The transition is straightforward, but the window to act is narrowing.
What the PSTN switch off means for lift telephones
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the analogue landline infrastructure that has underpinned lift emergency calls across the UK for decades. BT Openreach has confirmed the full UK PSTN switch off for December 2027 — and decommissioning is already underway in phases across the country.
For lift companies and building owners, this has one immediate consequence: any lift emergency telephone that relies on a PSTN line to make calls will fail. That includes the emergency calls that EN81-28 requires — the calls that connect trapped passengers to an alarm-receiving centre.
When is the PSTN switch off in the UK?
The UK PSTN switch off deadline is December 2027. BT Openreach confirmed this date and the rollout is happening in stages — meaning some areas have already had their PSTN lines decommissioned. If your lifts are in an area that has already switched, your PSTN-dependent emergency telephone may already be unreliable.
| Country | PSTN switch off timeline |
|---|---|
| UK (BT Openreach) | Full withdrawal — December 2027 |
| Germany | All-IP migration ongoing — 2025–2027 |
| Sweden | Telia decommission — largely complete |
| Netherlands | KPN switch off — complete |
What happens to lift telephones after the PSTN switch off?
After the PSTN switch off, any lift telephone that depends on a copper landline will be non-compliant with EN81-28. The standard requires that emergency communication is available at all times — a system that cannot make calls fails that requirement.
The liability sits with the building owner. The responsibility for ensuring a compliant, working emergency telephone sits with the installer. There is no grace period after the PSTN switch off date. The deadline is fixed.
What the replacement looks like
The replacement for a PSTN lift telephone is straightforward: a 4G, 5G or VoIP-capable emergency telephone with a reliable mobile data connection.
SafeLine SL6 supports 4G, 5G and VoIP with automatic fallback between connection types — so if one path fails, the call routes via another. There is no dependency on the building's fixed network or telephone infrastructure.
Paired with SafeLine SIM — a managed, multi-network SIM that automatically connects to the strongest available signal — the SL6 operates independently of any building infrastructure. Over 30,000 SafeLine SIMs are active across UK lifts today.
How EN81-28 compliance is handled automatically
EN81-28 requires test calls every three days to confirm the emergency communication system is operational. With SafeLine SIM, those test calls are automated and logged via SafeLine Orion — the cloud monitoring platform — at no additional charge.
No manual testing. No missed calls. A time-stamped compliance record available on demand.
How long does the transition take?
For an experienced engineer, replacing a PSTN lift telephone with SafeLine SL6 is a single-visit job. Configuration is done wirelessly via the SafeLine LYNX II mobile app — no laptop, no specialist software on site. The SIM is plug-and-play, activated and managed remotely by SafeLine's dedicated SIM team.
Act before the PSTN switch off deadline
The UK PSTN switch off is not provisional — the December 2027 deadline is confirmed, and the rollout is already underway. Lead times for replacements are increasing as the deadline approaches. Existing PSTN systems in switched areas may already be unreliable.
There is no benefit to waiting.
Download the guide
PSTN Switch Off: Your migration guide for UK lift companies
What’s inside:
→ Key dates for UK, Germany, Sweden & Netherlands
→ Why VoIP and analogue adapters fall short
→ SafeLine SL6+ overview and specs
→ 6-step migration checklist
→ EN81-28 compliance requirements
→ FAQ from installers
Frequently asked questions
A 4G, 5G or VoIP-capable emergency telephone. SafeLine SL6 supports all three connection types with automatic fallback, paired with SafeLine SIM for infrastructure-independent connectivity.
After the PSTN switch off, all copper landline-based telephone services stop working. Lift emergency telephones dependent on PSTN lines become non-functional and non-compliant with EN81-28. Building owners carry the liability for non-compliant lifts.
SafeLine SL6 is designed specifically for lift emergency communication. It supports 4G, 5G and VoIP, works with SafeLine SIM for multi-network coverage, and is configured wirelessly via the LYNX II app.
BT Openreach has confirmed the UK PSTN switch off deadline of December 2027. The rollout is phased — some areas have already been switched, meaning PSTN-dependent lift telephones in those areas are already at risk.
Yes. EN81-28 requires a two-way voice connection available at all times, including the automatic 3-day test call. After the PSTN switch off, any system that relies on a copper landline fails this requirement. SafeLine SIM automates 3-day test calls via SafeLine Orion at no additional cost — every test is logged and time-stamped.
For an experienced engineer, replacing a PSTN telephone with SafeLine SL6 is a single-visit job. Configuration is wireless via the LYNX II app, and the SIM is plug-and-play — activated and managed remotely.
