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Stop Sell September

by with No Comment AnnouncementsIndustry NewsNewsUpdate

Whilst there’s a chance of sounding repetitive, it’s essential to highlight the forthcoming PSTN stop sell. The PSTN, or Public Switched Telephone Network, has served as the backbone of our telephone and broadband connections in the UK for many years. However, its days are numbered, and a transition away from it is on the horizon. Although the complete switch-off won’t occur until 2025, significant changes are just around the corner and these will affect you at the office and at home.

It’s all change

The initial phase of the PSTN switch-off involves the stop sell of services that rely on the network. This means traditional analogue telephone services (landlines) and broadband services like ADSL and FTTC will no longer be available.

You might think, “We’ve heard this all before,” and you’d be right. However, as the PSTN stop sell date approaches, it’s essential to grasp the implications.

No New Sales

For those seeking a new broadband or telephone connection, whether you’re changing providers, renewing your contract, or relocating, you’ll no longer be able to purchase any service that utilises the copper telephone network. This includes standard broadband and fibre to the cabinet options, as well as landline telephone connections.

No Changes

Even if you’re already using copper-based broadband or telephone services, making changes to your existing plan will become impossible. That means no speed upgrades or switching to a different provider. Furthermore, repairs on the copper network will decrease, potentially leaving you without service in case of a significant fault.

What else could be affected?

If you’re relying on services tied to the PSTN, such as connected alarms and CCTV, be prepared for potential disruptions. These services will need to be transitioned to the new all-digital network infrastructure.

Thankfully, service providers like Deep Blue have been diligently working to make the transition from copper services as seamless as possible. Our advanced connections utilise the UK’s fibre network and will keep you connected long after the PSTN is retired. Additionally, you’ll have access to a new form of telephony known as Digital Voice, which leverages VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology for internet-based phone calls.

If you haven’t received information about upgrading your services or want to explore your options further, call our team on 0333 240 9100 and explore Deep Blue’s broadband and Digital Voice pages. Embracing the transition now will ensure you continue to enjoy reliable and up-to-date communication services.

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Time is ticking to make the switch!

by with One Comment NewsTipsUpdate

As technology advances, the traditional phone network is undergoing a major transformation. The way we used to make a call will soon come to an end as we switch to a fully digital network offering all-IP, fibre-based services.

This will affect you both in business and at home.

Here are five compelling reasons why you should already be considering making the switch.

Customer Experience

Don’t let the impending switch-off leave your business disconnected! Take action now to safeguard your existing phone number and brand identity, which customers have come to recognise and trust.

Reliability

As the switch-off looms ahead, it is imperative to make the move to Digital Voice. Harness the power of modern fast fibre broadband, guaranteeing flawless, high-quality calls while eliminating the risks of manual failures. Act swiftly and secure crystal-clear communication.

Flexibility

Deep Blue’s advanced solutions empower you to take your business with you, providing a wide array of features to enhance your communication capabilities. From user management, allowing you to efficiently handle and customise your team’s communication settings, to call logging that ensures comprehensive records for future reference, Deep Blue has you covered.

Cost-effectiveness

Future-proof your communication infrastructure while maximising your budget, enabling your business to thrive in the digital age.

Scalability

Say goodbye to the complexities of physical infrastructure adjustments. With the flexibility of digital telephony, you can instantly scale up or down to accommodate your evolving communication requirements.

By adopting these solutions, you can enhance your business communication and collaboration, enabling your employees to perform their jobs more efficiently. This, in turn, fosters increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Discover the benefits of business communications from Deep Blue and find the right solution for your business by calling our team on 0333 240 9100.

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Full fibre rollout – an update from Deep Blue

by with No Comment Industry NewsNewsProducts & ServicesUpdate

With technology moving at an unprecedented pace, staying ahead of the curve is vital for businesses to thrive. This is especially true of telecoms, where users demand faster, more reliable, and future-proof services. That’s why Deep Blue are working hard to move our customers onto full fibre and SoGEA broadband.

The PSTN switch off

Openreach has been planning to switch off its legacy network, including the PSTN and ISDN, for some time now. The switch-off is currently scheduled for December 2025, and this means that businesses need to start preparing for the change sooner rather than later.

At Deep Blue, we believe that the switch-off presents an opportunity for businesses to future-proof and get the most from their telecoms. That’s why we’ve been encouraging our customers to make the switch to full fibre and SOGEA services. These services not only offer faster speeds and greater reliability, but are increasingly more cost effective than their legacy counter parts.

What are we doing to assist our customers?

