Embrace the benefits of VoIP today

04/03/22 Wavenet
Embrace the benefits of VoIP today placeholder thumbnail

Many businesses are turning to internet-based telephony today, well in advance of the switch off date. They want to be able to make calm and considered choices about the best all-IP solutions for their needs.

So, your customers will ned to make the transition to an all-IP service at some point between now and 2025. But there’s a carrot as well as a stick here. It might sound like just another problem to solve, but look at it another way and the ISDN switch off is a fantastic opportunity to make your customers' businesses more effective.

If you want to help your customers improve communications and collaboration in their business, there are good reasons to embrace the change. VoIP is a significant upgrade on ISDN and PSTN, and the sooner they move the sooner they’ll start to see its benefits. Here are some of the benefits:

 

VoIP is perfect for homeworkers

Businesses with employees working from home during the pandemic, and if they intend to retain an element of flexible or hybrid working when it ends, VoIP is the right solution at the right time. All-IP communications let workers take their work phone number wherever they go. Using softphones on computers and smartphones (even BYOD) saves on equipment costs and gives staff access to the same smart call handling features wherever they are.

If your customers choose to integrate VoIP with a Unified Communications (UC) solution - which combines voice with video, chat, SMS, conferencing and more - employees effectively take the office home with them. UC offers a range of sophisticated communication and collaboration tools, and makes them available to anyone with a suitable internet connection.  

 

WHC with Cisco Webex 23

 

VoIP is two solutions in one

VoIP can benefit your customers' businesses in a number of ways. Most obviously, it’s two solutions in one, delivering voice and data on the same network. It can help simplify infrastructure, and with it the time needed to spend on maintenance and administration. Some VoIP solutions - like Hosted Voice - do away with on-premise equipment altogether, eliminating a significant security, storage and maintenance headache.

 

VoIP is flexible

Organisations can create the VoIP service that is exactly right for them. For example, a Hosted Voice solution enables organisations say goodbye to on-premise infrastructure altogether, but that might not be the best choice for everyone. If a business has recently invested in new telecoms equipment, the switch to IP won’t make it obsolete. Just choose an IP solution, like SIP Trunking, that will combine with existing phones and your on-premise PBX to work as before.

And VoIP is flexible in another important way, too. It scales up and down easily to meet business needs. In fact, many VoIP services let admins add users at the click of a mouse through a self-serve online portal. With cloud-based solutions, adding or taking away features and permissions is just as simple.

 

VoIP is cost-effective

That flexibility has another advantage: it’s part of what makes VoIP so cost-effective. There’s no need for your customers to invest in extra capacity to make sure  they can cover future growth or peaks in demand. Simply add or take seats away as the needs of their sales cycle or expansion plans dictate. They will never pay for capacity they can’t use.

The use of cloud infrastructure and softphones also takes away equipment purchase and maintenance costs, and call charges are often lower with VoIP than with ISDN or PSTN. And in many cases, a standard per user per month charging model cuts the overall cost of communications and simplifies budgeting.

 

WHC with Cisco Webex 13

 

The ISDN alternative that’s right for your customers

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to switch from ISDN to All-IP telephony. At the same time, not all VoIP services are the same. To get maximum benefit you need to choose the right type of IP telephony for your customers' business needs.

That’s where we come in. We’re a BT Wholesale Elite partner, so we offer a full range of IP telephony solutions, covering the requirements of every business size and sector. We can also advise you on the connectivity you need to ensure the smooth and efficient running of your customers' VoIP service.

With VoIP, you don’t have to take a one-size-fits-all solution and hope for the best. For a sole trader or start-up, basic IP telephony bundled with reliable broadband may be the best fit. For larger organisations - from SME to enterprise - the flexibility of hosted voice or SIP Trunking, combined with sophisticated call handling features and UC compatibility, could give a competitive edge. The great thing about many VoIP services is that organisations can upgrade features as soon as they decide they need them.

