In the Evoke January newsletter we provided a comprehensive guide to the 2025 digital switchover. We are aware that subsequently many of you are being increasingly bombarded with telesales calls from alternative providers insisting that you must upgrade to SIP immediately to avoid putting your business at risk. Here is a quick re-cap and latest updates on this key topic.
BT has announced the phasing out of the ISDN and PSTN networks with ALL businesses to migrate to IP networks by 2025.
SIP Trunking is already the recognised alternative to PSTN and ISDN lines for delivering IP technology (some people refer to this as VOIP lines) – allowing you to run voice and data over a secure internet connection rather than multiple fixed lines. By using virtual rather than physical phone lines, SIP allows for better flexibility, scalability and a large reduction in costs.
In order to run SIP Trunking, you need to have high quality superfast broadband in place as a minimum.
So, where are BT now on their journey to an all-digital UK infrastructure?
- Two trials proposed by Openreach (Openreach are owned by BT but are a separate company within the group) will prepare the industry for the switch to all-IP tech says the infrastructure provider.
- In what Openreach calls a ‘hugely complex task’ the upgrade of customers onto full fibre broadband and digital voice services in Salisbury and Mildenhall will set the stage for a wider migration across the UK ahead of the withdrawal of wholesale products and services that run over the traditional telephone network.
- Openreach intends to work with network and service providers (such as BT, Sky and TalkTalk) to build out the project into other regions.
- Openreach expects four million homes and businesses to have access to its FTTP (Fibre to the premises broadband) service by April 2021 (This will eventually replace FTTC broadband which still relies on copper/traditional cabling for the last mile from the BT cabinet to the customer or business premises).
- In October we will hear more from Openreach following the results of a consultation which ran until 31st July 2019. The next update will provide more trial details and timescales.
Interestingly there has been some backlash from the UK Telecom’s industry following Boris Johnson’s full-fibre internet pledge, which essentially is only in line with the published timelines committed to by BT in 2018.
There are four key problems causing delays, all of which must be resolved “within the next 12 months” to achieve the high-speed internet goal.
Planning reform – at present telecom providers need to get a type of permission known as a “wayleave agreement” to get access to land and buildings to install cables. But in many cases property owners are unresponsive. The industry wants ministers to force landlords to provide access if a tenant has requested a full-fibre or other connection be installed. At Evoke, we rarely come across this issue but when we do, by working closely with landlords and solicitors we tend to get this easily resolved.
Fibre tax – the so-called tax refers to the fact that fibre infrastructure currently has business rates applied to it, just like other commercial property. The industry claims this discourages investment and should be rethought
New builds – the government has carried out a consultation into whether new-build home developments must incorporate gigabit-capable internet connections but has yet to publish its response. In the meantime, the industry says too many new homes are still being developed without provision for fibre broadband
Skills – many engineers will be required to carry out all the work involved. BT and Virgin Media have previously warned that Brexit could result in labour shortages. The industry says more money must be committed to training, and it must also be allowed to continue to “compete for global talent”
Openreach, which maintains the UK’s digital network infrastructure, said it welcomed the government’s ambition but warned: “Upgrading the entire UK network is a major civil engineering challenge.”
Evoke Telecom’s ‘Call to Action’
Here at Evoke Telecom we have a wide range of internet broadband connectivity products available from basic ADSL circuits right the way through to high bandwidth dedicated internet circuits. We supply available services from the UK’s top providers including BT, Gamma, TalkTalk and Virgin. So, if you are concerned that your current service might not be the best that you can receive, or perhaps isn’t as keenly priced as you feel it might be – then give us a call! What is more, the prices of private dedicated circuits are really starting to come down to very affordable levels. Might a private circuit be the answer that you are looking for?
So, if you would like a free check of what connectivity and internet access services are available in your area why not give our super helpful team a call on 01509 278278 or whizz them a line at [email protected] ~ we will be delighted to help.
For our existing customers, we will continue to work with you to ensure you are able to benefit from the very best, high quality services available in your area, at the right time for you and for your budget/infrastructure. If you are concerned about any aspect of this topic or if you haven’t had the opportunity to talk to one of the team yet about your digital roadmap, then please do not hesitate to give us a call at your convenience.
Image credits:
- Main image : Riick
- Boris Johnson : Andrew Parsons/ i-Images
- Roadworks : Kai Hendry
