In the realm of telecoms, change is inevitable, and adaptation is key to staying connected in an ever-evolving digital landscape. One significant transformation on the horizon is the planned switch-off of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a move that will have profound implications for businesses and consumers alike. As the traditional copper-based infrastructure makes way for newer technologies, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony, it's essential to understand what this transition entails and how embracing VoIP can help you stay ahead in the digital age.
In 2021 a regulatory change allowed carriers to introduce surcharges where the originating CLI is out-of-country.
A simple example of this is placing a call to a UK Geographic number from an Australian Geographic number.
The terminating carrier may choose to apply a surcharge that is in pence-per-minute and additional to the regular termination rate.
Openreach - The major network supplier of Telephone Line and Broadband services to ISPs are increasing their pricing on some products. The older style WLR3 based services (copper) will see prices increase in what Openreach describe and the motivator to move users to their newer technologies (SOGEA and FTTP).
Please check your portals for the latest tariff increases.
WLR Care Level Price Increases
Firstly, DONT PAINIC! You may well have heard of plans to close the PSTN. To be specific, we are talking about the withdrawal of Openreach based WLR and ISDN services, as the PSTN marches on towards its grave and an ‘All IP’ future is realised. We mentioned this 2 years ago but now is the time to prepare.1
Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SoGEA) is a new Openreach product which enables providers to order FTTC products without a phone line. Other Single Order Transitional Access Product (SOTAP) products are available for ADSL2+ (SoADSL) and G.Fast (SoGFAST) product variants.
Homes and businesses currently connect to Openreach’s infrastructure using WLR (Wholesale Line Rental) and then add broadband as an additional service on top. Most ISPs will bundle these together as packages by default but you can pick and choose if you please.
The RIPE NCC is the EMEA Regional Internet Registry (RIR) providing global Internet resources and related services (IPv4, IPv6 and AS Number resources). RIPE very recently (03/10/19) advised after years or prior warnings that the IPv4 addressing is expected to be completely exhausted in the coming months.[1]
The VoiceHost core network has operated IPv6 for many years but now our broadband users can leverage the power of IPv6 too.
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) is simply the automation of call routing from basic inputs such as keypad tones (DTMF) or speech. IVRs are a vital addition to your call handling capabilities.
If implemented intelligently, IVRs can strengthen your customer care and save you money by improving workflows.
The EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) is European legislation that has been designed to try and harmonise data privacy laws across Europe, to protect and empower all EU citizens data privacy and to reshape the way organisations across the EU approach data privacy.
The GDPR comes into force on 25 May 2018 and introduces an enhanced EU-wide data protection regime that will have a direct effect on member states and any companies established outside the EU who wish to trade with and within the EU.
IP telephony (Internet Protocol telephony) is a general term used to describe voice and fax using the Internet Protocol. It's used interchangeably with the other mainstream telecoms acronyms VoIP and UC. This form of digital communication is much more efficient and resilient than SS7. The PSTN (The aggregate of telecommunications networks) is moving to digital IP based technologies and by 2025 the PSTN with the United Kingdom should be completely IP based.[1]