When someone presses the emergency button inside an elevator, the system is expected to work—every time. But if that call doesn’t go through, the consequences can be serious: code violations, fines, legal exposure, and most importantly, a real risk to human safety.
Traditional copper landlines are becoming less reliable by the day, and even VoIP connections can fall short in critical moments. At Destra Business Services, we see the same elevator phone failures across buildings all over the country. Here are the top five—and how Mobile Connect 2, our copper-to-cellular gateway, solves every one of them.
1. Copper Line Failure or Disconnection
Problem:
The number one cause of elevator phone failure today is simple—the phone line is gone. Telecom providers across the U.S. are retiring POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) infrastructure as part of the FCC’s Order 19-72. This often happens with minimal notice or is bundled into other service changes that go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Mobile Connect 2 Solution:
Mobile Connect 2 bypasses the old copper entirely. It connects your existing elevator phone equipment directly to a secure cellular network, ensuring your emergency phone always has a signal—even after the phone company pulls the plug on your landline.
2. Billing Issues or Lapsed Service
Problem:
Believe it or not, many elevator phones stop working because no one paid the bill. With dozens or even hundreds of lines across large properties, it’s easy for elevator phones to get lost in the shuffle. Service may be suspended without warning.
Mobile Connect 2 Solution:
Our service simplifies this with flat-rate billing and transparent pricing—just $39/month per elevator. No hidden surcharges. No bundles. And we notify you immediately if there’s ever an issue. It’s predictable and easy to manage.
3. Power Outages Without Battery Backup
Problem:
Even if the elevator has backup lighting and controls, many landline-powered phones rely on external AC power. In a power outage, these phones can go down, right when they’re needed most.
Mobile Connect 2 Solution:
Every Mobile Connect 2 device includes a long-lasting battery backup, so your elevator phone remains fully functional during an outage. It’s tested, compliant, and monitored for charge levels to ensure performance when it matters.
4. Disconnected or Damaged Wiring
Problem:
Landline wiring—especially in older buildings—is prone to damage from pests, corrosion, or even renovation work. It’s often hard to trace, buried in walls or conduits, and expensive to repair.
Mobile Connect 2 Solution:
By converting your existing phone line to a local cellular path, we eliminate the need for hundreds of feet of vulnerable wiring. We install our gateway close to your elevator controller, greatly reducing the chances of physical line failure.
5. VoIP and Internet-Dependent Failures
Problem:
Some buildings have tried to save money by switching elevator phones to VoIP, but these systems depend entirely on internet connectivity. If your ISP goes down, your elevator phone does too—along with everything else on the network.
Mobile Connect 2 Solution:
Cellular doesn’t rely on your building’s Wi-Fi or internet. With dedicated LTE connectivity and priority voice service, it’s isolated from building network failures. That’s why many fire marshals and elevator inspectors prefer cellular over VoIP for code compliance.
The Bottom Line
If your elevator phone is still running on copper—or tethered to your building’s internet—you’re gambling with safety and compliance. Mobile Connect 2 delivers reliable, code-compliant service that works when you need it most, for just $39/month per unit.
Ready to eliminate uncertainty and upgrade to cellular?
Contact Destra Business Services today and let’s future-proof your elevator communications.
