Copper lines are getting their redundancy notice
What you can do when the BT Copper lines switch to Fibre
Ever since 1891, an ever-expanding spider’s web of copper cables that form the UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) has allowed users to connect to anyone anywhere in the world. It has served us well, but in four years’ time, most of these lines will go silent.
Right now, teams of Openreach engineers are working to replace our copper telephone network with fibre optic light-transmitting cables and finish the landline for good. The plan is that from December 31, 2025, landlines for homes and businesses in the UK will only continue to work if they are connected to the internet.
What does this mean for your business’s telephony?
Some businesses are panicking about this switch over, but there is no need to. Fibre connectivity transmits data quicker, has fewer reliability issues and gives users more flexibility because of its breadth and speed. This means you can do more with your service, including cloud computing, video conferencing, internet phone calls, etc.
A major benefit of fibre connectivity is that it opens up the choice of various phone systems for your business. Your best move is to get professional advice on the optimal system for your business based on your current and projected telephone requirements. HPN will of course be happy to help. In general terms your potential options include VoIP, Cloud PBX and SIP. Let’s examine each in turn:
- VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) – this system uses the internet to provide your phone system. It provides a quick, low cost and scalable telephony solution for businesses of any size. While you don't need a phone line to implement VoIP, you will need a reliable internet connection. Our HPN engineers can test the speed and stability of your internet connection to assess if it can support VoIP. Once it is set up, you can make calls from your desktop PC, laptop, mobile apps and tablet.
- Cloud PBX – hosted in the cloud and run over the internet, Cloud PBX provides a secure, reliable, scalable and cost-effective telephone system for both SMEs and larger organisations. It delivers numerous functions via mobile, computer and desk phone, including calls, email, SMS, screen sharing, video calling, file transferring and more.
- SIP – this is the ideal solution for SMEs that wish to keep their existing telephone set up using SIP Trunking service. This lets you to future-proof your business use your existing equipment to transition into an internet-powered telephone network. It provides free on-net calls between departments, is low cost and easy to move or divert fixed lines anywhere.
If you are confused about any of the technical matters discussed here, don’t worry, you’re probably not alone. Why not call me, Paul Hagan, or any member of the HPN team on 028 9053 8411. We’ll be happy to examine your current set up and discuss your various options in plain straight-forward, jargon-free English. We look forward to talking to you.