The withdrawal of analogue telephone services (PSTN and ISDN) is underway across the UK. As these legacy landlines are permanently switched off, many building systems that rely on them will stop functioning.
For property managers and managing agents, this is not just a telecoms issue, it is a building operations, compliance, and resident-experience issue.
If your developments still operate intercoms, door entry systems, lift auto diallers, or alarm signalling via analogue lines, those systems will require upgrading.
The key question is not if action is needed but when and how it should be managed.
Why This Matters for Residential and Mixed-Use Developments
Many residential blocks and managed estates still rely on PSTN-connected systems for:
- Door entry and apartment intercoms
- Lift emergency phones
- Gate and barrier entry systems
- Fire and intruder alarm signalling
- Concierge-linked communication systems
Once the analogue line is withdrawn:
- Residents may be unable to receive intercom calls
- Emergency lift communication could fail
- Remote access to systems may be lost
- Maintenance providers may be unable to repair legacy connections
- This can quickly become a disruption issue and in some cases, a compliance concern.
Planned transition is always preferable to reactive replacement.
The Risks of Waiting
For managing agents overseeing multiple properties, the withdrawal can create operational pressure if not addressed early.
Risks include:
- Unexpected system outages
- Resident complaints and reputational damage
- Emergency call failures
- Budget strain from urgent unplanned upgrades
- Difficulty sourcing replacement parts for legacy equipment
A structured review now allows upgrades to be scheduled sensibly within maintenance cycles and capital expenditure planning.
Upgrade Options – No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
Every property is different. The right approach depends on infrastructure, leaseholder expectations, signal availability, and future asset plans.
- 4G Connectivity Upgrades
Some existing intercom systems can be converted to operate via 4G, provided mobile signal strength is adequate.
This can be a cost-effective interim or medium-term solution where:
- The existing system hardware is still serviceable
- Full IP infrastructure is not yet available
- A quicker upgrade is required
- IP-Based Intercom Systems
For long-term resilience, many developments are choosing to migrate to fully IP-based entry systems.
Benefits include:
- Digital, future-proof connectivity
- Integration with access control and CCTV
- Improved reliability
- Remote diagnostics and management
- Greater scalability for larger developments
This is often the most sustainable approach for modern residential schemes.
- PBX-Connected Systems
Where systems operate through a building PBX, alternative digital configurations may be available. These must be assessed case-by-case to ensure compatibility with fibre or VoIP services.
How Future Security Supports Property Managers
Future Security works with property managers, estate managers, and managing agents to ensure a smooth transition away from analogue dependency.
We provide:
- Site audits across portfolios
- Identification of analogue-connected systems
- Clear risk assessment reports
- Costed upgrade options
- 4G conversion where appropriate
- Full IP intercom design and installation
- Planned upgrade scheduling to reduce disruption
- Ongoing maintenance and support
Our approach is practical and consultative. We understand the importance of balancing compliance, resident experience, and budget management.
Whether managing a single block or a multi-site portfolio, we help ensure communication and entry systems remain fully operational beyond the PSTN switch-off.
A Proactive Approach Protects Residents and Assets
For property managers and agents, this transition presents an opportunity:
- Improve reliability
- Reduce long-term maintenance costs
- Modernise ageing infrastructure
- Future-proof assets
The most effective strategy is early assessment and structured implementation — not reactive replacement once services fail.
If you are reviewing properties with legacy analogue connections, Future Security can help you assess your exposure, prioritise sites, and implement the right upgrade pathway for each development.
Contact our team today to discuss how the PSTN and ISDN switch-off may affect your portfolio.