PSTN Switchover Could Leave People Stuck in Lifts in U.K.

The switchover from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to the digital network in the U.K., set to be complete at the end of 2025 with the copper network fully retired by 2027, could leave some people stuck in lifts, according to BT Group, outlets including the Daily Mail report. BT, the U.K.’s leading fixed and mobile communications provider, urged lift manufacturers to test equipment ahead of the move away from the U.K.’s old copper landline network. Approximately 180,000 of the 300,000 lifts in the U.K. are linked to the more than 100-year-old network. After the change to digital, people trapped in elevators might not be able to trigger alarms. “We’re calling on our critical national infrastructure customers to recognize they have an important stake in PSTN switch-off and take steps to safeguard their services now,” BT Business Chief Executive Bas Burger said.