We’ve already moved a number of our customers onto these services, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive; with improved performance and reliability, as well as cost savings. They’ve also appreciated the peace of mind that comes with knowing that they have made the move ahead of the rush as we approach the big switch off.

For those still on ADSL and FTTC we are in the process of contacting sites that can move to start the upgrade process. The next batch of upgrades is booked for the end of May and emails for those we hope to move in June will be going out shortly.

Do you need to do anything?

You do not need to do anything as we will contact you to arrange the migration process, however, if you don’t want to wait and would like to request a move sooner then you can contact a member of the team at theteam@deepbluetelecom.co.uk or on 0333 240 9100.

In Summary

The switch-off of the PSTN and ISDN networks presents a great opportunity for businesses. Full fibre and SOGEA services offer faster speeds, greater reliability, and future-proofing, they can also lead to significant cost savings. At Deep Blue, we’ve already moved a number of our customers onto these services, and we believe that they are the way forward for businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve.

A message from the Captain

by with No Comment Captain CommsLocalNews

Well, the day arrived on Sunday last, and the weather was kind for the Mascot Gold Cup. This message is to say a very big THANK YOU to the 30 fans who made the trip to the races to cheer on our Superhero, Captain Comms, and particularly to the donations received for our chosen charity: Martin House Children’s Hospice. We set a target of £500, and I’m pleased to say we smashed that figure by raising just shy of £800.

Our Sue Ryder Mascot Gold Cup 2023 page was one of the most successful JustGiving pages last month. Out of thousands of fundraisers, we were in the top 20%. Congratulations to each and every-one of you for raising so much for Martin House Hospice for Children and Young People – you are absolute heroes.

Hero on parade!

So, to the day itself. 81 mascots entered which started with The Mascots Parade, view the parade here. Then some horses did their thing for a couple of races before the Mascot Gold Cup, the highlight of the day. You can see how the race played out here.

Raring to go!

Unfortunately our hero, Captain Comms, was given a massive handicap and was told in no uncertain terms by the race officials that he was not allowed to use any of his super-powers. More like slow, buffering internet rather that the superfast speed the Captain is used to delivering. However, like the gallant hero he is, a top ten finish when last off the blocks was more than commendable. So well done to the thoroughbred inside the costume who took over from the original knackered pit pony!!!

If only he could have used his super powers!

Once again, many thanks for your wonderful support and very best regards,

Ross (on behalf of our superhero, The Captain Comms)

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The phone is at the heart of customer communications

by with No Comment LocalNewsTips

In today’s digital world, we expect outstanding customer experience.

For businesses, the telephone is the first point of contact for customers. Missed calls literally mean missing out on new business.

A VoIP solution can help businesses manage calls better so that even when a call is missed, you can effectively get back to the customer and work more efficiently:

  • 66% of customers still prefer voice interactions over digital ones
  • Without effective call management tools, micro-businesses risk losing customers
  • A VoIP solution has all the features of a traditional landline, and so much more
  • A VoIP solution supports voice calls over the internet, minimising disruption to your phone line.

Make and receive calls anytime, anywhere

Businesses are too often tied to a desk phone, having to make a run for it every time the phone rings. With more and more businesses embracing mobility and remote working, it’s critical to have a system that works on any device, anywhere and at any time:

  • Having access to a phone system wherever you are is critical
  • VoIP solutions use the internet connection to make calls, meaning they can be deployed anywhere
  • As cloud-based, VoIP solutions can be downloaded on a variety of devices, including laptops, tablets or mobile phones
  • Business owners and employees don’t have to worry about being in the store or the office to answer calls.

With the upcoming switch off, the chances are you are already thinking about making the change.

This is the gradual process of shifting from an analogue phone line to a digital line, which is made over an internet connection. The Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) will both be switched off completely by 2025, with stop sell already taking place.

This means both businesses and homeowners will shift to digital voice rather than traditional phone lines, which are carried over copper wiring.

The good news is that the switch-off will allow cheaper, higher-quality phone calls throughout the UK.

Forget missed business, manage costs and make the switch. Call the team at Deep Blue on 0333 240 9100.

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Latest postal strikes that may cause possible delays in our deliveries

by with No Comment Industry NewsNews

Royal Mail workers have announced further strike dates which could mean delays in our deliveries.

When will these take place?

14th December

15th December

23rd December

24th December

How does this affect you?

Royal Mail state they will be doing all that they can to keep services running, but customers can expect significant disruption. There will also be a notable impact on the delivery services in the days following the industrial action due to the backlog that it will create.

