If your business still uses a traditional landline or an older office phone system, now is the right time to start planning your move to VoIP.

The UK’s traditional phone network is being retired. The PSTN and ISDN switch-off is due to complete on 31 January 2027. After that date, older analogue and ISDN phone services will no longer be supported.

That might sound like a lot to manage. The good news is that moving to VoIP doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it’s a useful opportunity to update your business phone system, support flexible working and make it easier for your team to stay connected.

At EB IT Support, we provide VoIP phone systems for business from £24 per month, with flexible minute bundles and practical support from our friendly local team in Boston, Lincolnshire.

What is the PSTN and ISDN switch-off?

PSTN is the old public telephone network that has supported traditional landlines for decades. ISDN is an older digital phone service often used by office telephone systems.

Both technologies are being replaced with modern digital networks that use an internet connection. This includes VoIP, which means Voice over Internet Protocol. Put simply, VoIP allows you to make and receive business calls using your broadband connection instead of a traditional phone line.

The change is happening because the old network is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain. New digital services can offer clearer calls, more flexibility and useful features for modern businesses.

The UK Government’s guidance on the move from analogue to digital landlines explains that businesses may also need to review other equipment connected to their phone lines, including alarms, fax machines, payment terminals and lift phones.

So this isn’t only about replacing handsets. It’s about checking how your business uses its phone lines and making sure everything continues to work.

Why move to VoIP now?

You don’t need to wait until the deadline is close. Starting early gives you time to understand your options, test the new system and move your existing numbers with less pressure.

A modern VoIP phone system can help you:

• Keep your existing business numbers : we can manage number porting as part of the migration.
• Support hybrid and remote working : your team can use desktop and mobile apps as well as desk phones.
• Handle calls more professionally : features can include call queues, voicemail, call groups and menus.
• Scale more easily : adding a new user or extension is usually much simpler than installing another physical line.
• Stay connected if staff work away from the office : calls can follow the user to an approved device or location.
• Understand your call activity : reporting and call analytics can help you review performance and customer service.
• Reduce reliance on ageing equipment : a cloud-based system can remove the need for a large on-site telephone installation.

It can be especially helpful for Lincolnshire businesses with staff working across Boston, Spalding, Skegness, Sleaford, Lincoln and surrounding villages.

5 easy steps to move your business to VoIP

1. Make a list of your current phone services

Start with a simple audit. Write down every phone number, handset and device your business uses.

Include:

• Main business numbers
• Direct lines and extensions
• Reception phones
• Fax machines
• Alarm systems
• Door entry systems
• Card payment terminals
• Lift or emergency phones
• Broadband services connected to traditional copper lines

You may not know whether a service uses PSTN, ISDN or another type of connection. That’s completely fine. Your current provider or an IT and telecoms specialist can help you check.

Also note how many people need to make calls at the same time. This will help you choose a suitable plan and minute bundle.

Don’t unplug anything yet. The first step is simply understanding what you have.

2. Decide how your team needs to work

Think about what your business needs from its next phone system.

Do customers need to reach a reception team? Do calls need to ring several people at once? Do staff work from home or travel between sites? Would it help to have a voicemail-to-email service or a simple menu directing callers to the right person?

You might want:

• Desk phones for your office
• Mobile apps for staff working away from the premises
• Desktop apps for home workers
• Call queues for busy periods
• Call groups for shared departments
• Call recording or reporting
• Video meetings and screen sharing
• A backup route if your office broadband stops working

There isn’t one perfect setup for every business. A small independent shop may need only a main number and a few extensions. A growing office may benefit from managed call handling, reporting and support.

The important thing is to choose a system around the way you work, rather than paying for features you won’t use.

3. Check your broadband and backup options

VoIP calls travel over your internet connection, so reliable broadband is important.

This doesn’t mean you need the most expensive package. It does mean your connection should be suitable for the number of calls, computers and online services your business uses at the same time.

We can help you review:

• Download and upload speeds
• Connection reliability
• WiFi coverage around your premises
• Network equipment
• The number of simultaneous calls you’re likely to make
• Backup options using mobile data

For rural businesses around Lincolnshire, connectivity can sometimes be less straightforward. Our business broadband service can help you explore more reliable options, including fibre and suitable solutions for areas that have previously struggled with poor connections.

It’s also sensible to consider what happens during a power cut or broadband fault. Your provider may be able to configure call forwarding or mobile failover, while a battery backup can help keep essential equipment running for a period of time.

4. Choose your VoIP system and plan the migration

Once you know what you need, you can compare suitable VoIP options.

At EB IT Support, our VoIP phone systems start from £24 per month, with flexible bundles from 500 to 5,000 minutes. You can use professional desk phones, mobile apps, desktop software or a mixture that suits your team.

We can also help with:

• Choosing the right number of users and extensions
• Selecting desk phone hardware
• Setting up call groups and menus
• Moving your existing business numbers
• Configuring voicemail and call routing
• Checking compatibility with your current equipment
• Connecting suitable business applications
• Planning a smooth changeover

Our VoIP setup includes configuration, number porting and training for a one-off setup fee of £20, according to the current service details. We’ll explain the costs clearly before any work begins, so you know what to expect.

If your existing phones are SIP-compatible, they may be reusable. In other cases, modern handsets or apps may be the better option. We’ll give you straightforward advice in plain English.

5. Test everything before you switch off the old service

A good migration should feel controlled, not rushed.

Before the final changeover, test the parts of your system that matter most. Check that you can make and receive calls, that your main number displays correctly and that calls reach the right people.

You should also test:

• Call transfers
• Voicemail
• Call queues
• Out-of-hours messages
• Mobile and desktop apps
• Call forwarding
• Alarms and monitoring equipment
• Card payment terminals
• Door entry systems
• Emergency contact arrangements

Tell your team what is changing and give them a chance to practise. A short training session can make a big difference, especially for anyone who isn’t confident with new technology.

We’ll help you understand the new system without jargon, and we’ll be available if you have questions after it goes live. The aim is for your customers to notice better service, not a confusing change behind the scenes.

Is VoIP right for your business?

For many small and medium-sized businesses, VoIP is a practical way to modernise communications before the PSTN and ISDN switch-off.

It can give you more freedom to work from different locations, make it easier to add staff and provide helpful features without installing lots of traditional phone lines.

However, every business is different. You may have older equipment, specialist alarms, poor broadband or several services linked to one telephone line. That’s why a proper review matters.

The BT Business guide to the PSTN switch-off also highlights that devices such as alarms, lift lines, point-of-sale machines and other equipment may need to be checked before moving to an IP-based service.

You don’t have to work it all out alone.

We can handle your VoIP migration from start to finish

At EB IT Support, we support businesses across Boston and Lincolnshire with friendly, practical technology services. We can assess your current setup, recommend an appropriate VoIP system, arrange number porting, configure your users and help your team get comfortable with the change.

You’ll have one local point of contact instead of trying to coordinate several providers. We’ll explain what’s happening, keep pricing transparent and make sure the solution makes sense for your business.

The 31 January 2027 deadline may feel some way off, but planning now gives you more choice and less stress.

Ready to talk through your options? Contact EB IT Support for a friendly, no-obligation conversation about VoIP phone systems for business. You can also call us on 01205 627240 or email [email protected].