Elevator Phones Are Going Cellular

Learn Why Mobile Connect 2 Is the Right Move for Building Owners

The Problem: We talk with property managers, hotel operators, and facility teams every day who are struggling with the same problem. Their elevators rely on traditional copper phone lines that are becoming more expensive, less reliable, and in many areas no longer even supported by the local telephone provider. Inspections are getting harder to pass, surprise outages are becoming more common, and monthly bills keep climbing.

The Solution: Cellular service for elevator emergency phones has become the clear path forward. With our Mobile Connect 2 platform, the upgrade is simple, affordable, and designed for long-term reliability. It is the cleanest break from old POTS lines and the most dependable alternative to VoIP solutions that often can’t meet life-safety requirements.

Here is what building owners should know about making the switch.

Copper Line Sunset Is Already Happening

Across the country, major carriers are retiring copper infrastructure and shifting customers to fiber or VoIP. That sounds fine on paper, but elevator emergency phones were never designed to operate over packet-based lines. The result is a high failure rate, dropped calls to monitoring centers, and, ultimately, failed inspections.

Some buildings find out too late. They experience a sudden outage, discover their copper pair has been decommissioned, and are left scrambling to find a compliant replacement.

Mobile Connect 2 eliminates this risk. The system uses a dedicated LTE connection built specifically for elevator communication. It doesn’t depend on building internet. It isn’t tied to aging copper infrastructure. Your emergency phone stays online and inspection-ready at all times.

Installation Is Straightforward And Non-Intrusive

One of the most enjoyable parts of our job is showing customers how easy this upgrade really is. A typical Mobile Connect 2 installation takes about an hour per elevator car, depending on the condition of existing wiring.

The process is simple.

No internet dependency. No IT coordination. No complicated router settings. Once installed, the elevator phone has a dedicated life-safety pathway that works independently from the building’s infrastructure.

Why Cellular Outperforms VoIP For Life Safety

VoIP has its place in an office setting, but it often fails in emergency situations. Elevator phones require:

Cellular service handles these requirements far better than VoIP. Mobile Connect 2 units include internal battery backup, multiple network fallbacks, and a direct connection to our nationwide carrier partners. Even if the building’s power or internet fails, emergency phones remain operational and monitored.

This is one of the biggest selling points for hotels, apartments, and older commercial buildings. You avoid the risk of IT misconfigurations and the liability of an elevator phone that fails during a fire alarm or local outage.

Lower Monthly Costs And Better Predictability

Copper phone lines continue to increase in price. In many areas, we see elevator-only POTS lines priced at more than $100 per month. Some exceed $150. And as the carriers push customers off copper, pricing continues to rise.

Cellular elevator service with Mobile Connect 2 provides a clear, predictable monthly rate. No taxes, no surcharges, and no hidden usage costs. Most buildings save between 30 and 60 percent annually after converting their elevator phones to cellular. Larger properties with multiple elevators often see even bigger savings.

Plus, the equipment is built for long-term service life. You are not paying for temporary workarounds or short-term fixes. See our Savings Calculator to estimate what you can save.

A Path That Keeps You Inspection-Ready

Every jurisdiction requires working two-way elevator communication. If the emergency phone fails during inspection, the elevator fails with it. That can lead to downtime, re-inspection fees, angry tenants, and unnecessary stress.

Mobile Connect 2 is designed to keep you compliant.

When we finish an installation, we perform a full code-compliant test and provide documentation your inspector will accept. This alone helps property managers sleep better at night.

Why Building Owners Choose Mobile Connect 2

Destra Business Services specializes in copper-to-cellular conversions. We work with older hotels, aging mixed-use buildings, and commercial properties of every size. Our goal is to help you modernize your elevator communications without disrupting operations or breaking your maintenance budget.

Customers choose us because we deliver:

Upgrading to the Mobile Connect 2 isn’t just a technology decision. It’s a long-term reliability decision. It keeps you compliant, reduces your operating costs, and gives your building a safer and more dependable emergency communication system.

If you’re ready to replace your aging copper lines or want a quote for your property, we’re here to help. Let us put together a plan that fits your building and your budget. Request a Consultation

Serving SoCal | Los Angeles | Irvine | Long Beach | Ventura | Riverside | San Diego