What to expect


As always, we are working closely with our third-party providers to mitigate impacts where it may be possible, but unfortunately, there could be delivery delays during and after the industrial action.

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Four reasons why your business needs full fibre

by with No Comment LocalNewsProducts & Services

For most businesses, an internet connection is an absolute must. From communicating with customers to staying in touch with colleagues or accessing files and applications in the cloud, being online is more important than ever.

But if you’re currently using an old-fashioned copper connection or fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), you might be wondering what all the fuss around full fibre is about and whether you need to bother upgrading.

Here are four good reasons why your business might need full fibre.

1. Reliability

Full fibre connections are generally much more reliable than those that depend on the old copper telephone network. With fibre optic cable running all the way from the exchange to your home or office, you won’t suffer from the same signal loss that blights copper and you should expect your service to work flawlessly for the vast majority of the time.

When being connected is vital – and it usually is – you need a connection you can rely on.

2. Better bandwidth

The world has moved on. That connection that gave your business everything it needed ten years ago is probably no longer up to the task.

As businesses, we’re uploading and downloading more data than ever, our people need a fast, reliable connection, we’re video calling throughout the working day and we need access to our cloud-based office applications.

For a single user, an FTTC connection might suffice, but for busy or growing offices – or those that need the best speed available – full fibre presents a more compelling choice.

3. Communications

If you’re not sure why a full fibre connection is so important for voice communications, we’ve covered that in more detail here.

As the Great British Switch Off takes effect, businesses will need to replace traditional PSTN and ISDN connections. Thankfully, full fibre will provide better quality and a host of additional features to take business communications to another level.

4. Future proof

As the UK relentlessly marches toward full fibre connectivity, simultaneously switching off copper connections, a full fibre connection is a great investment for the future.

It’s coming to us all at some point but getting on board now can make the transition over the next couple of years (as traditional connections are withdrawn) much easier.

Are you ready to make the leap to full fibre? Call 0333 240 9100 or email theteam@deepbluetelecom.co.uk and request more information.

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More strike action planned

by with No Comment Industry NewsNews

BT and Openreach’s workforce announce the latest strike action is to take place on; Thursday 6 October, Monday 10 October, Thursday 20 October and Monday 24 October 2022. The strike will involve a number of Openreach frontline engineers and support staff.

What does this mean for you?

BT and Openreach have confirmed that they have tried and tested plans and processes in place to help them deal with the impacts of reductions in their available workforce.

The response from BT and Openreach, remains the same in they are confident that they have put in place the right measures to minimise disruption to customers where possible.

We will continue to monitor the situation by working closely with BT and Openreach, communicating any further updates if and when they occur.

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What is VoIP and how will it impact your home phone service?

by with No Comment News

The Great British Switch-Off.

What is it and how does it work?

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) simply refers to the future of landline services shifting over to digital technology. This will allow you to make telephone calls over an internet connection and will include built-in features such as a voicemail service, call divert and call waiting. For traditional landline users, your existing telephone handset will need to be connected to your internet router for seamless service.

Why are we moving from the traditional landline?

Currently, the UK is slowly withdrawing the old copper network and moving everyone to digital only. By replacing old-fashioned phone lines with electric cables, calls will be made over the internet providing a more cost-efficient option than traditional wiring.

What is the big landline switch-off?

The pandemic has highlighted that we rely on the internet more than ever. The switch-off will allow cheaper and provide higher quality phone calls throughout the UK.

It’s the gradual processing of shifting from an analogue phone line to a digital line, which is made over an internet connection. The Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) will both be switched off completely by 2025, with stop sell already taking place.

This means both businesses and homeowners will shift to digital voice rather than through the traditional phone lines which is carried over copper wiring.

Internet communications have meant landlines are becoming less popular, with telecommunications companies highlighting how PSTN equipment is costly to maintain and lacks high-quality calls. Traditional telephone lines can be unreliable due to their infrastructure of copper cables which are impacted by external hazards such as weather conditions and being underground.

How will the big landline switch affect me?

The last few years have seen us all embrace change via technology more than ever, from the use of mobile phones, applications and video calls. Your previous landline phone will still work when the big landline switch-off happens when connected to the internet router.

One consideration to make when transitioning to VoIP is that it is not compatible with some monitored alarm systems, which commonly connect through phone lines. If you use an alarm system at your property, you should contact your alarm company in advance.

What are the benefits of digital voice?

Cost

  • Saving money is one of the major reasons many are migrating to digital phone services. Digital Voice allows you to adapt the package as is necessary and can help prevent surprise costs at the end of the month which sometimes happens with traditional landline service.
  • Both internet and voice communications will use a singular digital network with Digital Voice, allowing users experience reduced maintenance costs when it comes to repairing traditional phone wiring.
  • With a traditional landline service, you usually pay service charges, for the installation, repairs and maintenance costs.

