NSI Approved Company Preparations for the PSTN to Digital All IP Migration

To satisfy the demand for faster data transmission speeds, public communications providers in the UK are switching from a dependency on PSTN for voice communications to Internet Protocol (IP) for voice and data, utilising a fibre optic based network.

It is estimated 4 million data over voice systems in the UK currently use PSTN as their method of communication. Due to the protocols used by many alarm signalling devices installed in customers’ premises today designed to specifically work on a PSTN, it is likely that a large number of these devices will not be compatible with the All IP network leaving customers’ sites unprotected.

Migration started in June this year and is scheduled for completion by 2025.

The transition to All-IP is likely to have a significant impact on users and installers of electronic security and fire alarm systems and NSI recently issued Technical Bulletin 0061 to assist NSI NACOSS Gold, Fire Gold, Systems Silver and Fire Silver approved companies in their preparedness.

Technical Bulletin 0061 provides NSI approved companies with additional background information on the PSTN to All IP migration and its impact, the timelines for completion of the rollout and the mandatory preparatory actions they must complete to minimise disruption for their customers during this transition.

When an account undergoes All IP migration, the communications provider will ask the customer whether they have checked with their alarm maintainer that there will be no impact after migration.

Potential impact includes:

• No backup power for the communications line after local mains power failure.
• On migration to All IP, the alarm system may be disconnected.
• Current signalling devices may not be compatible with the new All IP network.

NSI approved companies should refer to Technical Bulletin 0061 in the Approved Company Login Area for details of the mandatory preparatory actions to be completed.