VoIP or SIP – Which Alternative to ISDN Is Better for Your Business?

VoIP or SIP – Which Alternative to ISDN Is Better for Your Business? 

For some time now, copper-based telephone lines have started to be gradually phased out. Which means the ISDN complete switch off is coming soon. 

SIP trunking was first used to replace ISDN services. It’s a better technology, it’s cheaper, more flexible and it’s a great alternative to ISDN overall. 

But ISDN alternatives don’t stop at SIP. VoIP is probably the most popular solution to replace ISDN. And it’s an excellent alternative for many reasons. 

Here’s more about the two alternatives to ISDN, how they are different and how they can benefit your business. 

Or, if you’re in a rush and just want to get your business phone solution, tell us what you are looking for and get a quick quote. 

Quick facts about the ISDN switch off 

By 2025, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) will no longer be an option for businesses across the UK. 

While it was a revolutionary and reliable solution, ISDN can no longer compete with the newer, modern technologies and it will be switched off. 

In fact, after September 2023 you won’t be able to purchase ISDN lines anymore and there will be a forced migration phase between April and December 2025. 

But how could the ISDN switch off affect your business? By a number of ways: 

  • You could lose business. 
  • You could experience higher costs. 
  • You could lose time. 

At Radius Connect, we provide businesses with all the help they need to transition smoothly from ISDN and get the best hosted voice solutions. 

What are the differences between SIP and VoIP as ISDN alternatives?

SIP vs. VoIP isn’t necessarily a direct comparison. But explained in simple terms, VoIP is a technology that allows you to make and take calls over the internet, whereas SIP is a protocol that facilitates many voice calls. 

Both SIP and VoIP are used to transmit data over the internet. While all SIP is used to support VoIP, not all VoIP needs SIP technology to work. VoIP, on its own, can be used to make voice calls.  

But it needs SIP to support video conferencing, instant messaging, text and other multimedia communications. 

SIP as an alternative to ISDN 

SIP trunking is a quick transition from ISDN for any business with a compatible PBX switch. It’s one of the best ISDN alternatives as it’s cheaper, it offers more flexibility and control over your phone numbers and it’s quicker to install. 

What is SIP?

SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol and it’s a hosted solution for a telephone system. 

SIP connects the PBX (which is basically your business phone system) to the network via either broadband, ethernet or a private circuit. It can be either on premise or hosted. 

SIP does more than merely voice calling. It allows you to exchange messages, video, files and other forms of data over the internet. 

What are the main SIP benefits?

Switching to SIP trunking offers a more adaptable, less expensive and more resilient phone service. 

The main benefits for switching to SIP include: 

  • Save money on call costs and line rental. SIP means lower call charges due to the high competition between SIP trunk providers. Line rental and DID also cost less. 
  • Highly scalable. It’s easy to add new lines as your business grows (or remove some lines if your downsizing). There’s no need to install new lines and physical interfaces. 
  • Ensures business continuity. You will be well covered during the forced transition from ISDN period. Plus, if your office were to be relocated, it would be easy and cost-effective to take your phone lines with you. 
  • Flexibility when it comes to phone numbers. Because you are not bound to location, you can have the same phone number even if you relocate your office. You can call from any place, anywhere in the world. 

Interested in SIP for your business? Let’s find you the best solution! 

VoIP as an alternative to ISDN

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and it’s one of the most popular hosted telephony systems as an alternative to ISDN. 

VoIP works by changing voice into a data packet. It involves the cloud technology and it delivers all phone features over the internet. That means getting rid of on-premise hardware and removing phone lines. 

What are the main VoIP benefits?

It’s easy to future-proof your business communications with the many benefits of hosted VoIP: 

  • Switching to VoIP is easy. You’ll be able to keep your numbers and you’ll suffer very little disruption. 
  • Cost saving benefits. Depending on the provider you choose, you could have all UK local, national and mobile calls included in the package for free. Plus, there’s no expensive hardware to purchase. 
  • Flexibility and mobility. The technology is infinitely scalable and can grow with your business. You can connect from anywhere in the world using your laptop, mobile phone or tablet with software for VoIP. Also, VoIP makes work from home easy. 
  • CRM integration with the VoIP service. This is huge for productivity. You no longer need to enter data manually into different systems. It’s easier to organise information about your customers and easier to access it. 

Partnering with the right VoIP provider can unlock many benefits for your business. Contact us to find the best package to suit your business needs. 

Get the best alternative to ISDN now

As we mentioned above, SIP and VoIP can’t be directly compared, but it’s important to understand how they work and what role they play to support your business telecommunications. 

Based on your business needs, we can help you decide which option is the best one for your business. Whether you have simpler business needs or you require a more robust solution, at Radius Connect we have you covered. 

Get in touch with us today and our team of specialists will be happy to help.