Complete Telephony (VoIP)

Hosted Telephony, also known as Hosted VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) or a Hosted Telephone System, is a cloud-based phone system that allows businesses to make and receive calls over the Internet rather than traditional phone lines. The system is managed and maintained by a service provider.

The reliability of hosted telephony depends on your internet connection. With a stable and high-speed connection, the hosted telephony service is generally very reliable. Many Hosted Telephony providers like Complete I.T. also offer SLAs (Service Level Agreements) that guarantee uptime.

• Cost Savings: Lower upfront costs and reduced maintenance fees
• Scalability: Easily scale up or down as your business needs change
• Flexibility: Access the hosted telephone system from anywhere with an internet connection
• Advanced Features: Includes features like call forwarding, voicemail to email, auto-attendant, and more
• Disaster Recovery: Calls can be rerouted in the event of a failure or emergency

Yes, hosted telephony systems use encryption and other security measures to protect voice data. Hosted Telephony Providers like Complete I.T. also regularly update and maintain their systems to safeguard against security threats.

Yes, Hosted Telephony is highly beneficial for the education sector as it offers enhanced communication flexibility, cost savings, and scalability. Schools, colleges, and universities can benefit from features like automated attendance lines, voicemail-to-email, and integration with other digital platforms, which streamline administrative tasks and improve parent-teacher communication. The ability to make and receive calls from any location also supports remote learning and ensures that educators and administrators remain accessible, even when off-campus. Additionally, the system’s scalability allows educational institutions to easily adapt to changing enrolment numbers and staffing needs.

The BT Switch Off refers to the phasing out of ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) and PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) services to a fully digital communications network. This is due to the traditional copper network not being able to keep up with faster, sleeker alternatives, such as IP (Internet Protocol) phone systems, which were introduced in 1986 and quickly surpassed ISDN lines, especially in terms of speed and cost-effectiveness.

Initially, this was due to take place in 2025 but the deadline was extended to 2027 to allow consumers more time to adapt to new technologies, giving them time to explore options like VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services, ensuring continuity of communication.

The BT Switch Off refers to the planned discontinuation of traditional PSTN and ISDN phone lines in the UK by 2027, requiring businesses and homes to transition to alternative communication systems. Hosted Telephony, which operates over the internet, is a key replacement, offering modern, flexible, and cost-effective solutions that align with the broader move towards digital communication infrastructure.

As businesses must migrate away from outdated technologies to maintain uninterrupted service, Hosted Telephony provides a future-proof alternative that not only replicates but enhances the features of traditional phone systems. With advanced functionalities like unified communications and mobile integration, Hosted Telephony allows businesses to upgrade their communication systems in anticipation of the switch-off, ensuring continuity and preparing them for future technological advancements.