We surveyed businesses dependent on the PSTN to find out how VoIP solutions could best meet their communications needs.

1. Software Advice IndustryView:
What PSTN Users Want From VoIP Report
Trends and best practices from the industry

2. Abstract
We conducted a two-day online survey of six questions, and gathered 161
responses from random business decision-makers with connections to the Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) within the United States, in order to answer
the following questions:
• Why are some businesses still dependent on the PSTN, despite the substantial
savings offered by VoIP solutions?
• Which capabilities do PSTN subscribers prioritize when evaluating VoIP
solutions?
• Are there any important differences in how Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)
and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) subscribers think about the
benefits of IP communications?

3. Primary Draws of VoIP for PSTN Users
Cheaper service
Desktop and mobile compatibility
More features
Easily scalable
Voice and data on one connection
Unique security options
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Percent of sample
23 percent of the PSTN subscribers we surveyed were interested in the
compatibility with mobile devices offered by VoIP systems.

4. Connections of PSTN Users Interested in VoIP for Savings
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
ISDN
POTS
Percent of sample
ISDN users were more likely to be interested in saving on their phone bills with
VoIP solutions (35 percent) than businesses with analog POTS lines (21 percent).

5. Connections of PSTN Users Interested in VoIP for Scalability
0% 10% 20% 30%
ISDN
POTS
Percent of sample
ISDN subscribers were twice as likely to be interested in the easy scalability of VoIP
solutions (28 percent) as subscribers with analog POTS lines (14 percent).

6. Top Reasons Users Choose PSTN Over VoIP
Easier to use
Fewer service interruptions
Better voice quality
Security concerns
Not sure what VoIP is
Reliable Internet unavailable
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Percent of sample
25 percent of our sample of PSTN subscribers who haven’t yet transitioned to IP
communications were concerned about service interruptions.

7. Importance of Uninterrupted Service to Business Model
37% Absolutely essential
27% Very important
Moderately
important 13%
6% Minimally important
17% Not at all important
64 percent of our sample reported that maintaining constant dial tone was either
“absolutely essential” or “very important” to their business models.

8. Perceptions of PSTN’s Role as Supplement to VoIP/Cellular
Emergency backup in disasters
Reliable connection for services like 911
Alternative where broadband isn't offered
Network for secure conversations
Dedicated high-quality voice network
Easier to use if you dislike software
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Percent of sample
31 percent of the PSTN subscribers we surveyed believed that the PSTN can
continue to serve an important role as a backup mechanism in VoIP systems.

9. Read Report Read about our findings in more detail.
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