How the PSTN switch over will affect your lift?

Did you know that your old analogue phone line to your business will be turned off by 2025? Are you ready for the effects that this will have on your systems within your business? 

So, what is the PTSN switch over? 

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch over is a change that is taking place in the United Kingdom. The PSTN is an analogue phone line system that has been used for communication for many years. However, with the rise of new technologies, PSTN has started to decline. Openreach is responsible for maintaining the UK's telephone network, and in 2021 announced that the traditional copper-based PSTN lines will be phased out by the end of 2025. 

The PSTN switch off will allow Openreach to prioritize the development of high-speed optical fibre networks for broadband in the UK. This change will impact many telephony-based products, including home landlines, office phone systems, and emergency alarms in lifts. Voice services will be largely replaced by VoIP technology, but other devices that rely on PSTN lines will also be affected, such as older CCTV systems. 

Before your PSTN line is deactivated, you should receive a notification from your telecom service provider. However, we recommended to start searching for a solution sooner rather than later to avoid a rushed decision-making process. 

The emergency alarms in lifts installed since 1999 in the UK must have an emergency alarm under EN81-28 regulations. These alarms are connected to PSTN lines and use an auto-dialler to communicate with a rescue service. With the PSTN switch off, the auto-diallers that use analogue dial tone will fail to work, leaving your lift without any capability to contact the 24 hour rescue service in an emergency. Most telecom providers could offer an analogue converter, but they may not be the best solution for emergency alarms that require failsafe operation in the event of a power outage. 

A better solution is a managed SIM card solution using GSM technology. This is a digital solution that is reliable and cost-effective. A GSM module can be installed in the lift without the need for physical phone lines, and it can be battery-backed for a failsafe in case of a power outage. The signal strength can also be maintained with a roaming SIM that connects to the best available network. A managed SIM solution can be monitored remotely and will send alerts if anything is not working properly. 

Caledonian Lifts Manchester is pleased to present you with a straightforward, managed SIM card and GSM upgrade option for your existing auto-dialler. This solution can be quickly installed with minimal disruption to your lift operations and will result in significant cost savings for your business.

To prevent the switch off of your lift's emergency alarm, consider the benefits of a managed SIM card solution. This will provide hassle-free and cost-effective communication for your lift, keeping your passengers safe and your lift compliant with current regulations. 

For a bespoke quotation to suit your building conditions, contact a member of our customer support team on 0161 425 8441 or ManchesterAdmin@CaledonianLifts.net

(For more information on the PSTN Switch Over read, BT’s Digital Release)