How Will the PSTN Switch Off Affect Your Lift

The Public Switched Telephone Network is an analog circuit-switched telephone network that continues to cross the globe. This network of copper wires connecting to telephone exchanges was first developed in late 1800s. It allowed people to communicate over long distances in real-time. PSTN can also be known as landlines or Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), depending on its use. Although PSTN is still widely used for basic communication, it has been replaced by newer technologies. 

How do I turn off the PSTN? 

Openreach, the corporation responsible for maintaining the UK's telephone infrastructure, announced that the traditional copper-based telephony lines (including PSTN lines) would be phased out by December 2025. 

Other affected telephony services are Integrated Services Digital Network lines (IDSN), and Wholesale Line Rentals (WLR). For many years, no new analogue lines have been installed in the UK. However, due to a rolling program for telephone exchanges and a national "stop sale" plan, a total national "stop-sell" is planned for September 2023. Analogue telephone lines will be withdrawn completely by 2025. 

Openreach will prioritise development of optical fibre networks to provide high-speed broadband access in the United Kingdom. Openreach hopes to meet its target of 85% of UK premises having access to gigabit broadband by 2025. 

Which services will be affected by 

Providers often mention WLR, PSTN and ISDN-based products like home landlines or office phones systems when they discuss the PSTN switchover. Voice-based telephony services such as home landlines and office phone systems will be replaced by Voice over Internet Protocol technology (VoIP) and SIP trunking to PBX telephone system. However, voice services will not be the only technology affected. 

Anything that depends on an analog phone line to function includes panic alarms, burglar alarms and emergency alarms in lifts. Information displays, traffic lights and some door and gate entry systems as well as CCTV systems and point of-sale payments terminals are all included. They will cease to work if they aren't upgraded to digital connectivity in the next few years. 

Your telecommunications provider will notify you 12 months in advance of your pstn switched off process is on course of completion. To avoid making a rush decision, it is best to begin looking for the right solution as soon as possible. 

How it will impact your lift 

All passenger lifts in the UK that were installed after 1999 must have an emergency alarm as part of the Remote Alarm on Passenger and Goods Passenger Lifts Standards EN81-28 (2003). An auto-dialler allows two-way communication between passengers and rescue services. This is typically done by the lift service provider. An Openreach socket is used to connect the auto-dialler hardware to a telephone line. 

Auto-diallers can use either analogue dial tones or dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF), signals to function. Auto-diallers converted to VOIP might not be able to dial the emergency number if there is no PSTN line. Auto-diallers that draw power directly from the telephone line won't work. 

Many telephone communication providers offer analogue converter sockets as part of their internet routers for digital VOIP services. This will not work for all devices, particularly those that require failsafe operation in the event of power outages, such as lift alarms or emergency alarms. The router that transmits the VOIP signal must have an uninterrupted power supply in order to allow it to function seamlessly. 

You must plan and manage the transition of your lift's alarm from analogue phone lines into digital options in order to keep your passengers safe. 

An emergency alarm that is not functional during a 3-day test under EN81-28 regulations will be declared non-compliant. Lift owners and facility managers must act quickly before PSTN lines are cut off. 

Preventing Lift Switch Off with a Managed SIM Solution 

VOIP isn't the only way to ensure your emergency line remains operational 24 hours a days, 7 days a semaine. GSM, also known as mobile or cell telephony, is a cost-effective and reliable digital solution for most lifts. 

A GSM module can be installed without the need to have physical lines or installations. It can also be battery-backed to ensure that you are protected in case of power failure. A roaming SIM allows you to connect freely to the best network and maintains signal strength.