Hosted VoIP from Crystaline

What is VoIP?

VoIP describes any voice call made over the internet. This could be a single application on a computer or a complex unified communications implementation that works across an entire office’s handsets, desktop and laptop computers and mobile devices.

With the rise of broadband, VoIP has become the definitive choice for business phone systems. There are several reasons why a business should invest in VoIP:

• Mobility — Enable staff to be contactable wherever they may be — office, home or travelling — from just one phone number
• Cost — With less hardware required, lower cost calling and simple per-user pricing, you could save up to 25 per cent in costs, compared to a legacy system
• Security — Software updates are sent out automatically to ensure devices always remain as secure as possible
• Flexibility — With VoIP, you only pay for the lines you need. Add and subtract extensions with only a few clicks and manage the system from anywhere with a connection.
• Simplicity — Get rid of bulky, complicated hardware for easier operations. Budgeting for staff and operation costs is much easier too.

• Cheaper alternatives – Modern telephony solutions require less hardware and are usually priced per-user. They also save money in the long term, as calls are cheaper and line rental is a thing of the past.
• Stay competitive –Businesses are looking for partners that make collaboration easier. If your competitors are making it easier for their partners and customers to get in touch, you need to be at least matching those services to stay competitive or you risk losing customers and partnerships. Consider that: 
  • 89 per cent of business leaders believe that customer experience will be their primary basis of competition.
  • 75 per cent of customers think calling is the most effective way to get a quick response — but 53 per cent are irritated if they don’t speak to a real person immediately

The PSTN switch off

Currently, the public switched telephone network (PSTN) supports several products from Openreach that are sold to businesses, including Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines. Depending on the size of your business, you could have either ISDN2 or ISDN30 lines.

BT will be switching off the current landline network, specifically the PSTN and the ISDN, in December 2025. Before then, businesses must find a replacement if they want to continue making and receiving calls.

All businesses still relying on the PSTN or ISDK will be affected by the switch off. You’ll therefore need to switch to a hosted telephony system. To do so, you’ll need to ensure your business has a business broadband solution to implement a hosted VoIP service.