PSTN Switch-Off — Is Your Intruder Alarm Still Monitoring?
Analogue telephone lines are being disconnected across the UK. Intruder alarms relying on PSTN signalling are losing their ARC connection — and their police response.
Openreach's analogue PSTN telephone network is being switched off across the UK — and any intruder alarm using a phone line to signal an Alarm Receiving Centre is at risk of losing its monitoring path. Over 51% of UK exchanges have already stopped new PSTN connections. When the line goes, the alarm still sounds locally, but no signal reaches the ARC, no keyholder is contacted and no police response is dispatched. Many businesses don't realise their monitoring has been affected until after an incident. SPS Technical audits existing signalling paths and migrates systems to IP or 4G dual-path signalling across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Humber.
The problem
Openreach's switch-off of the analogue PSTN telephone network is already underway, with over 51% of UK exchanges now stopped for new PSTN connections. When the line goes, any intruder alarm using it to signal an Alarm Receiving Centre loses its monitoring path. The alarm still sounds locally — but no signal reaches the ARC, no keyholder is contacted, and no police response is dispatched. Many businesses don't know their signalling path has been affected until after an incident.
What Happens When Your PSTN Signalling Path Fails
The PSTN switch-off is not a sudden event — it happens exchange by exchange, and many businesses only discover their monitoring has been affected when something goes wrong. The sequence of consequences is predictable and serious.
The PSTN switch-off
Is your alarm still monitoring?
Openreach's analogue telephone network switch-off is already underway. Any intruder alarm using a phone line to signal an Alarm Receiving Centre follows this path.
Risk indicators
How to Tell If Your System Is at Risk
If your intruder alarm uses a BT or analogue telephone line to contact your monitoring centre, or if your alarm panel has a built-in dialler rather than an IP or 4G communicator, your signalling path is at risk. SPS Technical can audit your existing setup and confirm whether a migration is needed.
The solution
How the Migration Works
In most cases, migration to IP or 4G dual-path signalling does not require replacing the entire alarm system. A new communicator is fitted to the existing panel, tested and registered with the ARC. The process is straightforward and causes minimal disruption to your monitoring coverage during the transition.
Signalling audit
We identify your current transmission path and check exchange status
Communicator selection
IP, 4G or dual-path communicator specified to EN50136
Installation
New communicator fitted to existing panel in most cases — no full system replacement needed
ARC reconnection
Monitoring restored and dual-path signalling confirmed
Compliance verification
EN50136 certificate issued, police URN status confirmed
Signalling audit
We identify your current transmission path and check exchange status
Communicator selection
IP, 4G or dual-path communicator specified to EN50136
Installation
New communicator fitted to existing panel in most cases — no full system replacement needed
ARC reconnection
Monitoring restored and dual-path signalling confirmed
Compliance verification
EN50136 certificate issued, police URN status confirmed
PSTN Switch-Off Risk Checker
Enter your postcode and current signalling type to get an initial indication of your alarm signalling risk from the PSTN switch-off. No account needed — results in under 2 minutes.
Takes 2 minutes — no account needed. Results are indicative only.
Knowledge Centre
Related Technical Guides
Emergency Intruder Alarm Repair and Maintenance: A Business Guide
A practical guide to commercial intruder alarm faults, emergency repair, planned maintenance, signalling issues, system takeovers and reducing security downtime.
Commercial Intruder Alarm Systems: A Business & Facilities Manager's Guide
A practical guide for business owners and facilities managers on choosing a commercial intruder alarm, including risk, Grades 2 and 3, monitoring, police response, SSAIB certification, integration and lifecycle maintenance.
Request a signalling audit
We'll check your current signalling path, assess your exchange status and advise on the migration options available.
Request a signalling audit