What Is ISDN and Why Should You Use It?

What is ISDN? Imagine you want to make a phone call, but you also need to send a picture or document at the same time. That’s where ISDN comes in. 

What Is ISDN?

ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. Essentially, it’s a special kind of phone line that can handle both voice and data at the same time. Normally, when you make a phone call, you use a regular phone line that can only handle your voice. With ISDN, you can talk to someone on the phone while also sending them files or even video in real-time. It’s like having two separate lanes on a highway–one lane for your voice and another lane for your data. 

ISDN used to be a big deal because it allowed people to do more with their phone lines, but nowadays, with the internet and high-speed connections, we have other ways to do the same thing. ISDN may not be as popular as it once was, but it played an important role in developing the communication technology we have today. 

What We’ll Cover:

• How ISDN Got Started
• How It Works
• Setting Up ISDN
• ISDN vs DSL
• Different types of ISDN
• Benefits of ISDN
• Disadvantages of ISDN
• Other Options
• ISDN vs VoIP
• Advantages of VoIP

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How ISDN Got Started

ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. It was a technology that was developed to make phone lines more versatile. Back in the day, regular phone lines were designed mostly for voice calls. If you wanted to send a fax or a file, you had to use a separate line or even wait for the call to finish. It was both inconvenient and time-consuming. 

The goal of ISDN was to create a digital network that would solve this problem and carry different types of information, such as voice, data, images, and video. ISDN was first introduced in the 1980s and gained popularity throughout the 1990s. It brought a lot of advancements to communication technology and opened up new possibilities. 

As the internet has become more widespread, new technologies have emerged that provide even better ways to handle multiple communication channels. Faster internet connections, VoIP services, and other technologies are now replacing the need for ISDN.  

How It Works

Now that you know what ISDN is and what ISDN stands for, let’s talk about how ISDN works. Using special equipment, such as an ISDN adapter or router, ISDN converts your voice, data, and other types of information from analog into digital signals that can be transmitted over a phone line. It’s kind of like translating your voice and other data into a language that the phone line understands. 

When you make a call or send data using ISDN, the information is broken down into small digital packets. These packets contain the data and are sent over the ISDN line to their destination. ISDN uses a special protocol to establish a connection between the two devices involved in the communication. This protocol sets up a virtual connection, like a digital tunnel, between the sender and the receiver. 

There are two main types of channels in ISDN: B channels and D channels. The B channels, which stand for “Bearer” channels, carry your voice or data. They provide a certain amount of bandwidth to transmit the info. The D channels, which stand for “Delta” or “Data” channels, are used for signaling and control purposes. They handle the setup and coordination of the communication. 

ISDN can support multiple B channels and one or more D channels simultaneously. This allows for different types of communication to occur at the same time. For example, you can make a voice call using one B channel while sending data through another B channel. The digital packets carrying your communication travel through the ISDN network until they reach the destination. Once they arrive, they are reassembled into their original form. 

Setting up ISDN

Setting up ISDN requires a few steps as well as specific equipment. Here’s a simplified explanation of the process. 

1. Confirm that ISDN service is available in your area. Contact your service provider to inquire about ISDN options. 
2. Choose the appropriate equipment for your setup. You’ll need either an ISDN terminal adapter or an ISDN router. These devices serve as the interface between your devices and the ISDN line.
3. Install the equipment. Typically, this will involve connecting the ISDN equipment to your existing phone line or a separate ISDN line provided by your service provider. 
4. Configure devices. Once the equipment is set up, you may need to configure your devices to work with the ISDN connection. This may include setting the speed of each line, directing the modem to dial the ISP, and possibly setting the modem for “bonding” so it can access higher speeds.  
5. Test the connection. After the physical setup and configuration, it’s time to test the ISDN connection. Place a test call or try sending data to confirm that the connection is working properly. 
6. Activate ISDN service. Depending on your service provider, you might need to activate your ISDN service through a registration process. They’ll walk you through the activation and ensure that your ISDN service is ready to use. 

