ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) phone system interfaces are rapidly being phased out in favour of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) systems. It is expected that ISDN interfaces will all be decommissioned by 2022 as more and more service providers switch off the network. This means that many businesses are migrating their systems to SIP trunks. However, most companies in the industry often opt to use the more straightforward but arguably less desirable method of going about this migration, leaving the outdated ISDN system in place and building on it. Here at EvotecHLS, however, we ensure that your phone system is updated using the best method available. To do so, we remove the old system and connect the new system directly, resulting in more flexibility and less chance for failure.
Why Make the Switch at All?
The cause for the mass migration away from ISDN is not hard to understand when one looks at the benefits of using SIP. ISDN utilizes copper wires and a split system for phone and data, a system that, while better than an analogue landline, is outdated and expensive. SIP trunking is a modern system that utilizes the internet for both phone and data and does not require any additional equipment or hardware. This means that it is both cheaper and easier to install and maintain. It makes it easier to ensure that you pay only for what you need, and because there is no reliance on a traditional telephone network, disasters do not impact service in the same way. All these factors create a strongly growing preference for SIP trunking.
What Most Service Providers Do
As mentioned previously, most service providers in the industry such as Telstra are also working on switching their clients' phone systems to SIP interfaces. However, their methods typically have several downsides which can be avoided. These providers will provide a SIP Network Termination Unit (NTU), which converts the SIP into an ISDN legacy unit instead of taking full advantage of SIP trunks’ modern system. This method means that the migration does not require the PABx provider to change any programming, since the old ISDN connection is used. While this process is certainly quicker and may work for some clients, it does not take full advantage of the capabilities that SIP can provide. In addition, the SIP NTU creates an unnecessary fail point, creating a less reliable telephone system.
How We Approach Things Differently
Here at EvotecHLS, we do not simply build atop the old ISDN connection. Instead, we decommission the ISDN and connect the SIP directly with a Session Boarder Controller. Removing the ISDN means that our clients are not tied to a media converter or physical location, increasing flexibility and reducing less risk and recovery time in the event of a disaster. While this process might be more complex from the point of perspective of the PABx provider, it provides several benefits for the client. Our product, the Openscape 4000, is an enterprise-grade PABx that uses an enterprise-grade SIP connection to provide better quality service. Our approach also removes the fail point created by the SIP NTU through the migration method favoured by our competitors. Removing the SIP NTU aspect further broadens your choices for a SIP provider as well, given that there are many more options available for true SIP trunks as compared to the SIP NTU.
We approach the migration to SIP as an opportunity for our clients to optimize the service they are receiving while cutting costs as much as possible. The switch to a SIP trunk is a chance to reduce equipment and upkeep costs as compared to the ISDN system. In addition, the OpenScape 4000 itself also has several unique features which can further increase cost savings for your firm. Many of our clients have a central office, where their network’s core resides. With a proper system migration, trunks from smaller, side locations can be consolidated to the central location, leveraging existing WAN / SDWAN to provide VOIP connections. This process can save you thousands in costs that would otherwise be spent on these side trunks.
Ultimately, we are here to provide for you and ensure that you are aware of all the migration options available to you. If there is a better solution for you and your business, we will find it for you. If your PABx provider opted for the easy route of using a SIP NTU or other media converter, limiting your options and degrading your service, do not be afraid to ask them why. If you have any questions about what a SIP trunk can do for you or how we can help you with it, feel free to reach out to us. Why settle for reliance on an outdated network - work with us on your SIP migration today.
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