BT has warned lift manufacturers that a switch to digital landlines may leave Brits trapped in elevators.
Manufacturers have been told to test equipment ahead the digital switchover from the UK’s old copper landline network.
Around 180,000 of the 300,000 lifts in the UK are still linked to the copper network, which is over a century old.
The switchover may see outages in which people in broken-down lifts are unable to trigger alarms.
In a letter to customers, BT warned that the analogue network is becoming ‘ever more unreliable, prone to faults and difficult to maintain’.
BT has warned lift manufacturers that a switch to digital landlines may leave Brits trapped in elevators (file image)
Manufacturers have been told to test equipment ahead the digital switchover from the UK’s old copper landline network. Around 180,000 of the 300,000 lifts in the UK are still linked to the copper network, which is over a century old (file image)
Chief Executive of BT Business, Bas Burger said: ‘We understand that your organisation is using technology that is still connected to the PSTN [Public Switched Telephone Network.
‘This might be a traditional landline, but it could also be anything from lift alarms to medical equipment. As this ageing network becomes increasingly outdated and fragile, the risk to your critical services grows.’
Fire and burglar alarms, emergency phones by roads and phonelines for GPs and pharmacies are among the vital services still using the copper network.
Outages related to the copper network increased by a fifth over the past year according to regulator Ofcom.
The switchover to the digital network is set to be completed at the end of 2025, with the cooper network to be fully retired by 2027.
It comes after safety fears were raised last year regarding the switchover when ‘telecare’ alarms, designed to call for urgent medical help, failed.
The switchover to the digital network is set to be completed at the end of 2025, with the cooper network to be fully retired by 2027 (file image)
Matthew Howett, founder and chief executive of Assembly Research, told The Telegraph: ‘Fibre does present resilience challenges itself, particularly in the context of power outages and device compatibility.’
But he added: ‘The more reliable, resilient and future-proof alternative of fibre and IP communications will ultimately mean fewer faults and outages over the longer term.’
Mr Burger added: ‘We’re calling on our critical national infrastructure customers to recognise they have an important stake in the PSTN switch-off and to take steps to safeguard their services now.
‘The old analogue network is no longer fit for purpose. The UK can’t afford to wait.’