Keep Your Lift Connected After the Analogue Switch-Off

By January 2027, the UK’s traditional landline network (PSTN) will be permanently switched off. While this may not sound like a big change, for many lifts it could mean that the emergency telephone stops working overnight.

Why It Matters

Lift emergency phones were often designed to run on analogue landlines. Once these are switched off, any lift still using them will no longer be able to make emergency calls. This puts passengers at risk and building owners in danger of:

- Non-compliance with EN 81-28 safety standards

- Failed inspections and potential fines

- Invalidated insurance policies

Some regions have already begun switching away from analogue, so lifts could be affected well before 2027.

How to Check Your Lift

Not sure what system you have? A quick check can tell you:

- Analogue (PSTN): plugs into a standard phone socket – common before 2015.

- Digital/VoIP: runs through your building’s broadband, usually via a router.

- GSM (SIM-based): works like a mobile phone, with an antenna or signal light inside the panel.

If you’re unsure, you can send a photo of your lift’s control panel for confirmation.

The Solution

There are straightforward upgrade options to make sure your lift stays safe and compliant:

- Digital Line Adaptation – connect via broadband

- GSM Emergency Autodialler – independent, SIM-based system

- Full Replacement – brand-new compliant unit for older lifts

All solutions include installation, compliance testing and a battery backup so the emergency phone works even during a power cut.

Read more about the switch-off: https://platformliftassist.co.uk/digital-switch/