Telecom Management: How Will the PSTN Phase-out Impact Your Company?

Is the public switched telephone network (PSTN) going away? The short answer is yes. While your existing PSTN isn’t going to stop suddenly, the world has definitely moved away from the technology over time. In fact, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established a time frame to allow AT&T to phase out its PSTN all the way back in 2010. With so many compelling alternatives, the technology has seen few significant gains since that point; for newer employees in fields like procurement, telecom order management (and billing management) seems more and more archaic each year. 

Now, with the FCC laying the groundwork to fully eliminate PSTN by the year 2030, it’s clear the technology is outdated. If you’re still making PSTN a critical part of your communications, you should start planning a move to the cloud instead. 

Even beyond the FCC’s recent moves, there are plenty of good reasons to plan your move from PSTN. Outdated technology brings a lot of risks, including system downtime, reduced productivity, and more significant cybersecurity problems. Ultimately, continuing to use PSTN will result in losing your competitive edge.

Technology is always evolving, and current PSTN users are likely experiencing signs that their technology needs to be updated. Systems become slow to respond. You’ll get more indications of cyberattack attempts as attackers work to take advantage of vulnerabilities they discover. Ensuring your technology is up to date is one of the most important actions you can take to keep your business healthy and secure. 

How to Pave the Way for a Cloud Communications Migration

If done correctly, a cloud communications migration won’t disrupt your business. With a telecom cost management partner, you can find the best path for your organization without overinvesting in new tech or overpaying for certain tools. Here are a few common questions about moving to the cloud.

Does a cloud communications migration cause downtime?

If you don’t have experts in cloud migration on your IT team, you could very well experience downtime during the PSTN phase out and the subsequent cloud migration. But when you work with a trusted advisor like PAG, we’ll be there every step of the way to mitigate downtime. Keeping a telecommunications management service on hand is especially important if you’re in an industry like healthcare or financial services.

Will I lose ground in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance?

Modern cloud communications solutions have strong cybersecurity in place, including strict compliance with all relevant regulations. In addition, the providers have SLAs written to ensure they abide by security and compliance standards. That makes the technology a strong choice for companies looking to modernize. 

Aren’t cloud communications expensive?

If you haven’t recently undergone a telecom expense audit, any type of communications can put a strain on your budget. As many companies using PSTN know, it’s easy to become burdened with contracts and costly service agreements that have been around for decades. 

It’s always a good idea to alleviate budget strain by getting a third-party telecom audit and enrolling in a telecom billing management program. Both these services are essential to finding the right technology at the right price. Audits will find cost-saving opportunities such as hidden fees, unused features, and billing errors. Then, you can eliminate those issues when you configure your cloud communications. Meanwhile, the telecom order management portion helps you ensure your ongoing spend stays within your budget. 

Fund Your Cloud Migration With Audit Savings

You can use the savings that your telecom cost management service discovers to offset the cost of a PSTN phase out and cloud communications upgrade. When you migrate your communications to the cloud, you’ll see an increase in modern features that help your teams communicate better and support mobility. In most cases, you’ll see a reduction in costs because of the increased flexibility and scalability of cloud systems.

Would you like to know how much you can save? Take advantage of a risk-free telecom audit by PAG. Contact us today to find out how easily you can migrate to the latest cloud communications technology.