So, whether your customers want a basic service or something they can build a full suite of features and integrations on, the benefits of IP telephony far outweigh the inconvenience of switching away from ISDN. That’s why many organisations are acting now, rather than waiting for 2025. If you want to start enjoying the benefits of an agile, efficient and cost-effective VoIP service ahead of your competitors, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your Account Manager. 

 

New call-to-action


 

VoIP, hybrid working, Full-Fibre Future

Latest blogs

See all posts
A happy house tenant is using an app on her phone to report a home issue to her housing provider
From risk to resolution: how Active Assessor helps you stay ahead of Awaab's Law

What does Awaab's Law mean and why does it matter? Damp and mould aren’t just inconvenient maintenance problems - they’re serious risks to tenant health, regulatory compliance, and the reputation of housing providers. Nearly 1 in 7 social homes in England failed to meet the Decent Homes Standard in 2023¹. On top of that, the NHS is estimated to spend £1.4 billion a year treating health issues related to cold, damp housing². And yet, more than half of tenants experiencing condensation, damp or mould don’t report it. Often, they don’t recognise the early signs, or they simply don’t believe they’ll be taken seriously. This silence leaves landlords in the dark and turns small, fixable issues into expensive, high-risk problems. The tragic death of Awaab Ishak in 2020 brought national attention to the dangers of mould in social housing. In response, Awaab’s Law was introduced in 2023, significantly raising the bar for housing providers. Under the new legislation, social landlords must investigate hazards like damp and mould within 14 days, begin necessary repairs within 7 days, and complete the work within 21 days. This has turned what was once a service expectation into a legal requirement. But with so many issues going unreported, housing providers are left vulnerable. Failing to detect or act on early signs doesn’t just put tenants at risk—it can now result in legal and reputational consequences. The Challenge: Strained Teams & Outdated Systems Most housing providers care deeply about tenant safety. The problem isn’t willingness—it’s capacity. Maintenance teams, IT departments, and customer contact centres are already stretched thin. Spotting early-stage issues requires tools they simply don’t have. Traditional, manual inspections are expensive and slow. Reactive workflows leave little room to get ahead of problems. And despite growing demand for proactive service, only 13% of customers actually receive it. The systems many teams rely on today are fragmented, outdated, and not fit for the pressures of a post-Awaab world. The Solution: Active Assessor by 8x8

Read more
Placeholder thumbnail
There's more to the PSTN switch-off than meets the eye

What is the PSTN switch-off? The impending PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) switch-off isn’t just about replacing traditional lines. It’s a seismic shift that impacts far more than most realise – and if you’re not prepared, it could cost your business dearly. Most companies are aware that traditional analogue lines and ISDN systems for calls and broadband are being phased out by January 2027. But what many don’t see is the vast ripple effect of this transition – touching everything from lifts to life-critical systems, cash machines, and even traffic lights. What does the PSTN switch-off mean in simple terms? When it comes to the PSTN switch-off, it’s easy to think that it is just about phone lines. But the truth is, it’s much more complex. Here is what’s at stake: Life-saving systems: fire alarms, major medical and safety devices, emergency alarms in care homes, emergency pendants, telemetry services monitoring boiler rooms, dams, sluice gates, and substations. Public infrastructure: traffic lights, bus stops, speed cameras, and traffic management systems. Business-critical devices: PDQ and payment terminals, ATMS, CCTV, video surveillance, door entry, security systems, and remote access points. Transport & emergency services: roadside AA/RAC recovery alerts and devices, and emergency phone lines in hazardous environments. Telecommunications & internet: leased lines, private networking facilities, dial-up lines, broadband DSL services, and international leased lines. Community & public services: emergency teams and vehicles, payphones, modems, industrial control, public alerts, and more. If every one of these vital systems suddenly loses connectivity – chaos, downtime, and danger could follow. The possible business impact of the PSTN switch-off could be financial losses, public safety risks and erosion of customer trust. The PSTN switch-off is a vital business resilience issue – the time to act is now Unlike many providers who may focus on the obvious, we see what others miss. Our team dives beneath the surface, examining your entire network ecosystem to identify what’s at risk when the PSTN switches off. We have mapped out the hidden web of critical systems that rely on legacy infrastructure – and yes, we’ve prepared solutions for each one. Check out our iceberg infographic to see a quick glance of the PSTN switch-off picture. The switch-off is just the tip of the iceberg. Without planning, your operations could face catastrophic disruption. Don’t let your business be caught unaware. Reach out today for an in-depth assessment, and explore solutions tailored to your critical systems. Because when it comes to the PSTN switch-off, we see beyond the iceberg – and help your business stay afloat.

