Migration to Digital ‘ALL IP’ Network: Latest Openreach ‘Stop-Sell’ Update

The UK’s switchover from PSTN for voice communications, to Internet Protocol (IP) for voice data, utilising a fibre optic based network, is continuing at pace, with Openreach’s phased ‘stop-sell’ project discontinuing the supply of new PSTN lines and reconnections.

The change to ‘All IP’ is likely to have an impact on remotely monitored alarm systems in terms of equipment compatibility and/or disruption to the alarm monitoring when migration to ‘All IP’ takes place.

456 exchanges are included on the current ‘stop sell’ list, with 256 planned to be implemented during the remainder of this year. A further 4 have also been removed from the list. PSTN lines will no longer be available in ‘stop sell’ areas. This means not only new PSTN lines will no longer be available, but the re-connection of existing lines will also cease, for example, where there is a change of tenant or home owner or where the tenant or home owner changes the communications provider.

NSI approved companies should refer to latest Circular Letter 003 22  in the Approved Company Login area for further information on the ‘stop sell’ list of affected areas.

Domestic and commercial customers of NSI approved installers with a remotely monitored alarm system should be reassured they will be contacted by their installer if their alarm system will be affected by the changes.

More information regarding the migration of PSTN lines to the digital ‘All IP’ network can be found here or via Openreach at: https://www.openreach.com/upgrading-the-UK-to-digital-phone-lines/industry