 

Fixed Wireless vs Satelite

ISDN vs DSL 

So we’ve talked about ISDN, but how does it compare to DSL? In theory, DSL and ISDN provide the same service of transmitting digital signals over existing telephone lines. However, there are some major differences between DSL and ISDN. 

DSL is designed specifically for high-speed internet access and provides much faster speeds than ISDN. That’s because DSL is “always-on” while ISDN is a dial-up service. DSL transmits digital packets at a speed of up to 100 Mbps, compared to 128 Kbps for ISDN. 

Another big difference between the two is their purpose. DSL’s purpose is primarily internet connectivity in residential and small business settings. It allows users to access the internet and high speeds without the need to install cable or fiber optic lines. ISDN, on the other hand, was designed to integrate both voice and data to allow multitasking on a single phone line. ISDN is much less popular today than it once was, while DSL is still widely accessible. 

Different Types of ISDN

ISDN has two different types, Basic Rate Interface (BRI) and Primary Rate Interface (PRI). The difference between the two is essentially the tier of service offered. BRI is considered the lower tier and is also the most common. It consists of two B channels and one D channel. Each channel has a data transfer rate of 64 Kbps, which together provides a data transfer rate of 128 Kbps. BRI connections are suitable for users who require moderate bandwidth and need to combine voice and data services over a single line. 

PRI is a higher-capacity ISDN primarily used in larger organizations and businesses that need more extensive communication capabilities. PRI consists of multiple B channels and one or more D channels. In the United States, the standard configuration for PRI is 23 B channels and 1 D channel. Just like BRI, each B channel has a data transfer rate of 64 Kbps and can provide a total bandwidth of 1.544 Mbps. 

Benefits of ISDN

While ISDN use is decreasing, it does come with some benefits. Here are some of the advantages of ISDN:

• Integration of voice and data simultaneously.
• Clear voice calls with minimal interference and reliable data transmission.
• Guaranteed bandwidth with dedicated channels. 
• Faster setup and connection time than traditional analog lines. 
• Access to the internet in areas where broadband isn’t available. 

Disadvantages of ISDN

ISDN changed the game and opened the door for communications technology breakthroughs. However, there are some major disadvantages to ISDN. Here are the drawbacks to ISDN:  

• Bandwidth is limited and may not be sufficient for bandwidth-intensive activities like high-definition video streaming or large file transfers. 
• Costs are relatively high compared to options like DSL and cable internet. 
• Finding ISDN-compatible devices can be difficult. 
• Scalability is limited and requires the purchase of hardware. 

Other Options

Today, there are several alternatives to ISDN that offer more advanced features, higher speeds, and greater flexibility. DSL uses copper telephone wires, just like ISDN, and works at much higher speeds. Similarly, if you’re able to install new lines, cable and fiber optic offer high-speed internet connections. VoIP in particular is an exciting alternative to ISDN that is both affordable and flexible. 

But what is VoIP? VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that allows voice calls to be transmitted over the internet rather than through traditional phone lines. It offers cost-effective and feature-rich voice communication, as well as additional functionalities such as video conferencing, voicemail, and call forwarding. VoIP can be used with various devices, including computers, smartphones, IP phones, and dedicated VoIP adapters. It provides scalability, as adding more lines is relatively easy without the need for additional physical lines. 

VoIP can be adapted based on almost any setup you already have. For example, analog telephone terminal adapters allow you to use your legacy equipment while taking advantage of VoIP service. For these reasons, many businesses are switching to VoIP for their communication needs. 

ISDN vs VoIP

These two technologies have been game-changing, each in their own way. But what are the differences between ISDN and VoIP? Let’s compare the two to see how they stand up.  

First of all, ISDN and VoIP are two different technologies. ISDN uses circuit-switching to transmit voice, data, and other services over traditional telephone lines. VoIP, on the other hand, uses the internet to transmit voice calls using IP packets. As far as infrastructure, ISDN requires physical lines dedicated to voice and data transmission. VoIP utilizes existing internet infrastructure, operating over broadband connections like DSL, cable, and fiber optic.  

