Independent guide: VoIP vs traditional phone systems for Wolverhampton businesses. Cloud VoIP, hosted PBX, SIP trunks vs PSTN landlines. Exp
The UK PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) switch-off is confirmed for December 2025. Every traditional landline in the UK — including every BT business line in Wolverhampton — will stop working and must be replaced with a VoIP or IP-based alternative. For WV businesses still on traditional phone systems, the decision is no longer whether to switch to VoIP, but when and which platform to choose.
WolverhamptonFibre, through Telexico Communications, supplies and configures hosted VoIP systems for Wolverhampton businesses as part of our connectivity packages. This guide explains the difference between VoIP technologies and helps you choose the right system for your WV business.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) transmits voice calls as digital data packets over your internet connection — rather than as analogue signals over dedicated copper phone lines. Modern hosted VoIP systems deliver call quality indistinguishable from traditional landlines, with additional features (call recording, mobile apps, hunt groups, auto-attendant) that legacy PSTN systems couldn't offer.
For Wolverhampton businesses, VoIP means: your existing business phone numbers move to an internet-based system. Calls are routed over your broadband connection. You can take and make calls on any device — desk phone, laptop, mobile. Extensions work from any location with internet access.
Hosted VoIP (Cloud PBX): the phone system lives in the cloud. You need desk phones or softphones and a broadband connection. No on-premises PBX hardware. Monthly per-user licensing. Best for most WV SMEs — simple, scalable, low upfront cost. Gamma Horizon, RingCentral, 8x8 and 3CX Cloud are common platforms we supply.
SIP Trunks: a SIP trunk connects your existing on-premises PBX to the internet, replacing traditional ISDN lines. If you have an existing PBX that's working well, SIP trunks extend its life and reduce call costs. Not suitable once you want to replace the PBX entirely.
BT's PSTN switch-off means all Openreach copper phone lines cease to function in December 2025. Any WV business still on ISDN or traditional analogue landlines must migrate before this date. The migration is mandatory — not optional.
We manage PSTN-to-VoIP migrations for Wolverhampton businesses. Your existing phone numbers transfer via number portability. Most businesses experience zero downtime — new system live before old lines are switched off.
VoIP quality depends on broadband quality. For crystal-clear calls: broadband latency under 50ms (gigabit FTTP delivers sub-5ms), jitter under 10ms and zero packet loss. QoS (Quality of Service) configuration on your router prioritises voice traffic over general internet use.
We configure QoS as part of every VoIP deployment for WV businesses. On gigabit FTTP, even 30 simultaneous calls consume only 3 Mbps — a tiny fraction of available bandwidth.
December 2025. All Openreach copper PSTN and ISDN lines cease to function. WV businesses must migrate to VoIP before this date.
Yes — number portability is managed as part of the migration. Your existing numbers transfer to the VoIP system.
Any modern broadband connection handles VoIP. Gigabit FTTP is ideal. Even 50 Mbps FTTC handles 10 simultaneous calls easily. The key requirement is low latency and consistent connection — which gigabit FTTP delivers.
Hosted VoIP typically costs £8–15/user/month depending on features. For a 10-person WV office, approximately £80–150/month total — often less than equivalent ISDN line rental.
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