Traditional Elevator Phone Systems

For decades, elevator emergency phone systems relied on copper analog telephone lines. These systems typically include wiring that runs from the machine room, through the travel cable, into the elevator cab, and connects to a central monitoring station.

Elevator phones are equipped with a speaker and microphone, enabling two-way communication. When someone in an elevator needs help, they can use a handset or a hands-free push button to initiate an emergency call to a 24/7 monitoring center. The center assesses the situation and dispatches assistance as needed.

Challenges of Using VoIP for Elevator Phone Systems

With rising costs and declining maintenance of POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines, keeping emergency elevator phones operational is becoming increasingly challenging. While Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is widely adopted for general telecommunications, it poses specific challenges for elevator emergency systems:

1. Call Termination Issues: Traditional POTS lines maintain a dedicated circuit between the elevator phone and the monitoring center. This allows either party to terminate the call, ensuring the system resets automatically. However, VoIP systems using ATA gateways often struggle to replicate this functionality, as elevator phones lack a manual “hook” to end calls.

2. Power Dependency: POTS lines supply power directly to the elevator phone through copper wires, ensuring reliability even during power outages. In contrast, regular VoIP terminals depend on elevator cab power, creating potential vulnerabilities.

3. Emergency Location Information: POTS lines transmit location data to emergency responders, ensuring accurate identification of the caller’s location. VoIP systems require additional configuration on Cloud PBX to provide this critical functionality.

Vola’s Solutions for POTS Replacement

Vola offers a range of hardware solutions tailored to the unique requirements of elevator emergency phone systems, ensuring reliability and compliance:

• PR08-Pro Dual WAN VoIP Router: Designed with a built-in battery, the PR08-Pro supports uninterrupted communication during power outages. Its advanced ATA features are optimized for elevator emergency systems, making it a reliable choice.

• PR12 All-in-One POTS Replacement Device: For smaller spaces or compact installations, the PR12 combines 4G VoIP ATA functionality with a built-in battery, supporting both VoIP and VoLTE. Its 24-hour battery life ensures seamless operation, making it an ideal choice for elevator systems.

• LM150 4G VoLTE Modem: Equipped with a CAT-4 LTE module and dual SIM card slots, the LM150 is PTCRB and AT&T certified. It offers a plug-and-play solution for field installations, simplifying the transition to modern communication systems.

Upgrade Your Elevator Phone Systems with Vola

Transitioning from POTS to VoIP requires careful planning and the right hardware. Vola Networks combines industry expertise with innovative products to ensure a smooth and reliable upgrade for your elevator emergency phone systems.

Choose Vola for a seamless POTS replacement solution. Let’s future-proof your communication systems together!

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Have questions about upgrading your elevator emergency phone systems or need assistance with your POTS replacement solution? We’re here to help!