When it comes to voice quality, ISDN provides consistently clear quality with minimal latency because it uses dedicated digital channels. VoIP call quality depends on varying factors, such as connection stability, bandwidth, and network congestion. Quality has improved significantly in the past few years, and as long as you have a good connection, you can typically expect crystal-clear audio. 

As far as cost, ISDN services tend to be much more expensive compared to VoIP. ISDN requires dedicated lines and additional equipment. Because of how expensive it is to add lines, ISDN is not very scalable. VoIP is usually much more cost-effective. Since it utilizes existing connections, there aren’t any additional line charges, and equipment that you already have can typically be used. Plus, long-distance and international calls can be extremely affordable. VoIP is very scalable. With the simple click of a mouse, extra lines can be added within minutes. 

Since ISDN supports both voice and data transmission over the same line, it does offer a few features. These may include caller ID, call waiting, and conference calls. However, VoIP offers many more advanced features than ISDN. VoIP supports voice calls, video conferencing, voicemail, call forwarding, virtual phone numbers, and integration with third-party applications. 

Finally, ISDN is only available in some regions of the country. Many companies are phasing out ISDN services. However, in places where broadband access is limited, ISDN may still be an excellent option for you. VoIP, on the other hand, is much more widely available. It’s used for residential and business purposes, and is especially popular for remote workers.

 

The Benefits of VoIP

Advantages of VoIP

It’s pretty obvious that VoIP is the way of the future when it comes to communications. VoIP offers several advantages over ISDN. Here are some key advantages of VoIP: 

• Cost savings: VoIP provides significant cost savings compared to ISDN. Organizations can eliminate or reduce the need for separate voice and data networks, resulting in lower infrastructure and maintenance costs.
• Flexibility: One major advantage of VoIP is its flexibility. All you need to make and receive VoIP calls is an internet-capable device and a strong internet connection. Whether you’re traveling abroad for work or working remotely, you can access all the features of VoIP from your mobile device, computer, or tablet and continue to communicate with coworkers and clients. And with features like call forwarding, calls can automatically be redirected to another device or location so you never miss an important call. 
• Advanced features: VoIP is more than just phone service over the internet. Offering a number of advanced features like call forwarding, call waiting, IVR, auto-attendant, and more, VoIP enhances your communication capabilities for less than ISDN service. Plus, VoIP systems can typically integrate with other applications, such as email, CRM systems, and instant messaging, providing a unified communication experience. 
• Scalability: VoIP is highly scalable, allowing businesses to easily add or remove lines or extensions as needed without significant changes to infrastructure. Adding new users or locations to a VoIP system is simple and quick, letting you adapt your VoIP system to accommodate the changing needs of your business. 
• Rich media support: In addition to voice, VoIP can transmit other forms of media, like video, instant messaging, and file sharing. This enables real-time collaboration and enhances productivity for your business. 
• Integration with existing infrastructure: If you already have a legacy PBX system, VoIP service can usually be integrated with your existing infrastructure without any major overhaul. Typically, all you need is the appropriate adapters and your pre-existing internet connection. 

Conclusion

What is ISDN? ISDN is a technology that changed the game, allowing traditional phone lines to be transformed for digital use. ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network, and while it’s still available in select parts of the country, it’s now being replaced by more powerful options like VoIP.

VoIP offers a number of benefits that make it the ideal choice for businesses big and small. With VoIP, you can save money, make and receive calls anywhere you have access to the internet, and enjoy advanced features that help you communicate better. VoIP is flexible and scalable, allowing you to add or remove lines as your needs change. Plus, VoIP lets you integrate with other applications, making communications even more seamless.

While ISDN is still an option in some places, VoIP is paving the way for a more efficient and cost-effective way of staying connected. Whether you’re just starting out or your business is already established, VoIP can help you achieve greater success. 

If you need help finding VoIP service in your area, OneStop Communications is here to help! We work with the nation’s best carriers, like Nextiva, Verizon, AT&T, and more, and can help you find the right plan for your unique business needs. We serve the entire US!

 

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