Smartdesc Newsletter: Charity Tech Leaders Survey, PSTN switch off & upcoming roundtables

Welcome to the Smartdesc February newsletter. This month, we’re thrilled to launch our annual Charity Technology Leaders Survey – your opportunity to shape insights for technology leaders in the not-for-profit space, in partnership with Charity IT Leaders. We also feature a useful blog ahead of the PSTN switch off, upcoming charity IT roundtables with Microsoft, and…

The PSTN Switch-Off is Coming: Get Ahead with Modern Connectivity and Microsoft Teams Phone

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch off is fast approaching. By 31 January 2027, every phone line in the UK will have moved to a fully digital network that uses Internet Protocol (IP) across a fibre-based service. This will mark the end of traditional copper phone lines and a significant leap towards a fully…

The PSTN Switch-Off: Future proof your telephony with Microsoft Teams

In the rapidly evolving landscape of telecommunications, there is a crucial date that charities should be aware of: the switch-off of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) in December 2025. This transition will mark a significant milestone in the journey towards fully digital communication infrastructures. After this date, all traditional copper phone lines will cease…

Webinar: Teams Voice – Consolidate your telephony and save money – 26 September 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic completely changed how we use telephones. Most charities are now reducing their ‘landline’ phone numbers to save cost, and are consolidating them into Microsoft Teams. As traditional copper phone lines in the UK are being switched off forever in 2025, now is the ideal time to consolidate your telephony, reduce your spend,…

Quarterly Charity Technology Roundtable – Achieving a Happy Hybrid Workforce – 6 July 2023

Our second quarterly roundtable took place on Thursday 6 July, in partnership with CFG and the Microsoft Tech for Social Impact team. Each quarter we explore a different topic relating to tech and IT at large charities, in a relaxed, jargon-free environment where open discussion is encouraged and confidentiality assured. At our July roundtable, we…

Reduce your communications costs and improve user experience

Welcome to the Smartdesc March newsletter. Lots of organisations are asking us about how they can move their telephony into Microsoft Teams and refresh their internet connectivity ahead of the traditional phone network switch off in 2025, so we’ve compiled the following resources for you: A non-technical guide on how to move telephony into Teams, and…

Let’s talk about Internet and Telephony

Big changes are afoot in the world of internet connectivity, and telephony, across the sector. Traditional copper phone lines in the UK are being switched off forever in 2025, meaning your organisation may need to switch its internet connection(s). The COVID-19 pandemic already transformed how businesses use telephones; across the country plastic desk phones gathered…