Jola Cloud Solutions' Blog

All residential customers and businesses in the UK will need to find a replacement for their PSTN lines. Many will need to replace or upgrade their internet connectivity and consider VoIP applications.

Millions of PSTN lines won’t be able to use a SoGEA or FTTP type replacement, due to costs, incompatibility, or logistical challenges. Mobile data will be a requirement for many customers replacing PSTN.

There are a significant number of phone boxes in hospitals, supermarkets, and hotels. These allow you to book a taxi or receive information for free. All these call points need to be upgraded, as they will no longer work after the PSTN Switch-off.

How are Jola partners getting prepared?

Jola’s PSTN replacement packages are the perfect solution for MSPs, ISPs and resellers looking for a slick wholesale solution, managed end-to-end via a real-time fully API-integrated portal. Millions of telephone lines will take time to migrate and we are already seeing projects kicking off as companies wake up to the challenges and choices ahead. This is a great opportunity for partners.

Partners are helping end-users to understand when their phone lines will be switched off and proactively suggesting alternative solutions such as a range of fixed-line or mobile broadband connectivity options with a VoIP solution designed to meet their needs.

Where it is not practical to replace PSTN lines with fixed-line connectivity, Jola has helped partners to productise mobile data solutions. We offer a range of cellular routers with an integrated Analogue Telephone Adaptor (ATA), SIP Overlay service and calls over IP with a MultiNet SIM and pooled data across multiple sites. We’ve recently launched a cellular PSTN replacement router with ATA and integrated battery backup to comply with the Ofcom guidance with a single-box solution.

Where hardware and VoIP aren’t an option, Jola now has RoamNet Voice, a mobile solution designed to allow roaming on multiple networks, along with a UK mobile number. This is an excellent solution for lift-lines, alarm systems and other devices which require reliable mobile connectivity in a variety of locations.

All our solutions are easy to provision, support and bill. Our award-winning portals give partners complete control over their solutions from ordering to provisioning and management.

Many SMEs will leave it to the last minute but larger organisations have realised the potential scope of a PSTN/ISDN Replacement project and Jola partners are already seeing tenders from their flagship customers. As with many new technologies, organisations prefer to award these contracts to existing suppliers, but only if they can demonstrate the capability to deliver the entire project.

They usually require three types of IP solution 1) where ISDN and PSTN numbers need to be ported onto a fixed broadband or Ethernet connection 2) where existing numbers need to be ported onto a 4G/4G+/5G mobile broadband connection, and 3) where the requirement is for a mobile broadband connection but a landline number is not required and a 07x number is preferred.

Number porting in the UK is still not a fully matured process and early projects have run into difficulties where the reseller has tried to juggle a number of different suppliers.