{"id":11219,"date":"2026-01-16T09:29:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T08:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.avire-global.com\/en-uk\/articles\/?p=11219"},"modified":"2026-01-16T11:04:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T10:04:24","slug":"pstn-switch-off-guide-for-housing-providers-lift-emergency-communications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.avire-global.com\/en-uk\/articles\/pstn-switch-off-guide-for-housing-providers-lift-emergency-communications\/","title":{"rendered":"PSTN Switch-off and Lift Emergency Communications: A Guide for Housing Providers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The UK\u2019s analogue telephone network is being switched off by January 2027<\/a>. While the deadline may feel distant, its impact on lift emergency communications is already being felt, particularly in the social housing sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

England\u2019s social housing sector comprises around 4.5 million homes<\/a>, including local authority housing and properties owned by housing associations. In many of these buildings, lifts are not a convenience, they are essential for accessibility, independence and safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many lifts still rely on analogue phone lines to support two-way emergency alarms. As these lines are migrated or withdrawn, alarms can fail silently, leaving residents at risk and housing providers exposed to serious compliance and liability issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For social housing organisations responsible for vulnerable residents, this is not simply a technology upgrade. It is a safety-critical issue that requires urgent, structured action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Analogue Switch Off in the UK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
00<\/span>Days<\/span><\/div>
00<\/span>Hours<\/span><\/div>
00<\/span>Minutes<\/span><\/div>
00<\/span>Seconds<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Why This Matters<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Historically, lift alarms have relied on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to provide a reliable dial tone. As analogue lines are replaced with digital services, that reliability can no longer be assumed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When analogue lines are migrated without proper planning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n