The digital switch is already taking place across the UK.
The digital switch refers to the ongoing changes to the UK telecoms network in which fibre lines are being rolled out across the country to replace copper lines.
This means the end of analogue (PSTN and ISDN) telephone services and the transition to fibre optic lines. While this is great news for internet speed, the digital switch will have a huge impact on key safety devices that will no longer be supported, including lift emergency phones.
Read more about the digital switch in our full guide which discusses the transition from analogue to fibre.
We are proud to support the Fit to Switch campaign as a National Champion Sponsor, and are committed to raising awareness about the PSTN switch-off and its imminent impact on critical lift emergency communications.
The Digital Switch and Lift Alarms | Official DSIT Guidance
The UK is preparing for the retirement of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which will be fully switched off by January 2027. This change affects all services that currently rely on analogue phone lines, including lift emergency alarm systems.
To support building owners, facility managers, and the lift industry, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), in collaboration with the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), has released an official letter with impartial guidance on the transition.
Ensure resilience of emergency telephones in lifts
The change from copper to fibre lines will affect the resilience of lift emergency phone lines – particularly during power failures, which is the most likely time when an entrapment may occur. Discover UK’s only pro-actively managed, resilient lift emergency connection service: SENTINEL.
Navigating the digital switch over
Tobias, a Telecommunications Engineer, sees the risks of the switch-off, so he’s offering reliable digital services to keep customers connected.
Bridgette, a Building Portfolio Manager, recognises the compliance challenges, so she’s ensuring her lifts stay safe and digitally connected.
Liam, a Lift Service Technician, knows analogue systems are becoming obsolete, so he’s upgrading to secure digital solutions.
What’s the timeline?
The Digital Switch is currently underway and national stop sell of analogue lines is now in force.
Stop sell essentially means the end to new analogue services, but that’s not all…
…it also means that under the following conditions you’ll get fibre (whether you asked for it or not)!
- Change of communication provider (aka “name on your bill“)
- Working line take over (“lines moving between owners”)
This means you may already have fibre lines supporting your lifts.
Enter your postcode to check your buildings exchange coverage:
Data source: Live data feed provided by www.openreach.co.uk.
Analogue Switch Off in the UK
Contact us
