The UK’s analogue telephone network is being switched off by 31 January 2027. Known as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the existing network is being replaced by digital phone services such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and other All-IP technologies.
The change affects far more than traditional landline telephones. Any equipment that still relies on an analogue phone line may need to be upgraded, including alarm systems, door entry systems and, critically for building owners and property managers, lift emergency communication systems and auto diallers.
For lift owners, the approaching PSTN switch off therefore creates an important question: will passengers still be able to call for assistance if they become trapped?
And with older mobile networks also being retired, replacing an analogue connection with older GSM technology may no longer provide a suitably future-proof solution.
When is the analogue switch off in the UK?
The final deadline for migration from the Openreach PSTN network is 31 January 2027. The transition is already taking place, with telecoms providers gradually moving customers away from traditional analogue landlines onto digital services.
The deadline was previously expected to be December 2025, which is why older information about the analogue phone switch off may still refer to 2025.
However, businesses and building owners should not treat the new 2027 deadline as a reason to delay. Migration is taking place progressively and an individual building could be transferred to digital services before the final national deadline.
For properties containing lifts, it is therefore important to identify any lift equipment that still depends on a PSTN line and establish an appropriate replacement strategy.
Why does the PSTN switch off affect lifts?
Passenger lifts rely on an emergency communication system so that anyone trapped inside the lift can contact a rescue service or other responsible party.
Modern lift alarm systems are covered by requirements including BS EN 81-28, which sets out requirements relating to remote alarm systems for passenger and goods passenger lifts.
Traditionally, many lift auto diallers have been connected directly to an analogue telephone line. When a passenger presses the alarm button, the system uses this connection to establish two-way communication with the appropriate response service.
Once that analogue line is migrated to a digital service, an older lift auto dialler may no longer function correctly unless the communication system has been adapted or replaced.
This makes the digital phone switchover an important consideration for lift safety and lift management, rather than simply an IT or telecoms issue.
How does a lift auto dialler work?
A lift auto dialler forms part of the lift’s emergency communication system.
If passengers become trapped, pressing the lift alarm button activates the communication system and connects them with a rescue service, maintenance provider or designated response centre.
This provides reassurance to the passengers while also allowing the responding organisation to establish where assistance is required and arrange their release.
Historically, many lift auto diallers used a dedicated PSTN landline. More recent systems may instead communicate using a mobile network or an IP connection.
It is therefore important to establish which technology each lift within your building or portfolio currently uses.
Will my existing lift auto dialler stop working?
Not necessarily, but any lift emergency phone or auto dialler connected to an analogue landline should be reviewed before that line is migrated.
Digital landlines operate differently from the traditional PSTN network. Simply connecting older analogue equipment to a new digital phone service does not guarantee that the equipment will continue to operate as intended.
Openreach recommends checking whether specialist equipment connected to an existing analogue line will be compatible with the new technology and speaking with the equipment supplier where necessary.
For lift owners, this means the communication system should be tested and assessed rather than assuming that it will continue to operate after the landline switch off.
What happens during a power cut?
Power resilience is another important consideration when moving away from PSTN.
Traditional analogue telephone services could receive power through the telephone network itself. Digital communication equipment usually depends on locally powered equipment such as routers, network terminals or other hardware.
During a building power failure, these components may also stop operating unless a suitable backup power supply has been provided.
This is particularly important for lifts because a loss of power could potentially result in an entrapment at the same time that passengers need the emergency communication system.
Any IP-based replacement should therefore be assessed as an entire communication route, considering the power resilience of every component required for the emergency call to be completed.
Can I use an analogue-to-digital converter?
In some circumstances, it may be possible to retain existing analogue lift equipment using an analogue-to-digital adaptor or converter.
However, compatibility alone should not be the only consideration.
The lift owner should also establish whether the complete communication system will continue operating during a power failure and whether the converter, router, network equipment and any other relevant components are supported by an appropriate backup supply.
