In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, communication is everything. The way we connect with customers, collaborate with colleagues, and manage teams has changed — and so has the technology behind it. One of the key decisions facing UK businesses in 2025 is whether to stick with traditional phone systems or make the switch to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
So, what’s the right choice for your business?
Let’s break it down.
What Are Traditional Phone Systems?
Traditional phones, also known as landline or analogue systems, rely on copper wire infrastructure and the public switched telephone network (PSTN). These systems have been around for decades and are known for their reliability — but they come with significant limitations.
Key drawbacks of traditional systems:
- High setup and maintenance costs
- Limited flexibility and scalability
- Physical infrastructure dependency
- PSTN switch-off by 2025 in the UK
Yes — you read that right. BT is switching off the PSTN by the end of January 2027, which means all businesses still using legacy phone systems will need to transition to an IP-based solution.
What Is VoIP?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a modern technology that allows phone calls to be made via the internet rather than traditional phone lines. You can use VoIP phones, softphones (apps on your devices), or even integrate it directly into platforms like Microsoft Teams.
Benefits of VoIP for businesses:
- Lower call costs (especially for long-distance or international calls)
- Scalable to any team size or multiple office locations
- Fully remote-work ready
- Advanced features like call recording, call queues, voicemail-to-email, and analytics
- Easily integrated with your CRM and business tools
Why More UK Businesses Are Switching to VoIP in 2025
With the PSTN shutdown looming, more businesses are upgrading to VoIP not just out of necessity, but because it makes financial and operational sense.
VoIP solutions like those from Fidelis Plus offer the flexibility and tools modern teams need — without the high costs or infrastructure headaches of traditional phone systems.
VoIP vs Traditional Phones: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | VoIP | Traditional Phones |
| Call Quality | Excellent (with stable internet) | Excellent |
| Setup Cos | Low | High |
| Monthly Cost | Lower (bundled plans) | Higher |
| Flexibility | High – work from anywhere | Low – office-dependent |
| Scalability | Easy | Complex and costly |
| Features | Advanced | Basic |
| Integration | With CRMs, Teams, etc. | Not supported |
| Future-Proof | Yes | No – PSTN phase-out |
So, Which Is Best for Your Business?
If you’re a forward-thinking business that values flexibility, cost-efficiency, and future-proof infrastructure, VoIP is the clear winner.
For businesses still operating on legacy systems, now is the time to act. The upcoming switch-off of the UK’s copper-based networks means VoIP isn’t just a better choice — it’s soon to be the only choice.
Ready to Upgrade?
At Fidelis Plus, we help businesses of all sizes transition seamlessly from outdated systems to powerful, feature-rich VoIP solutions. Whether you need a VoIP system for small businesses or want to integrate Microsoft Teams as a phone system, we’ve got you covered.
Request a demo today to see how we can modernise your communications.
