PSTN ‘Landlines’ or analogue lines are used widely to provide connectivity for emergency lift communications systems, to meet the needs of EN 81-28. These services will be ceased on 31^st January 2027 as a result of the UK’s telephone network – the Public Switched telephone Network -(PSTN) closing down.

Accordingly, to maintain your clients’ compliance, they need to be migrated to a new communications products.

Talking with your client now is urgent, as putting in place alternate arrangements may be a lengthy process, especially for large lift estates.

No. Managed connectivity supports lift contractors by ensuring the emergency communication pathway remains operational. Mechanical servicing, safety inspections, and contract responsibility remain with you.

Autodiallers with PSTN lines use a signalling protocol known as Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF). These signals are used during call set up, during a call and at call closure. They are designed to work over analogue networks and do not readily work in a digital or IP environment.

Alternate solutions need to work in a consistent manner across all Communication Provider networks. The use of analogue to digital converters, to avoid the need to replace hardware is not recommended as these have been proven not to work consistently across different Communication Provider’s access networks.

Digital, IP or cellular services require local power, because power is not fed down ‘the line’. In a localised power cut this means service will stop working unless a battery backup or UPS or in place.

Moving to a managed connectivity solution has no impact on the complexity of the solution. Indeed, they will bring additional benefits through central monitoring of each lift, identifying & initiating remedial action to any faults that arise. This means engineers can focus on their core responsibility – mechanical and safety servicing.

With a managed service, SIM status and battery resilience are monitored automatically. Alerts are issued if an issue arises, reducing the need for manual checks.

Connectivity management is designed to complement service contracts by reducing communication-related faults and protecting performance against avoidable failures.

PSTN lines benefit from power being provided down the line from telephone exchanges, meaning that in the event of a power cut, these lines continue to function. Digital fixed line and cellular solutions require local powering and so power back-up must be implemented to maintain compliance.

By reducing communication failures and improving visibility, managed connectivity helps contractors maintain service reliability and strengthen long-term client relationships.