The traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is becoming obsolete, and countries around the world are phasing out this technology in favour of digital communication platforms. In the United Kingdom, the PSTN switch-off is expected to take place by 2025. Evolve, As a Managed Networks Solution Provider company offering Business Connectivity, Guest Wi-Fi, and SD-WAN solutions, it is essential that we help businesses prepare for this switch-off to ensure that your business operations are not disrupted. This whitepaper provides a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for the PSTN switch-off.
Understanding the PSTN switch-off
The PSTN switch-off is the process of discontinuing the use of traditional landline phone systems and transitioning to modern digital communication platforms such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Unified Communications (UC), and Cloud Communications. This transition is driven by several factors, including the cost-effectiveness of digital communication systems, their flexibility, and their ability to support new features and applications.
Preparing for the PSTN switch-off
- Review your current phone system
The first step in preparing for the PSTN switch-off is to review your current phone system. This involves assessing the number of phone lines, extensions, and features your business currently uses. This information will help you identify the features and functionality that are critical to your business operations.
- Determine your business’s needs
After reviewing your current phone system, the next step is to determine your business’s needs. This involves identifying the communication channels that are critical to your business operations. For example, if your business relies heavily on voice communication, you may need a system that supports high-quality voice calls. Alternatively, if your business relies on video conferencing, you may need a system that supports high-quality video calls. This generally requires higher-quality business connectivity solutions, which we here at Evolve can offer.
- Research available digital communication platforms
Once you have determined your business needs, the next step is to research available digital communication platforms. There are many digital communication platforms available, and each has its own unique features and functionalities. You should consider factors such as cost, scalability, reliability, and security when evaluating digital communication platforms. We are happy to help consult on this if needed and have sister companies that can provide further support.
- Choose the right digital communication platform
After researching available digital communication platforms, the next step is to choose the right platform for your business. You should consider factors such as the platform’s compatibility with your existing systems, its scalability, its features, and its support options. You should also consider the platform’s migration process and ensure that it aligns with your business needs.
- Develop a migration plan
Once you have chosen the right digital communication platform, the next step is to develop a migration plan. This involves identifying the necessary steps required to migrate from your current phone system to the new digital communication platform. You should consider factors such as the migration timeline, the cost of the migration, and the impact of the migration on your business operations.
- Train your employees
The final step in preparing for the PSTN switch-off is to train your staff. This involves educating them on the new digital communication platform and its features and functionality. You should ensure that your employees are comfortable using the new system before the PSTN switch-off.
The PSTN switch-off is an inevitable transition, and Evolve as a Managed Network Solutions provider offering Business Connectivity, Guest Wi-Fi, and SD-WAN solutions, understands it is essential to prepare everyone for this change. By reviewing your current phone system, determining your business needs, researching available digital communication platforms, choosing the right platform, developing a migration plan, and training your employees, you can ensure a smooth transition to the new digital communication platform.
