter hanging over VoIP phone systems. Latency is defined as the ‘lag time’ between when the data packets are sent and when they arrive, meaning that a jammed ‘internet highway’ causes call quality to drop significantly. A misassembled sequence of data packets creates jitter, resulting in calls that cannot be deciphered or interpreted. Again, the reliance on a stable internet connection can cause some drawbacks for VoIP, especially when quality comes into question. It’s best to aim for a latency of 200ms or below to ensure that employees aren’t subject to this delay in data transfer.

Shortcomings during an emergency

Mobility is a strong advantage for VoIP, but when someone needs to make an emergency call, problems can arise. Landline calls made it simple for emergency services to trace the source of a call. Still, it’s difficult to pinpoint the call’s origin since VoIP calls come from an IP address, and these VoIP numbers aren’t associated with a particular broadcasting tower.

Moreover, a power outage renders VoIP inoperable, which is never ideal in an emergency, so businesses without a backup power supply cannot make any call. Copper-wired phones, meanwhile, would still be able to function.

Handling external security threats

We’ve already mentioned the positive aspects of VoIP security, but the reliability of a constant online connection does open security risks. Vishing, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS), and call tampering are all various methods that hackers and other hostile parties can deploy to steal critical business information. Security concerns should always be taken seriously, even if the bonus of end-to-end encryption and other security measures gives VoIP an added layer of security. Just like with any piece of software, there are disadvantages to keep.

In summary, VoIP presents significant advantages for businesses of all sizes, offering cost savings, flexibility, scalability, advanced features, and enhanced security. However, it also comes with challenges, including reliance on a stable internet connection, potential call quality issues, emergency handling concerns, and security threats.

When considering VoIP adoption, it’s essential for business leaders to evaluate their specific needs and invest in a robust network infrastructure to support this technology. Finding the right VoIP solution tailored to your business can drive success and growth, fostering closer collaboration and an enhanced customer experience.

Our team is waiting for your call to help your organisation to communicate better. Contact us today!

Cut Costs and Increase Productivity: 15 Reasons Why You Need Business Mobiles

In today’s highly mobile world, businesses must adapt their communication strategies to meet the demands of a flexible work environment. One effective solution is to provide employees with business mobiles. Not only does this enhance productivity and accessibility, but it also offers a range of other advantages. This article will explore 15 key benefits of using business mobiles, from cost savings to future-proofing your telecoms infrastructure.

Cost-saving: Business mobile contracts can be a cost-effective alternative to individual commercial mobile solutions, reducing overall running costs for your business.
Improved connectivity: Business mobiles keep your staff connected, allowing them to stay in touch with colleagues even when they are on the road or away from their desks.
Pooled data: With business mobile phones, you can have pooled mobile data, enabling usage to be shared among devices and avoiding out-of-bundle charges.
Unified billing: Simplify your billing process by consolidating all mobile contracts into one monthly bill, reducing paperwork and administrative tasks.
High-quality handsets: Business mobile contracts offer a wide range of handset options, allowing you to choose devices that suit your business needs and budget.
Employee perk: Providing employees with their business mobiles is seen as valuable, enabling them to work flexibly and enhancing their work-life balance.
Personalized support: Partnering with Fidelity Group, ensures dedicated account management and in-house support for your business mobiles.
Streamlined network: By moving to business mobiles, you can have all employees on one network, using the same tariff and contract term, simplifying management and reducing complexity.
VoIP mobile app integration: Seamlessly integrate your VoIP telephone system with the VoIP mobile app, enabling remote workers to stay connected with customers and prospects.
Lone worker protection: Business mobile phones provide GPS tracking and emergency contact details, ensuring the safety of remote or on-the-road workers.
Work-from-home capabilities: Business mobiles enable employees to stay connected with colleagues, customers, and prospects while working from home, ensuring seamless communication.
Business continuity: Unify your fleet of mobiles under one account, ensuring consistent communication and easy management, even during unexpected events.
Future-proofing: With the impending 2025 ISDN switch-off and the rise of remote work, business mobiles offer a future-proof solution for your telecoms infrastructure.
Ruggedized phones: For businesses operating in challenging environments, ruggedized mobile phones provide durability and reliability, ensuring they withstand tough conditions.
Flexible working environments: Business mobiles empower employees to work flexibly, whether it’s hot desking, remote working, or commuting, enabling seamless connectivity.

