Why Every Small Business Should Upgrade to Fibre and VoIP and Why Now Is the Right Time
For many small businesses, broadband and phone lines have quietly powered day to day operations for years with little thought about what sits behind them. But the UK’s communications landscape is shifting rapidly. The national switch-off of the old copper-based PSTN and ISDN networks is now firmly underway, and by December 2027 those legacy lines will be permanently retired.
If your business still relies on traditional phone lines or slow FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) broadband, the message is clear: now is the time to upgrade. Moving to full fibre and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) isn’t just about future-proofing, it’s about unlocking faster speeds, lower costs, improved reliability and better customer experience.
Here’s what you need to know, and how Plum Communications can help you make the move smoothly.
________________________________________
Why Fibre Matters: A Better Connection for Modern Business
Full fibre (FTTP – Fibre to the Premises) is the gold standard of internet connectivity. Unlike older copper networks, fibre delivers data using light. The result is a cleaner, faster and significantly more stable connection.
Here’s what that means in practice:
1. Ultra-fast speeds and stability
Fibre offers faster speeds, meaning fast uploads as well as downloads. This is essential for cloud backups, remote working, video calls and online customer services.
2. Improved reliability
Copper networks degrade over time, are affected by weather, and often struggle with the increasing data demands of modern businesses. Fibre is far more robust, offering consistent performance even at peak times.
3. Lower maintenance and downtime
Fibre networks are newer, more efficient, and require less physical upkeep. Fewer faults mean less disruption to your business.
4. Better support for cloud tools
From Microsoft 365 and Teams to CRM systems and VoIP phone solutions, fibre allows you to run cloud-based operations seamlessly and without lag.
________________________________________
Why VoIP Is the Future of Business Telephony
With PSTN and ISDN being phased out, traditional analogue phone lines will simply stop working. VoIP isn’t just a replacement, it’s an upgrade.
Here’s what VoIP brings to a modern small business:
1. Flexibility and mobility
Make and receive calls from your office phone, mobile, laptop or app, anywhere with internet access.
2. Lower running costs
VoIP systems typically cost less than traditional phone lines and come with inclusive call packages.
3. Professional features included as standard
Call menus, hunt groups, call recording, voicemail-to-email, call analytics, all features that once required expensive hardware are now built in.
4. Scales as you grow
Add or remove users instantly. No engineer visits. No new lines to install.
Switching to VoIP aligns your business with the way communication now works , digital, flexible and cloud-driven.
________________________________________
Why You Should Upgrade Now and Not Later
Many businesses think they have plenty of time before the 2027 switch-off, but upgrading early has significant advantages.
1. Avoid the last-minute rush
As the deadline approaches, demand for installs increases. Lead times will stretch, and support teams will be overwhelmed. Upgrading now guarantees availability.
2. Benefit immediately from improved performance
Why wait three more years for faster speeds, better customer experience and cheaper calls when you could start saving and improving productivity now?
3. Prevent future disruption
If you leave it too late, the risk is simple: your current phone or broadband service may stop working before your upgrade is in place.
4. Legacy products are getting more expensive
Suppliers increasingly charge more for copper-based services and analogue lines. Some have already stopped selling them entirely. Fibre and VoIP often cost less than legacy services, so delaying simply means paying more for worse performance.
5. Enable hybrid and flexible working
Fibre supports video conferencing, VPNs and remote access without quality issues. VoIP allows staff to take business calls from anywhere. Waiting limits your ability to adapt.
________________________________________
The Steps to Take When Moving to Fibre and VoIP
Making the switch needn’t be complicated. Here’s the recommended process:
Step 1: Audit your current services
List your broadband, phone lines, alarm lines, card machines, lift lines and fax numbers. Anything using an analogue line will be affected.
Step 2: Check fibre availability
Speak to a provider like Plum Communications to confirm which full-fibre networks are available at your address.
Step 3: Choose your fibre plan
Consider speed, contract length, business SLAs, and resilience options. Many SMEs choose 80 Mbps download as a starting point, while larger or cloud-heavy operations may benefit from higher, even gigabit speeds.
Step 4: Move from analogue to VoIP
Select a VoIP system that suits your business: desk phones, softphones, mobile apps, call queues, IVRs, transcription, CRM intergation and more.
Step 5: Plan the migration
Schedule installation and number porting with minimal impact on daily operations.
Step 6: Test, train and go live
Once installed, test call flows, train staff and confirm everything is working as expected.
________________________________________
How Plum Communications Makes Your Transition Smooth and Stress-Free
At Plum Communications, we specialise in helping SMEs make the move to fibre and VoIP without disruption. Here’s how we support you:
✔ Full audit of your existing lines and systems
We identify what needs upgrading and what can be retired.
✔ Fibre availability checks and best-value recommendations
We work with multiple networks to find you the strongest and most reliable service.
✔ Complete VoIP design and setup
We configure call flows, greetings, menus, hunt groups and mobile apps to suit your business.
✔ Number porting handled for you
No downtime, no lost calls.
✔ On-site and remote support
We help with installation, training and any technical questions.
✔ Ongoing account management
You get a real person and a local team, no call-centre queues.
________________________________________
Upgrade Today and Future-Proof Your Business
The telecoms switch-off is coming, but the benefits of upgrading are here right now. Faster internet, lower costs, better communication and long-term reliability are all within reach.
If your business is still on copper lines or FTTC, now is the perfect time to make the move.
Speak to Plum Communications today and let us guide you into the future of business connectivity, smoothly, professionally and without disruption.
Full Fibre Upgrade – Business Communications – Plum Communications