BT ISDN Switch Off

Unsure of what the BT ISDN switch off means for you and your business? In this blog we are going to explain all about the switch off and how it will affect you.

You may have heard that BT have confirmed they are switching off the ISDN lines in 2025. But what is ISDN and what does it mean for your phone system? ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network – it just means that the copper wires in the ground that a traditional telephone system would use to connect calls.

There are many reasons why BT are switching off traditional copper lines from 2025. The main reason is that the infrastructure simply does not have the capacity to meet the demand anymore. There are many restrictions with ISDN, including calls being made and received at the same time being restricted, also you’d have to use a separate line to access the internet compared to a lot of the technology that is available now.

If your phone currently runs on the ISDN line, the line will be switched off in 2025. There is no need to panic as this is taking place a few years from now, however it might be a good time to start looking for an alternative.

What’s the alternative?

The alternative is SIP trunking, SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol, this is a way of passing data and voice connections over the internet rather than using physical wires in the ground. A Trunk is referring to a package of phone lines shared between users.

?The best part is, most newer phones that run on ISDN lines can be switched over to SIP trunking either straight away, or you may need to buy a card to allow the switch. Of course, in order to make sure you get all the best benefits, you may need a newer phone.