FEATURE Q&A: THE PSTN SWITCHOVER
Dan White, Service Director at Stannah Lifts, addresses the most common questions about the upcoming PSTN switch-off and explains how the transition will affect lifts, providing guidance to help facility managers prepare for the change.
Q: What is the PSTN switch-over? The PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) is the traditional copper-wire telephone system that has been in use for decades. Telecom providers are phasing it out and moving to optical fibre networks due to the growing demand for high-speed communication. This means all voice services will be delivered over broadband or mobile networks rather than through copper lines.
Q: How does switching off the PSTN
lines affect lifts? Most lifts are fitted with emergency telephones that connect passengers to a 24/7 monitoring centre via PSTN landlines. Many existing lift auto-diallers depend on analogue dial tones and DTMF signals carried by the PSTN lines, which don’t work when converted to digital alternatives like VoIP or cloud telephony due to the lack of a dial tone.
Once the PSTN is switched off, these phone lines will stop working unless they are migrated to digital alternatives.
Q: When is the PSTN switch-off
happening? The phased switch is already underway, with many providers having shut down PSTN services and migrated customers to digital ahead of the deadline. BT Openreach originally planned to switch off the PSTN lines by December 2025. However, this has been extended to 31 January 2027.
The 13-month extension of the digital switchover date is misleading, as it suggests a single nationwide switch to digital networks when the rollout began in 2018. Openreach's switch-off aligns with the government's goal of gigabit-speed broadband for 85% of UK premises by 2027.
Q: What are the risks if lift phone
lines are not upgraded? If lift communication systems are not upgraded, they pose serious safety risks. Trapped passengers may be unable to call for help during an emergency, especially if emergency phones fail in a power cut or stop functioning altogether. This not only endangers passenger safety but also puts the building at risk of non-compliance with lift safety standards such as EN 81-28. Failure to comply could result in lifts being shut down and declared non-compliant.
Q: What is the alternative to PSTN lines? GSM, or mobile cloud telephony, is a cost-effective phone line alternative to PSTN. It is best used with a managed SIM service to ensure reliable signals, compliance with 3-day auto-dialler checks and uninterrupted service. While telecom providers offer analogue converter sockets, they are not universally reliable, especially for emergency alarms needing failsafe operation during outages. Even with adaptors like analogue telephone adaptors (ATA), optical fibre networks may not always be compatible with existing lift alarm systems.
Q: What is a Managed SIM Service? Our Managed SIM Service offers several benefits for lifts transitioning to digital, particularly for facility managers in multi-occupancy buildings. It offers 24/7 connectivity monitoring, ensuring that the emergency communication line is always operational and provides strong signal reliability with a roaming SIM that connects to the best possible network. With a Managed SIM Service there is no need for physical phone lines as a GSM module can be easily installed and battery-backed to provide a failsafe in the event of a power outage.
Q: How should facility managers prepare for the PSTN to GSM transition? Lift owners should contact their lift maintenance provider now to understand what communication system and hardware is needed to upgrade to digital. Each lift’s upgrade requirements are unique and range from minor adjustments to more extensive modifications. Facility managers should therefore factor in time for assessment, budgeting and implementation. Those still waiting for the changeover should act now, as providers may give just two weeks' notice, while upgrading a lift to a new GSM line can take longer.
While some upgrades may be required to move from PSTN to GSM, this telephony system is a cost-effective and long- term investment with significant savings. We encourage lift owners to transition sooner rather than later to ensure lifts remain operational.
www.stannahlifts.co.uk
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