ISDN switch off: What it means for your business
The Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is fast becoming a technology of the past. For years now businesses have relied on the technology for their communication needs. Today, the technology is no longer widely used in the provision of business voice and data services.
ISDN allowed both voice and data services over digital lines enabling quality video conferencing, data transfer and direct-dial in. It also provides multiple channels per line, enabling simultaneous phone calls.
As ISDN starts to be phased out, investment in the technology is set to substantially decrease making it less reliable over time. This and the fact that ISDN is already in the cease sale category, make it a less viable solution to clients. In January 2018, it will no longer be sold or installed and by 2020, all ISDN services will be switched off in compliance with the government directive to switch off the copper network.
It might seem a long way off but with thousands set to migrate and many having already moved on, this might happen sooner rather than later. Clients will be migrated to a single IP core network that ultimately will replace all legacy networks and platforms.
WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS
If your business still relies on the traditional ISDN, you will soon need to migrate to an IP SIP network. Instead of waiting until the curtains close on ISDN, it is advisable for you to make the move at the earliest.
But before settling on a new system, there are some important considerations that you should make. These include cost, functionality, integration and scalability. With this in mind, IP-based solutions such as SIP are the best alternatives for your businesses.
Many businesses in Australia have already moved to the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) network. The protocol allows the creation, modification and termination of sessions in an IP network. Voice and data are carried over your fibre internet connection eliminating the need for the traditional phone line.
OVERVIEW OF TELSTRA IP TELEPHONY – SIP CONNECT
One of the Telstra’ IP telephony solutions is the SIP Connect and it enables you to connect your PBX to Telstra’s Public Switched Telephone network (PSTN) via Telstra’s Next IP™ network.
This connection is via a direct IP connection using a Telstra accredited PBX allowing you to carry your voice and data traffic over a single network instead of using dedicated and separate PSTN circuits. Converging voice and data onto a single network helps to simplify your network, increasing bandwidth and management efficiency, as well as enabling access to advanced network-delivered features such as unified dial plans, “on-net” calling, and automated network call re-direction.
The connection links your voice devices and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) using your Telstra IP network. Calls can also transported to and from your voice device across the Telstra IP network to another one of your SIP Connect. This can be either internally on your IP Virtual Private Network (on-net calls) or out to the PSTN (off-net call) via gateways that sit within Telstra’s network.
You no longer need to maintain separate ISDN/PSTN lines and gateways at each of your sites. This allows you to focus on increasing the efficiency of a single converged IP network in order to maximise the return on your IP network investments.
In addition to providing access to the PSTN via IP, SIP Connect also provides a number of other features, such as;
- On-net calling between sites
- Short code dialing
- Access to enhanced mobility and continuity features
- Hybrid CPE and Hosted voice solutions capability
Switch now
At Teltech ICT, we are always on hand to help our clients identify the best option and the benefits they stand to gain by moving on from the outdated ISDN.
For more information, you can make enquiries online here.
Alternatively, our consultants love to have a chat, so give us a call on (03) 9781 7000.