Conclusion

Business mobiles offer many advantages, from cost savings and improved connectivity to future-proofing telecoms infrastructure. By providing your team with business mobiles, you can enhance productivity, streamline communication processes, and adapt to the demands of a mobile business environment. To learn more about how Fidelity Group business mobile solutions can benefit your business, visit our website or contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote. Stay connected and stay ahead with business mobiles.

The Advantages of VoIP: Making the Right Choice for Your Business Phone System Introduction

The world of telephony is rapidly evolving, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is at the forefront of this transformation. As businesses move away from traditional copper wire networks, hosted VoIP telephony is becoming increasingly popular. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the advantages of VoIP, helping you make an informed decision for your business phone system.

Advantages of VoIP

1. Cost-effective Communication: VoIP significantly reduces communication costs compared to traditional landlines. Savings of up to 90% can be achieved, making it an ideal choice for startups and smaller businesses with budget constraints. The elimination of on-premise hardware and the ability to conduct video calls enable global communication without the fear of expensive phone bills.

2. Effective Hybrid Working Models: With the rise of remote and hybrid work, VoIP’s cloud-based nature allows seamless collaboration from anywhere with a strong internet connection. Employees can use their VoIP numbers through softphones and mobile devices, ensuring greater accessibility and flexibility.

3. Future-proof and Scalable: VoIP systems are highly adaptable and scalable, accommodating business growth without requiring major hardware changes. They are prepared for upcoming industry changes, such as the PSTN Switch Off, ensuring long-term relevance. Built-in redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities further ensure business continuity.

4. Advanced, User-friendly Features: VoIP offers a range of advanced functionalities, including call management and high-quality video conference calls, enhancing communication experiences for both customers and employees. User-friendly platforms minimize the need for extensive training, boosting overall productivity.

5. Enhanced Security: Modern VoIP systems implement advanced security measures, such as encryption, identity management, and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), ensuring data privacy compliance. Live notifications and reporting provide added layers of security for businesses of all sizes.

6. Seamless Collaboration and Multitasking: VoIP enables efficient multitasking and collaboration, allowing employees to send files while on calls, streamlining processes, and fostering stronger customer relationships.

Conclusion

VoIP presents many advantages, making it an enticing option for businesses looking to modernize their communication infrastructure. With careful planning, a reliable internet connection, and robust security measures, businesses can harness the power of VoIP to drive success and growth.

If you’re considering implementing a VoIP phone system, explore trusted VoIP solutions that align with your business needs and goals. Embrace the possibilities of closer collaboration, enhanced customer experiences, and the many benefits VoIP can bring to your organization.

Our team eagerly anticipates your call, ready to empower your organization with improved communication. Reach out to us without delay and ignite the transformation today.

What is Hosted VoIP?

In the dynamic realm of modern business, effective communication is paramount for achieving success. To maintain a competitive edge, businesses must possess dependable and streamlined communication systems that can flexibly accommodate their changing requirements. This is precisely where Hosted VoIP emerges as a game-changer.

In this article, we will delve into the concept of Hosted VoIP and its potential to transform the way businesses communicate.

#Understanding VoIP

Before delving into the specifics of Hosted VoIP, let’s first grasp the fundamentals of VoIP. VoIP, short for Voice over Internet Protocol, is a technology that enables voice communication over the internet rather than traditional telephone lines. Instead of relying on conventional phone networks, VoIP converts voice signals into digital data packets and transmits them over the internet.

VoIP has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years due to its cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and advanced features. It empowers businesses to make and receive calls using their existing internet connection, eliminating the need for separate phone lines. This not only reduces communication expenses but also offers enhanced scalability and mobility.

The Evolution of VoIP: Hosted VoIP

While VoIP itself is a transformative technology, Hosted VoIP takes it to the next level. Hosted VoIP, also referred to as Cloud PBX (Private Branch Exchange), is a service where a third-party provider hosts and manages the VoIP infrastructure. This eliminates the need for businesses to invest in costly on-premises equipment or concern themselves with maintenance and upgrades.

