Stannah Urges Lift Owners To Prepare for PSTN Switchover

Stannah Lifts is urging businesses and facility managers to upgrade their lift communication systems to ensure they are ready for the U.K.’s new Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) digital network ahead of the switchover from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Failing to update lift communication systems ahead of the switchover could lead to safety risks and non-compliance as lifts must have a working emergency phone system in compliance with EN 81-28. The nationwide transition to digital networks, led by Openreach, is well underway, with full migration expected to be complete by 2027 — a 13-month extension from the original deadline. GSM is a cost-effective alternative to PSTN and requires no physical phone line, observed Stannah, which offers a managed SIM service to customers looking to upgrade to GSM. GSM incorporates a battery backup to ensure continual operation during power outages.