One of the biggest challenges in the transition from analogue to digital communications is the lack of awareness among end users and poor coordination between stakeholders, according to Matthew Davies, business development manager for digital and services at Avire.
He added that many property managers and businesses are unaware of the urgency, assuming they have time until the 2027 deadline.
Davies (pictured right) said that, in reality, changes are already taking place, leading to unexpected failures. Unlike Australia, which managed a well-coordinated transition, he said that the UK lacks government-led efforts, leaving industry bodies and telecom providers to drive awareness.
“The absence of clear messaging has led to real-world consequences, particularly in lift safety systems,” said Davies. “There have been cases where buildings unknowingly had their phone lines switched, resulting in failed emergency alarms.
“In one extreme case, forty-five lifts in a London residential building lost alarm functionality. The lack of coordination between maintenance teams and telecom providers delayed the solution, putting residents at risk.”
Davies said that the lift industry and telecom providers have worked in silos in the past, sometimes blaming each other when issues arise. However, this transition has highlighted the need for strong partnerships and coordination between industries to prevent mistakes, reduce downtime and ensure safety.
Impact on providers
Davies said that a recurring issue is many organisations only act when problems arise. This reactive approach, he said, can lead to rushed decisions, often based on immediate cost rather than long-term resilience and suitability. As a result, some providers opt for quick fixes, instead of long-term solutions.
Many organisations are also installing solutions without fully considering long-term maintenance. For example, Davies said some backup power solutions rely on batteries that require monitoring and replacement, yet there is no structured plan to ensure that.
Research within the lift industry has highlighted failures in backup battery systems. A comprehensive audit carried out in 2023 across 2,600 lifts revealed that 22 per cent had faults, with 84 per cent of those attributed to battery power failures.
Specifically, 46 per cent of these battery failures were linked to autodialler emergency communication systems. This means that approximately 18.5 per cent of emergency batteries may be ineffective at any given time, and 10 per cent of autodiallers could be inoperative during a mains power failure.
Davies said that these statistics highlight the risks associated with poor monitoring and maintenance, not just in the lift shaft, but across the wider communication paths, and also emphasise the importance of proactive planning.
“In some cases, property managers are struggling to transition entire buildings because they lack a strategy for lifts,” said Davies. “Delaying upgrades because of lift lines has held back broader digital transitions, impacting hundreds of lines in some cases. Temporary solutions can lead to repeated costs when full upgrades become necessary later.”
Another key consideration, according to Davies, is the need for transitioning early. With resources and skilled personnel limited, delaying action will only increase risks.
As the deadline approaches, Davies warned that a surge in demand could lead to a shortage of qualified engineers and equipment, causing further delays and potential safety risks. By contrast, he said organisations that act early will avoid last-minute bottlenecks and rushed, suboptimal solutions.
Mobile alternatives
Davies said that one of the key learnings from deployment is that GSM (mobile network-based) solutions can be a reliable alternative. While there were concerns about signal reliability, he said that fewer than five per cent of deployments have faced significant signal issues.
In addition, the most challenging sites were not remote rural locations, Davies said, but tall buildings in urban areas. Proper site surveys and antenna placement have resolved most signal-related problems, he said.
Avire has deployed GSM solutions for housing associations in rural Aberdeenshire, through to commercial buildings in London. These real-world deployments demonstrate the reliability and flexibility of GSM when planned and implemented correctly.
“The transition to digital communications is inevitable and organisations must take proactive steps to prepare,” said Davies.
“Awareness, planning, and collaboration between industries are key to ensuring a smooth transition. The most successful transitions will come from those who address the issue now, rather than waiting for failures to force their hand.”
This interview was included in our April 2025 print issue. You can read the magazine in full here.