You may have heard rumours that you’ll have to change your whole business telephone system once the NBN arrives in your area.
Well let me reassure you that this is a myth. When your suburb switches to the NBN, you won’t necessarily have to upgrade your business phones systems.
But having said that, there are some good reasons why you might choose to upgrade to an NBN ready business phone system. And we’ll look at those later in the article.
We’ve done this before
Now I know that a major technological change like this can seem a bit daunting. But it’s really not that scary. In fact we’ve all been through something similar.
I’m talking about the introduction of digital TV. And we all adapted to that pretty well.
So let me compare the digital TV switchover to the NBN transition. I think you’ll find the similarities reassuring.
Changing channels – analogue to digital
While a technological revolution can seem like a big deal at the time, it’s surprising how quickly we get used to it. And then it’s hard to imagine things any other way.
Nowadays it feels like digital TV has been around forever. But the reality is that it was only introduced into Australia just 18 years ago. That is how an VOIP business phone system feels like.
So let’s cast our minds back to late 2000 when we were all watching a slightly fuzzy picture on a big, chunky analogue TV. There was no HD.
And even the so-called flat screen TVs had a cabinet two-feet thick.
Remember the set-top box?
When the clock ticked over to January 1, 2001, the digital TV signal was switched on in the capital cities. And hard-core TV lovers and early adopters with spare cash rushed out to buy a digital set-top box.
Remember them? The picture quality was nothing like what you get on today’s HD digital TVs. But the set-top box was an affordable way to get the new digital channels on your existing TV.
It took another 9 years for the entire Australian population to transition to digital TV.
And over that period a new generation of digital TVs made the set-top boxes redundant. (I found a dusty one in our TV cabinet drawer during a recent clean out.)
Now digital TV seems such a normal part of life we don’t even think about the analogue days. Our VOIP Phone Systems are just as easy!
Does anyone even remember when the last analogue signal was switched off? (If the question ever comes up at a trivia night, it was December 3, 2013.)
Adapt or upgrade?
As I said earlier, I think there are some similarities between the switch to digital TV and the switch to the NBN. And I think we can learn from them.
Just as a set top box lets you watch digital channels on your old analogue TV, there are converters that will make your existing business phone system work on the NBN.
There will however be limitations and flaws. Because much like the digital set-top box, you’re combining old technology with new technology. But it can be a cost-effective measure until you can afford to upgrade.
However it’s worth considering how much it will cost for a qualified phone technician to install the converter.
If your current business phone system is more than five years old, the money may be better spent upgrading to an NBN ready business phone system.
The good news is that once your system is NBN ready, you can start taking advantage of the great features and cost savings that come with it for example, VOIP, PBX, call recording, call reporting, call tracking and much more!
Need more help?
Still not sure whether to upgrade your business telephone system now or to wait a bit? One of our solutions experts can help you weigh up the pros and cons.
They can also to tell you exactly when they NBN is coming to your area. (If it’s not there already.)
And when you’re ready to transition to the NBN, they’ll guide you through the process to minimise disruption to your business.
To book an appointment, submit the form below and we’ll be in touch.
Otherwise give us a call 03 9474 0044. Or email us at sales@expert-telecom.com.au
