BT to shut down copper network by 2025

It’s official, BT are
going to shut down their ISDN and PSTN (copper) network by 2025 and are moving
their whole network over to IP. This will have an effect on everyone in the UK
using ISDN which is big news. All ISDN lines in the UK are from the BT
network, and all ISDN and Analogue lines in the UK are connected to BT’s PSTN
network.

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What is ISDN?

ISDN, stands for
‘Integrated Services Digital Network’ and are phone lines that allow the
transmission of digital data (voice) over the PSTN network. They were
introduced in 1986 and were commonly used before the introduction of VoIP and SIP
Trunking.

What is PSTN?

PSTN (public switched telephone network) refers
to the international telephone system that uses copper wires to carry analog
voice data. It consists of a collection of individual telephones that are
hardwired to a public exchange. It's also referred to as the Plain Old
Telephone Service (POTS). Today, it is almost entirely digital in technology
except for the final link                                                                                                                          from the central (local) telephone office to the end-user. 

Why is it going to be
shut down?

ISDN itself isn’t really
failing, with many businesses currently using ISDN without problems. But, like
all technology, it eventually becomes obsolete.

With the introduction
of
Trunking, ISDN use has rapidly declined. The main factors being
these new technologies offering overall cheaper cost in calls and scalability,
improved reliability and new features. In other words, there is a better
service available that costs less than ISDN.

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What is VoIP and SIP
Trunking, and why are they better than ISDN?

is a technology that allows you to use your internet to make
voice calls, rather than through PSTN lines that a ‘traditional’ phone system
would do.

allows you to send multimedia (voice, instant messaging,
video calls etc.) using the internet. SIP enables VoIP to happen; it branches
out from VoIP and also
Both VoIP and SIP run
over a fibre network and offer cheaper calls compared to ISDN and, also offer
cheaper scalability. They are arguably more reliable and can offer crystal
clear calls. With SIP you get a host of new features that you wouldn’t get with
ISDN. Although, either system will provide a better service than ISDN.

The focus on improving and expanding
fibre-optic infrastructure is a crucial to keep up with the pace of digital
transformation around the world.

For more information on VoIP and SIP services, call our team on 0800 774 7772

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