Ocean Telecom Limited, based in Bury St Edmunds, is a leading provider of business communication solutions, offering business phone systems, business internet, and business mobiles. One of their major clients operates approximately 250 lifts across the UK. With the approaching 2027 PSTN switch-off, they needed a reliable, cost-effective solution to upgrade their lift alarm communication systems. Recognising the urgency, Ocean Telecom partnered with CSL to explore VoiceLink as a solution.
The Challenge
Ocean Telecom’s customer faced a pressing need to upgrade their lift emergency alarms, which currently relied on PSTN lines. The 2027 switch-off risked rendering these systems non-compliant and potentially unsafe. The customer needed a cost-effective and simple upgrade path that would avoid the disruption and expense of rewiring or replacing their existing lift communication infrastructure.
A further operational consideration was the coordination of installation, as the lift maintenance company, responsible for fitting the devices, operated on a schedule based on routine service visits. This meant there could be a gap between activation and physical installation of the new solutions. Recognising this, Ocean Telecom worked with us to ensure that VoiceLink’s quick and easy installation – which can be carried out during a standard maintenance visit – would align with the existing servicing schedule, helping to keep the overall transition smooth and efficient.
Our Solution
To meet the client’s needs, Ocean Telecom deployed CSL’s scalable VoiceLink solution:
VoiceLink connects lift alarms directly to mobile networks, eliminating the reliance on PSTN lines and ensuring compliance with new connectivity standards. The system’s plug-and-play nature means it can be installed quickly and easily during a routine lift maintenance visit, avoiding costly rewiring and minimising disruption to operations.
Ocean Telecom’s process includes activating VoiceLink units and giving their customer a one-month window to coordinate with the lift maintenance company for installation. This approach streamlines deployment and ensures that installations can be completed without additional visits or delays.
A key advantage of VoiceLink is its advanced web portal, which gives Ocean Telecom and their customer full visibility and control over all devices. Through this portal, they can monitor the status of each unit in real time, receiving alerts on connection issues, power levels, and battery status. The system also offers the flexibility to customise settings such as outgoing numbers, battery alerts, and periodic test calls, providing a tailored solution to meet the customer’s specific requirements.
Value Delivered
- Compliance and Reliability: VoiceLink ensures lift alarm systems remain compliant and operational in the all-IP era, addressing the challenges of the PSTN switch-off.
- Cost Savings: Eliminates the need for rewiring, cutting installation and maintenance costs.
- Operational Efficiency: Quick, simple installation during routine lift maintenance reduces delays and improves workflow.
- Enhanced Monitoring and Control: The web portal enables both Ocean Telecom and their customer to monitor device health, reducing downtime and improving response times.
- Future-Proofing: With approximately 300,000 lifts in the UK relying on PSTN-connected alarms, VoiceLink ensures these systems remain connected, compliant, and aligned with safety standards for years to come.
Explore how VoiceLink can deliver seamless and secure connectivity for your business.
