History in Business Telecoms

1965 - 1977
Telecoms Market Privatisation - The 1980s
The 90s, ISDN and The Digital Revolution
The New Millenium - 2000 to present

1965 to 1977 - Dictation Systems and the GPO
Up until market privatisation in the early 1980s, telephone systems and telecoms equipment were obtainable only via the GPO - the General Post Office. Southern Communications was established in 1965, it's founders recognising a requirement in the telecoms market for dictation systems.

Dictation systems interfaced with the GPO phone systems which fed the typing pools

Dictation systems interfaced with the GPO phone systems which fed the typing pools

Southern Communications quickly became a market leader in the design and manufacture of dictation equipment, providing solutions to corporate organisations such as BP and Shell in the UK.

The dictation systems connected to the GPO telephone systems of the day, allowing managers to use thier telephone to dictate and record messages that would be presented to the typing pools.

In 1977, Southern Communications was incorporated as a limited company.

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The 1980s - Telecoms Market is Privatised

On 6th August 1984, the Government sold shares in what was formerly Post Office Telecommunications, renamed British Telecommunications plc, to the public. This was the first public utility to become a privatised business in the UK.

Privately owned telecoms firms were able to sell phone systems and services to businesses for the first time, and Southern Communications used thier expertise with phone systems to take advantage of the opportunity. The sales and maintenance services of business phone systems had begun.

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Demand for dictation systems dropped at personal computers allowed managers to write thier own letters

At the same time, personal computers were becoming affordable and available to managers and directors, who saw this as an opportunity to write thier own correspondance, or have letters typed by thier PAs instead of employing large numbers of staff for the same purpose.

Other telecoms vendors were also licenced to provide telephone line and call services to UK businesses, creating a competitive market.

The 1990s - Telecoms Goes Digital
In the early 1990s, digital "keysystem" telephone systems became affordable and widely available for the first time, bringing added functionality to every user in evey UK business.

Previoulsy in most UK businesses, all telecoms functionality was delivered to the main receptionist console and the user phones had been plain, ordinary telephones (known as POTs).

Keysystems allowed direct-to-desk dialling, advanced voicemail and messaging functions, quick-and-easy use and interactive displays with LED buttons showing user status.

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Plessey's PKS telephone systems were the first digital keysystems available in the UK

Southern Communications supplied keysystem solutions to businesses via the Plessey PKS1 & PKS2 telephone systems, the first of thier kind to be available in the UK.

In 1995, ISDN lines became available, giving even more functionality to the desktop user, and the telephone system technology advanced further to support it.

NEC Nitsuko Digital ISDN keyststem

NEC (then Nitsuko) DXE telephone systems were the UK's most advanced ISDN keysystem, and we continue to support over 300 DXE systems today.

Energis, ACC and a number of other telecoms providers also recieved PTO and Intenrational Reseller licences in an attempt to make the calls and lines market more competitive. Southern Communications began recommending ACC for low-cost calls, and managing customer billing accounts as part of system maintenance agreements.
Phone systems were configured with LCR software to route calls to the likes of ACC, Mercury and Energis.

Business Telecoms For The New Millenium
CPS (carrier pre-selection), VoIP and the development of Internet communications have dominated business telecoms technology since the turn of the century, and Southern Communications now has a complete portfolio of business telecoms products and services to reflect these steps.

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Splicecom PCS-580 touch-screen multi-media Voip business phone

Splicecom's PCS-580 touchscreen VoIP telephone represents the latest in business telecoms technology development.

High quality voice communications combine with internet access and multi-media communications, all via an easy-to-use and intuitive desktop telephone.

Low-Cost Calls & Lines
Since 2003, we have been providing cheaper business calls and telephone line installation services to UK businesses, as a direct calls and lines reseller and wholesale partner. A full portfolio of network and calls services are available thanks to partnerships with multiple UK networks.

Phone Systems
VoIP business phone systems, TDM systems, Convergence and Keysystem solutions are available with complete top-to-bottom implementation including supply, delivery, configuration, training and post-installation support. Full voice and data cabling and consultation services are also available.

Business Mobiles
We now provide complete services for business mobile fleets of all sizes, including mobile voice, data and internet services and support.

Business Broadband
The latest "Fastlane" High-speed uncontended broadband, ADSL and SDSL services are available, together with SIP Trunk installation and technical support.

What's next?
Since 1965 our business has developed purely based on what our customers want for thier business communications. So our future is up to you...

Calls and Lines Services Overview	Freephone 0800 numbers
Business Calls	Free 0845 Numbers
Telephone Lines	Earn With 0844 Numbers
Free Online Billing	Fax-to-Email Numbers
Free Call Logging	Home & Remote Workers
Business Numbers	Call Fraud & Preventing Abuse
Free Conference Calling	Terms & Conditions
Call Diverting & Relocation	Case Studies

NEC SV8100	Telephone Systems For Business
Avaya IP Office 500	VoIP Telephone Systems
Splicecom Maximiser	Car Dealers & Auto Traders
NEC Aspire	School Telephone Systems
NEC XN120	Solicitors and Accountants
NEC DXE	Contact Centre Phone Systems
Avaya / SDX INDeX Upgrade	Phone systems for Charities
Plessey / Siemens ISDX Upgrade	Phone System Terms of Sale
Nortel Meridian Upgrade	Retail Sector Phone Systems

Business ADSL
Small business ADSL
SDSL
Free Broadband Survey
Broadband Terms
Broadband for Schools

Online Phone Bills - Log-in	Audio Conferencing Phones
Phone Bills - Customer Relations Team	Request phone system extras/works
PhoneSleuth Install Guide (pdf)	Phone system programming requests
Cancelling Your Contract
Mobiles - Fleet Support

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