Features

  • VoIP incorporates special features such as voicemail, call waiting, call barring, and call diversion
  • VoIP also has a special feature that helps blacklist nuisance calls
  • VoIP offers HD-quality calling, and the call barring option helps prevents calls from being made to high rate or international destinations so you do not exceed costs.

Will I need a new handset for Digital Voice?

Your existing telephone handset will need to be connected to your internet router for seamless service. VoIP services are cost-effective, as you’re paying simply for an internet connection with a small additional fee for Digital Voice features.

Call our team on 0333 240 9100 or email theteam@deepbluetelecom.co.uk for more information on how you can switch.

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Why VoIP? 9 reasons to make the change

by with No Comment Industry NewsNews

Why VoIP? Making changes when you have an established business is always difficult, this is especially true when it comes to something as critical as your telecoms. If you’re not sure whether you are ready to take the plunge with VoIP, here are 9 reasons that might persuade you that now is the time to make the change:

Flexibility

Freedom from fixed lines!

 Take your numbers with you if you move site with no delays: simply uplift your equipment from one location and connect it in another. Choose your number; select the area code you want to use, set up blocks of numbers, add additional numbers whenever you need them.

Manage more than one business? Control all your calls from one place. Set up numbers and call plans for targeted campaigns and special promotions to track call volumes. Manage calls for your London sales office, your Leeds tech team and your Manchester warehouse all from one online portal.

 

Managed Transfer

With full training included as part of your setup, Deep Blue make sure that you hit the ground running when you switch to a VoIP system.

Pre-build and test set ups allow you to get your call plans in place before your numbers move. With options to have your telephone numbers migrated at fixed time slots or even out of hours, impact to your business is minimised.

 

Growth

Fully scalable solutions.

Systems that are designed to grow with your business. Get new staff set up quickly and easily. Adapt your call routing to suit your needs. Move users in and out of hunt groups with a few clicks to manage busy periods and promotions.

 

Security

Built in peace of mind.

Built in fraud protection monitors your call volumes 24 hours a day to keep you safe from potential fraud. Sending out alerts and even automatically applying call barring, it limits your exposure should the worst happen. Multi-layer security protocols and compulsory passcodes close off the hackers most common routes of access.

 

Features

With a range of features available, even on entry level setups, VoIP solutions from Deep Blue offer so much more. You can build call plans, create Hunt Groups, even create your own auto attendant. As your business grows, so too can your telephony. Call queue features and wall board integration make building your own call centre a breeze.

Need to be MiFID II compliant? No problem! Feature rich call recording keeps your customers and business safe.

By taking advantage of the option to self-manage you can control all your telephony functions in house. No more waiting around for engineers and call out charges.

 

Continuity

Get disaster recovery that kicks in automatically, rerouting your calls to keep you up and running. No need to rely on the local exchange or your onsite system to divert your calls.

Send calls to mobiles or alternative phone numbers. Change your voicemail message from your mobile or home phone to keep customers informed. Get new equipment delivered the next working day*.

 

Mobility

Free yourself from the desk.

Set up home workers with their own handsets so they can work as if they were in the office. Use desktop soft clients and mobile apps to make and receive calls wherever you are. Manage your DDi with just a few clicks.

Your workplace is wherever you want it to be.

 

Cost

If your business grows faster than you expect and you need to increase your call capacity, traditional setups like ISDN can throw up all kinds of unexpected costs. Relying on Openreach to install, there are both activation and engineering charges which can quickly mount up. And that’s before you even get into the time costs.

With VoIP solutions from Deep Blue there are no activation fees for new SIP trunks and if you have a compatible set up, they can be up and running in a matter of minutes.

 

Withdrawal of the PSTN

From 2023, Openreach will stop selling ISDN lines and from December 2025 it is their intention to fully withdraw the PSTN network: ISDN included.

While that gives businesses plenty of time to make the change, when you consider that 16 million lines and channels will need to be migrated to alternative products it’s worth starting to look at other options sooner rather than later. That being said, there is no need to panic or rush to make the change (as some providers would have you believe!).

Our article ISDN withdrawal – the key questions answered has more information about the withdrawal and it’s potential impact.

If all of this has got you thinking maybe your business is ready to take the next step then speak to Deep Blue. We’ll go over all the details with you, arrange a site survey if needed and give you all the information you need to make the decision.

0333 240 9100