With Hosted VoIP, businesses gain access to a wide array of advanced communication features without the burden of infrastructure management. These features encompass call forwarding, voicemail, auto-attendant, call recording, and more. Furthermore, Hosted VoIP seamlessly integrates with other business applications, such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems, amplifying productivity and efficiency. Benefits of Hosted VoIP Hosted VoIP presents numerous compelling advantages that make it an appealing choice for businesses of all sizes. Let’s delve deeper into these benefits:

Cost Savings: By harnessing the power of the internet for voice communication, businesses can significantly reduce their phone expenses. Hosted VoIP eliminates the need for separate phone lines and slashes long-distance charges, resulting in substantial cost savings.
Scalability: With Hosted VoIP, businesses can effortlessly scale their communication systems to align with their evolving needs. Whether expanding operations or downsizing, adding or removing phone lines becomes a seamless process.
Flexibility and Mobility: Hosted VoIP empowers employees to make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility enables businesses to embrace remote work and ensures seamless communication across multiple locations.
Advanced Features: Hosted VoIP offers a rich array of advanced features that enhance communication and collaboration. Features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and virtual receptionist enable businesses to deliver exceptional customer service and streamline internal communication.
Reliability: Hosted VoIP providers prioritize high uptime and reliability by leveraging redundant data centers and robust network infrastructure. This ensures uninterrupted communication, even during unforeseen circumstances, allowing businesses to operate without disruptions.

Conclusion Hosted VoIP is transforming business communication with its cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and rich feature set. By embracing this solution, businesses can streamline their communication processes, boost productivity, and deliver outstanding customer experiences. If you’re seeking to elevate your business communication, it’s time to explore the potential of Hosted VoIP.

To delve deeper into the world of Hosted VoIP and discover how it can revolutionize your business communication, visit Fidelity Group’s dedicated Voice over Internet Protocol page.

What is the PSTN switch-off?

The PSTN switch-off is a major change for businesses in the UK, as it will impact how they communicate with customers, partners, and employees. The PSTN network has been used for over a century, and many businesses have built their communication systems around it.

With the switch-off of PSTN-based services, businesses will need to make the transition to VoIP to continue to provide reliable communication.

How does this affect me?
As the switch-off date approaches, businesses must start planning their transition to VoIP. This includes identifying what equipment and services will be needed, such as new phones and phone numbers, and ensuring that the new system is tailored to their specific needs.

Businesses also need to consider the cost of the transition, as it may require some initial investment.

The Alternative:

One major benefit of the PSTN switch-off is that it will enable businesses to take advantage of the benefits of VoIP. VoIP is a more flexible and cost-effective solution compared to PSTN, as it allows for call routing, voicemail, and other features to be managed and accessed remotely. Additionally, VoIP provides better call quality, as it is less susceptible to interference and noise.

Conclusion
The PSTN switch-off is an inevitable change that will affect all businesses in the UK who use a fixed line phone service. It presents an opportunity for businesses to modernize their communication systems and take advantage of the benefits of VoIP. Businesses should start planning their transition now to ensure a smooth transition and continue to provide reliable communication to their customers. By working with Fidelity Group, businesses can ensure that their new system is tailored to their specific needs, and that the transition is as cost-effective as possible.

For Fidelity connectivity solutions click here.

USB Type-C will become the common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the EU

By autumn 2024, USB Type-C will become the common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the EU, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed today.

One single charger for frequently used small and medium-sized portable electronic devices
Charging speed harmonised for devices that support fast charging
Buyers can choose whether to purchase new device with or without charging device

The provisional agreement on the amended Radio Equipment Directive, establishes a single charging solution for certain electronic devices. This law is a part of a broader EU effort to make products in the EU more sustainable, to reduce electronic waste, and make consumers’ lives easier.

Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charging device and cable every time they purchase a new device, and can use one single charger for all of their small and medium-sized portable electronic devices. Mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers that are rechargeable via a wired cable will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port, regardless of their manufacturer. Laptops will also have to be adapted to the requirements by 40 months after the entry into force.

The charging speed is also harmonised for devices that support fast charging, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.

Better information and choice for consumers

Consumers will be provided with clear information on the charging characteristics of new devices, making it easier for them to see whether their existing chargers are compatible. Buyers will also be able to choose whether they want to purchase new electronic equipment with or without a charging device.

These new obligations will lead to more re-use of chargers and will help consumers save up to 250 million euro a year on unnecessary charger purchases. Disposed of and unused chargers are estimated to represent about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually.

Encouraging technological innovation

As wireless charging technology becomes more prevalent, the European Commission will be empowered to develop so-called delegated acts, on the interoperability of charging solutions.

