Switching to VoIP? Here's Why You Need New IVR Recordings
With the BT PSTN switch off 2027 deadline approaching, your new phone system needs new recordings. Make sure it sounds as professional as it performs.
Jan 2027
PSTN switch-off deadline
500,000+
business lines still unmigrated
2M+
UK businesses affected
The PSTN Switch Off 2027 Deadline
The UK's Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) will be fully switched off by 31 January 2027. The BT PSTN switch off affects every traditional phone line in the country. Stop-sell of new PSTN and ISDN lines has been active since September 2023, and over two-thirds of UK landlines have already been upgraded to VoIP.
However, an estimated 500,000+ business lines remain unmigrated, affecting over 2 million UK businesses. If your organisation has not yet migrated, the clock is ticking. A new phone system needs new recordings to match.
Migration is not just about switching hardware. Your existing IVR recordings, which were designed for analogue systems, may not be compatible with your new VoIP platform. This is the ideal time to invest in VoIP phone system greetings UK callers will actually hear clearly.
Will My IVR Recordings Work on VoIP?
Probably not. Analogue PSTN systems and digital VoIP platforms use fundamentally different audio standards. Your old recordings may fail to upload, play with distortion, or simply sound poor on the new system. If you are asking "do I need new recordings for VoIP?" the answer is almost always yes.
Format Incompatibility
VoIP platforms require specific digital formats (WAV at 8 kHz, \u00B5-Law or A-Law encoding) that analogue recordings were never designed for. Many platforms reject files that do not meet exact specifications.
Quality Degradation
Converting old analogue recordings to digital formats introduces compression artefacts. Professional recordings are engineered from scratch for digital telephony, ensuring clarity at every stage.
On-Hold Hardware
Analogue on-hold units connected to PSTN lines may not work with VoIP. Most VoIP platforms include built-in on-hold features that accept uploaded audio files.
Outdated Content
Migration is the perfect time to update messaging. If your recordings mention old departments, phone numbers, or services, they need refreshing regardless of format.
Audio Format Requirements by Platform
Each cloud phone system IVR voice has specific audio requirements. Whether you need a VoIP IVR recording UK-formatted for 3CX, Teams, or any other platform, Lucy delivers in the exact format your system needs.
| Platform | Format | Encoding | Sample Rate | Channels | Max Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3CX | WAV | PCM 16-bit | 8 kHz | Mono | No limit |
| Microsoft Teams | WAV / MP3 / WMA | PCM 16-bit | 16 kHz | Mono | 5 MB |
| Gamma Horizon | WAV | µ-Law 8-bit | 8 kHz | Mono | No limit |
| RingCentral | WAV / MP3 | PCM 16-bit | 8 kHz | Mono | 20 MB |
| 8x8 | WAV | PCM 16-bit | 8 kHz | Mono | 5 MB |
| Cisco Webex Calling | WAV | A-Law / µ-Law | 8 kHz | Mono | 2 MB |
Click a platform name for detailed specs and upload guides.
What You Need to Record
When migrating to VoIP, most businesses need to record or re-record their entire phone system audio. From the main welcome greeting to every VoIP auto attendant recording, the exact list depends on your setup. Here are the most common prompts for a hosted VoIP IVR recording package.
Welcome greeting
Your main greeting that callers hear first when they call your business.
Auto attendant menu
Menu options directing callers to departments: "Press 1 for sales, press 2 for support."
On-hold message
Messages and optional music that play while callers wait to be connected.
Out-of-hours message
Message callers hear when calling outside business hours.
Voicemail greeting
Message that plays before callers leave a voicemail for your main line or departments.
Queue messages
Messages played to callers waiting in a queue, including position updates.
VoIP Migration Recording Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you have all the recordings you need for your new VoIP system.
Not sure what you need? Lucy provides complimentary script guidance with every order.
Get Started Today
Do not wait until the last minute. Order your VoIP-ready IVR recordings now and ensure a seamless migration.
Lucy delivers recordings in the exact format your platform requires. Just tell her which VoIP system you are using.
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