For some buildings, an IP-based solution may be suitable. For others, moving away from the building’s fixed telephone infrastructure altogether may provide a more practical solution.
The right approach will depend on the existing lift equipment, building infrastructure and level of resilience required.
What about GSM lift auto diallers?
Mobile communication has already become a common alternative to fixed telephone lines for lifts.
However, there is another significant technology change that lift owners now need to consider.
The UK’s 3G mobile networks have now been switched off, while the remaining 2G networks are also due to be retired. Ofcom advises that older devices which cannot operate using 4G or 5G will need to be upgraded. Lift alarms are specifically identified by government guidance as one of the types of equipment that can still rely on older mobile networks.
EE currently plans to begin retiring 2G nationally from May 2029, O2 from summer 2029 and VodafoneThree during 2030.
This means that replacing an analogue lift telephone with a 2G-only GSM unit could simply create another upgrade requirement within the next few years.
If you are investing in a new mobile communication system now, a future-ready solution capable of operating using 4G with VoLTE, or an appropriate IP-based communication system, should therefore be considered.
Should I replace a 2G lift alarm now?
If an existing lift communication system relies solely on 2G, it is worth identifying it as part of your communications strategy now.
There is still time before the UK’s remaining 2G networks begin shutting down, but building owners managing multiple lifts or properties could have a significant number of devices to inspect, budget for and upgrade.
Government guidance published in 2026 specifically recommends checking equipment such as lift alarms and upgrading devices that will not work using 4G or 5G.
For property portfolios in particular, addressing both the PSTN switch off and future 2G retirement as part of the same review can help avoid replacing communication equipment twice.
Is 4G suitable for a lift emergency phone?
A 4G mobile solution can avoid reliance on the building’s traditional landline infrastructure, but it still needs to be properly assessed for the individual lift and building.
Mobile signal strength can be challenging within lift wells, basements and heavily constructed buildings. The location of the communication equipment and aerial can therefore make a significant difference.
The system should also use appropriate battery backup so that the lift emergency communication remains available if mains power is lost.
Compatibility with VoLTE, or Voice over LTE, is particularly important where voice calls are being carried over a 4G network.
Simply specifying a device as “4G capable” is not necessarily enough. The complete emergency communication process needs to be considered, from the lift car through to the organisation receiving the call.
What should lift owners do before the analogue switch off?
The first step is to understand what is currently installed.
For an individual building, this may be relatively straightforward. For landlords, managing agents and organisations responsible for large lift portfolios, the process can become considerably more complicated.
You should establish:
- which lifts still use a PSTN or other analogue telephone line
- which lifts currently rely on 2G mobile communication
- whether existing equipment can support 4G and VoLTE
- whether an IP-based solution is appropriate
- what backup power provision is available
- whether sufficient mobile signal is available at the lift
- how the system is monitored, tested and maintained
Once this information is available, an appropriate migration plan can be developed rather than waiting for individual communication systems to fail.
Don’t wait until your lift alarm stops working
The analogue phone switch off is not simply a change to office or domestic telephone services. For buildings containing lifts, it can directly affect one of the systems passengers rely upon in an emergency.
With the PSTN deadline now set for 31 January 2027, building and lift owners should establish whether their lift communications remain dependent on an analogue phone line and plan any necessary upgrades in advance.
At the same time, the retirement of 3G and forthcoming withdrawal of 2G means that an upgrade should not simply replace one ageing technology with another.
Considering 4G/VoLTE or suitable IP-based lift communication solutions now can help create a more resilient and future-ready approach.
Need help reviewing your lift communications?
ILECS provides independent lift consultancy and lift management support to building owners, property managers and organisations responsible for lift portfolios.
If you are unsure whether your existing lift auto diallers will be affected by the PSTN switch off, our consultants can help you review your existing equipment, understand the options available and plan the most appropriate approach for your lifts.
Call 01206 399555 or book a free consultation to speak to our team about your lift communication requirements.