Quote

Parliament’s rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba (S&D, MT) said: “Today we have made the common charger a reality in Europe! European consumers were frustrated long with multiple chargers piling up with every new device. Now they will be able to use a single charger for all their portable electronics. We are proud that laptops, e-readers, earbuds, keyboards, computer mice, and portable navigation devices are also included in addition to smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers. We have also added provisions on wireless charging being the next evolution in the charging technology and improved information and labelling for consumers”.

Article source: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news

The benefits of a toll free number | Fidelity Group UK

Business marketing has changed drastically over the years, and business owners are now under pressure to adapt and thrive within this new competitive environment. In a world where companies are competing hard to reach the pinnacle of success, businesses need to stay relevant and be available to their customers 24/7.

To ensure this, many companies utilise a toll-free number service to strengthen customer relationships, maintain brand recognition, track consumer behavior, and improve customer retention rates. A toll-free number is an indispensable asset that helps businesses grow over time. It allows your customers to call your business for free and the toll-free call’s cost is borne by companies (who are usually the toll-free subscribers), and not the calling party (customers).

Toll-free numbers make your business much more accessible. And even with cell phones now being nearly ubiquitous, a toll-free number can be a marketing tool in and of itself. Plus, toll-free numbers are relatively inexpensive, so if you use them right, they can be a low-hassle way to better connect with your customers. And that’s always the end goal.

1. Better customer service

Customers often prefer communicating with a business, be it before making a purchase decision or for post-sale services. Companies will have to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted communication process between customers and the support team. That is the only way they can enhance the customer experience and retain their loyal customers.

With toll-free numbers, businesses can enable customers to instantly connect with their support agents to get their issues resolved, which, as a result, improves engagement and customer satisfaction rates.

2. The portability factor

Toll-free numbers are portable; therefore, companies can retain their old number for receiving essential business calls. They do not have to switch to another number when relocating their business to a different location. As a result, companies will not face any disruption in handling customer communications.

3. Strengthens your brand image

On a fundamental level, having a free number that your end-users can dial to have a quick chat and get their issues solved makes your organization look good. Service of this kind is imperative for a business that is willing to take that extra step to help its customer and maintain its brand image.

Toll-free numbers come with considerable trust benefits. They are highly recognizable as business contact numbers, and an organization that uses them is unlikely to be seen as a small-time operation. These numbers can be highly useful as a catchall identifier that users will trust.

4. Acts as a marketing instrument

Promoting your toll-free numbers on marketing platforms can maximize the turn out of the customers instantly. Companies can also take advantage of the ‘click-to-call’ feature by directly linking their toll-free numbers with call extensions.

According to Google, a majority of search users connect with a business directly through the ‘click-to-call’ option. They find it convenient and easy when compared to other methods of communication.

5. It is cost-effective

Today, toll-free numbers services are easy to set up & affordable for businesses of all kinds. The subscription rates for these services are lower than regular telephone services.

6. Cloud advantage

Toll-free numbers work with cloud platforms, which gives it additional advantages over the traditional phone system. Cloud communication platforms provide maximum uptime and robust infrastructure, which helps companies build better customer experience.

When a company fails to offer a toll-free number, consumers are most likely to pass on to the ones that do. Switching from a traditional number to a toll-free number can help a company reach out to larger audiences and get more potential customers. Using toll-free numbers can also elevate a company’s brand image, save costs, and generate rewarding sales leads.

Sources: https://www.kaleyra.com/ and https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/.

PSTN and ISDN 2025 Switch Off

In 2025, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is being switched off by BT Openreach, which means everyone, including businesses, currently using PSTN-based services will need to move to another service before then.

The alternative? Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), a solution that transmits voice calls and data using an internet connection.

This is a major step towards the United Kingdom’s mass IP-network migration, with VoIP core networks set to replace all the legacy PSTN services in just a few years’ time.

What is the PSTN and ISDN Switch Off?

The Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) is aging and will reach the end of life in December 2025. The PSTN supports a number of Openreach products which Communication Providers (CPs) purchase at regulated pricing and often sell to businesses and consumers, wrapped up in their own line rental, broadband and call package deal. These include: Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).

ISDN is available in two common variants: ISDN2 supports channels in pairs and you can have between 2 ISDN channels or 8 ISDN channels. ISDN30 is provided for larger business customers usually, with options to have between 8 ISDN channels and 30 ISDN channels on each service. A single ISDN channel will provide a customer with 1 concurrent call at a time. At the end of December 2025 traditional telephony, including fixed lines and services in the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) will be switched off and withdrawn from service.

Embrace the future of telephony by replacing your landline with VoIP before the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) is switched off in 2025.

