As we draw ever closer to the big switch-off, through which communications will be migrated from PSTN (public switched telephone networks) to an all-IP network by 2025. This means that the machines of yesteryear will be consigned to the technological graveyard – perhaps most tragically of all, the fax machine!
Those of a certain age may feel downhearted at the loss of the humble fax machine, and old desk phones, Microsoft teams phone as well as other types of PSTN technology, but technology is something that constantly strives for better connectivity options. Progress is something to be celebrated, with COVID-19 revealing the limitations of a PSTN system when it comes to users working from remote offices.
It might seem like a headache when the time arises to migrate from the tried, tested and trusted PSTN network, but it’s more accessible and more straightforward than it may sound. Furthermore, it’s benefits are less expensive to maintain for the domestic and organization caller and certainly more reliable than previous telephone network telecommunication technologies.
Switch To Direct Routing
Migrating from one system to another is relatively straightforward, with Microsoft Teams direct routing allowing you to switch to the all-IP network with ease and without hassle. Direct Routing with Microsoft Teams will enable you to use your own PSTN (public switched telephone network) carrier by connecting your Session Border Controller (SBC) to the customers phone system.
Microsoft Teams is also generally quite versatile, which means that more complex systems and unique business requirements like audio conferencing, international calling plans and call forwarding can be catered for differences and adapted accordingly. There are a variety of options which allow you peace of mind for any organization in times of significant change.
Naturally, this time of great change brings considerable opportunity for your business, too, whether that is with regard to liaising with employees, receive calls, making a sale to a prospective customer, or even giving a pitch to a potential investor. The big switch-off allows us to become more integrated and visible in how we communicate.
With video calling technologies and services now at the forefront of how we communicate, it reminds us that we have nothing to fear when technology evolves. In fact, the solution makes many things more manageable in that you can read body language and facial expressions, whereas the telephone alone has its obvious one size limitations in that department.
After 150 Years…What Now?
BT Openreach has actually already begun work on the old copper wires, with the big switch-off looming ever closer. It seems crazy to think that the PSTN connectivity option (public switched telephone network) system has been in place since the 1800s, and in many ways, it seems sad that we are saying goodbye to such an incredible and historically significant technology.
As a number of homes, businesses, organizations and different users move onto the digital network, however, it’s worth considering our progress. One can only imagine the progress we will have made in this area over the next 150 years or so.
As mentioned, Microsoft Teams makes adapting to this new change an absolute doddle, allowing for lower-cost telecommunications, phone calls, international calls, faster connection speeds even enable PSTN calling on mobile devices and all-in-one cloud-based telephony. Once you’ve made the switch, you’ll wonder how you managed before.
Given the state of things in countries like the UK right now, in which everything costs the earth and takes forever, the fact we are efficiently improving in this regard is something to be celebrated.