Read more
Placeholder thumbnail
What will happen to businesses when landlines go digital?

Preparing your business for the WLR switch-off and ensuring a smooth transition Most businesses currently rely on traditional analogue lines, ISDN, or broadband connected through Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) – the infrastructure powering your calls, data, security systems, and more. But the truth is, the WLR switch-off is on the horizon – and it’s affecting businesses in ways they might not be expecting. It’s not just about telephony! Do you really know what your WLR lines are powering? And what your options are? The countdown is on - Openreach’s deadline to shut down traditional analogue phone lines, ISDN, broadband, and other vital WLR-connected services is January 2027 (or even sooner). If you’re not fully prepared, your business could face serious disruption: Your phones may stop ringing, cutting off essential customer contact Lifts and critical facilities could cease functioning Broadband and internet services might go offline unexpectedly Your customers’ access to your services could be lost What exactly are your WLR lines powering? Many businesses don’t realise just how much relies on their existing WLR lines and traditional networks. The PSTN and WLR include more than just voice calls; they power card payment terminals, security alarms, lift controls, entry systems, CCTV, emergency systems, and many other critical business operations. Without a clear understanding of which lines are used for what, you risk missing vital services during the switch-over. Managing large estates or multiple sites makes this even trickier – you may be unaware of what lines you have, what they’re used for, where they’re located, or what they are connected to, creating a significant business risk. What do you do when landlines go digital? Don’t wait until disruption strikes. The earlier you identify your current setup and plan your migration, the smoother and more secure your transition will be. Download our free WLR Audit Factsheet – a straightforward guide to show you how we can help. Stay ahead of the clock. Take control now to ensure your business’s ongoing communications and critical services remain unaffected. Visit wavenet.co.uk/pstn-switch-off  for more information. 

Read more
Placeholder thumbnail
What is the WLR switch-off?

The WLR switch-off roadmap The countdown has begun – are you prepared? The WLF (Wholesale Line Rental) switch-off is already underway, and by January 2027, all traditional PSTN and ISDN lines will be switched off. Doing nothing isn’t an option anymore. Without action, your vital communications could face disruption, affecting your business operations and customer service. Why act now for the WLR switch-off? This isn’t just a technical upgrade – it’s a chance to transform your communication infrastructure into a reliable, feature-rich, all-IP network. Moving to an all-IP network unlocks better reliability, feature-rich communication, and future-proof capabilities that keep your business connected and competitive in a digital-first world. Your WLR switch-off migration journey starts here Switching to an all-IP solution is easier than you think. We help you assess your current setup and craft a tailored plan for a smooth, seamless migration. Options include: FTTP & SOGEA: Super-fast dedicated internet for unbeatable connectivity IP Voice & Hosted Voice: Flexible, scalable telephony solutions for modern communication UC Applications: Boost collaboration across your team, anywhere, anytime SIP Trunking: Cost-effective, reliable connectivity that scales with your needs Future-proof your business today Migrating early minimises disruption and unlocks new operational efficiencies. An all-IP network offers smoother communication, advanced features, and easier management, so you stay ahead in today’s digital economy. Be prepared for the WLR switch-off Ready to make the switch? We’ve got the perfect resource to help you stay ahead: our visual quick guide on the Openreach switch-off schedule. It’s a simple, clear, and easy-to-follow overview that helps you understand the timeline and plan your migration effectively. Download the WLR Switch-off Guide now and get your WLR migration plan on track. Be proactive and secure your business’s future communications today! Visit wavenet.co.uk/pstn-switch-off for more information.

Read more

Stay service-savvy

Get all the latest news and insights straight to your inbox.