Why is Openreach withdrawing the PSTN and ISDN network in December 2025?

The Public Switch Telephone Network allows calls to be made over copper telephone lines and fibre telephone lines using analogue signalling and is known as “traditional telephony”. As broadband services have increased in reliability and quality over the past 10 years, the PSTN has evolved to support this change to an almost completely digital network using digital technology. This means there will no longer be a requirement for the majority of traditional fixed line telephony users for fixed-analogue services in the coming years and traditional fixed lines and calls will cease to exist. The priority for Openreach moving forward, is to maintain a high availability fibre first network, as a result their legacy infrastructure and equipment serving the PSTN is now ageing and becoming more difficult to maintain.

What other lines and calls services are impacted by the 2025 closure?

The Public Switch Telephone Network currently supports WLR, ISDN2 and ISDN30, Local Loop Unbundling Shared Metallic Path Facilities (LLUSMPF), Narrowband Line Share and Classic Products. These products are commonly mentioned by providers when discussing the PSTN Withdrawal but most providers fail to mention the connectivity products which are using these services like Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL) Broadband and Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) Broadband which will be impacted the WLR End of Life project. This is because the underlying line product is being withdrawn, therefore there is no underlying WLR telephone service to support the broadband.

For Fidelity connectivity solutions click here.

How and when will Openreach start withdrawing service?

Openreach’s method to withdraw WLR and ISDN telephony products is still to be confirmed. Their strategy for UK wide withdrawal is still undefined in regards to if this will be at exchange level, geographical area or premise technology availability. Openreach have begun trailing the withdrawal in two exchanges, with the first starting as early as September 2019. This is the date CPs expect Openreach to issue a formal notification of stop sell in their Salisbury Exchange, Wiltshire. This exchange is the Openreach Full Fibre Trial and is the first of two Openreach Trial Exchanges, which will see full withdrawal of WLR and ISDN by December 2022. The second exchange is the Mildenhall Exchange which will see the first Single Order (SO) trial begin circa January 2020. This exchange will focus on a complete withdrawal of services by the December 2022 also, even if no fibre is available. Premises serviced by the Mildenhall Exchange will be replaced with SOGEA and SOTAP products and the communication provider will need to provide an over the top VoIP replacement service such as a hosted PBX system license or SIP Trunking.

What will happen to Alarm lines, payment terminals and other special line rental services after 2025?

During the Public Switch Telephone Network closure, all these services need to be tested with new IP technology and the SO products. This means alarm line companies, payment terminals, traffic light systems, payphone lines, emergency pendants, dialysis machines, telemetry devices and any other special service must be tested by the equipment manufacturers.

Will Openreach meet the December 2025 Deadline?

Openreach are adamant the December 2025 deadline is set in stone. Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) Lines that have not migrated to alternative services in April 2025 will be deemed as Orphaned Assets and Openreach intend to work with CPs to identify and migrate these customer to alternative products by the December 2025 deadline so they do not lose service. The actions to be taken are yet to be defined and the difficulties identifying the use of the line, and in some cases the end user customer, along with the contractual agreement to move is still to be confirmed but be assured, services will be withdrawn and customers will be impacted should they not move in time.

Credit article and imagery: Digital Wholesale Solutions | www.digitalwholesalesolutions.com

The Advantages of VoIP

VoIP is a cost-effective way to communicate

Effective hybrid working models VoIP phone systems are also cloud-based, allowing businesses to collaborate from anywhere.

Future-proof comms with an adaptable and scalable solution

Advanced, user-friendly features VoIP also has plenty of advanced functionalities that put it at the forefront of communication technology.

Enhanced security

Collaborating and multitasking have always been challenging.

The disadvantages of VoIP

Reliance on an Internet Connection

Latency and jitter

Shortcomings during an emergency

Handling external security threats

Conclusion

Advantages of VoIP

Conclusion

#Understanding VoIP

The Evolution of VoIP: Hosted VoIP

1. Better customer service

2. The portability factor

3. Strengthens your brand image

4. Acts as a marketing instrument

5. It is cost-effective

6. Cloud advantage

What is the PSTN and ISDN Switch Off?

Why is Openreach withdrawing the PSTN and ISDN network in December 2025?

What other lines and calls services are impacted by the 2025 closure?

How and when will Openreach start withdrawing service?

What will happen to Alarm lines, payment terminals and other special line rental services after 2025?

Will Openreach meet the December 2025 Deadline?

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