On this page: Benefits · Who this is for · Technical overview · Choose your pathway · Compare gateways · Costs · FAQs
Emergency Lift Phones for Strata Buildings
NBN-ready emergency lift phone solutions for strata managers and building owners — from assessment to documented test call.
Choose your lift connectivity
Pick the path that matches your building set‑up. Both are professionally installed, monitored and supported.
Not sure? See how they compare ↓ · Or Request a Site Assessment
Taking this to your committee? Download the Briefing Pack.
Which option suits your building?
Two reliable paths for emergency lift calling. Pick the one that matches your site constraints and resilience needs.
LTE (4G only)
Dedicated mobile network path — no fixed line required.
Primary path
4G LTE voice/VoIP
Backup path
Optional UPS for power (recommended)
Power needs
Requires mains power; UPS extends runtime
Typical use case
No copper/nbn available or unreliable
Choose this when…
You need a fast retrofit without fixed access
VoIP — nbn + LTE backup
Business nbn (or opticomm) as primary with automatic 4G failover.
Primary path
VoIP over business nbn/opticomm
Backup path
Automatic 4G LTE failover on outage
Power needs
UPS for CPE/switch + LTE modem advised
Typical use case
Sites with business nbn already present
Choose this when…
You want quality-first with built-in redundancy
Australian‑based support
Meets AS 1735.19 requirements
Documented test calls
Month‑to‑month terms
NSW bookings: use the audit link above. Outside NSW? Request a Site Assessment → · Prefer to talk it through? Talk to Our Team →
Why Lift Phones Must Be Upgraded for nbn
Australia’s PSTN and 3G shutdowns mean many older lift emergency phones no longer meet today’s compliance expectations.
Australian Standard AS 1735.19 requires lift emergency communication systems to operate during power failures and network outages.
Copper PSTN services in Australia are being withdrawn. Buildings that haven't transitioned their lift emergency phones risk non-compliance with AS 1735.19.
What this means for buildings:
- Legacy PSTN/3G-based lift phones may not connect reliably in an outage
- Committees need confidence that emergency calls will still go through
- Record-keeping matters — documented test calls help demonstrate due diligence
Pickle’s lift communication approach is designed for modern LTE and nbn networks, with battery backup and optional monitoring — helping lifts stay connected during outages. Book a free assessment to confirm the right pathway for your building.
Benefits for strata and building owners
Keep your lift emergency calling reliable and compliant.
Compliance‑aligned
Designed to support AS1735 and Building Code requirements.
Power resilience
Battery backup so calls continue during power outages.
Redundant connectivity
LTE/nbn pathways reduce the risk of call failure.
Monitoring options
Proactive monitoring available to maintain reliability.
Local support
Australian‑based support when you need it.
Who this is for
This page is most relevant to:
Strata managers and committees
Portfolio-level reporting and clear contacts.
Building owners
Designed to support compliance and reduce risk.
Facilities teams
Documented test calls and change control.
Developers and builders
Retrofit or new-build support.
What’s included
Monitoring
Included on Dual SIM LTE, VoIP — nbn + LTE Backup and LTE — CAT6; optional on Single SIM LTE (+$20/mo).
Documented test calls
We provide test call records at handover for your committee/portfolio.
Battery backup
Battery backup scope included across options.
External antenna
High‑gain/directional antenna available where needed to improve LTE coverage.
Why many buildings need an upgrade
Many buildings now require a lift phone upgrade due to the shutdown of PSTN and 3G networks across Australia.
Technical overview
A lift communication gateway with LTE (4G) connectivity and battery backup provides a path independent of the PSTN. Redundant connectivity and documented test calls during handover help support AS 1735.19 requirements.
Basements and car parks
Concrete and underground levels block cellular signals.
Lift shafts and lobbies
Signal attenuation in lift cores causes dropped calls.
Fire stairs and corridors
Enclosed pathways often have zero coverage.
Plant rooms
Services spaces are typically shielded from signal.
Thick construction
Reinforced walls and glass coatings reduce signal.
Features
Technical capabilities at a glance.
LTE (4G) connectivity
Independent of the PSTN.
Battery backup
Continues during power loss.
Redundant paths
Reduce risk of call failure.
Remote monitoring
Optional 24/7 alerts.
Documented test calls
Verified at handover.
Gateway options
Match building infrastructure.
Need help choosing?
In NSW? Book a free on‑site audit →
On mobile: swipe to compare →
Compare lift communication gateway solutions
Not sure which gateway is right for your building? Use this table to compare the main pathways.
| Feature | Lift Gateway LTE — Single SIM | Lift Gateway LTE — Dual SIM | Lift Gateway VoIP — nbn + LTE Backup | Lift Gateway LTE — CAT6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary path | LTE (4G) | LTE (4G) | nbn (wired) | LTE (4G, CAT6) |
| Redundancy | — | Dual carrier SIM | LTE failover | Antenna + CAT6 capability |
| Lift phones supported | 1 | 1–4 | 1–24 | 1–8 |
| Data included (per month) | 50 MB | 50 MB | 100 GB | 2 GB |
| Call allowance | 10 mins per SIM | 10 mins per SIM | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Coverage dependency | High (plant room signal) | High (plant room signal) | Low (wired primary) | Medium–High (engineered antenna) |
| External antenna | Sometimes required | Sometimes required | Not required for primary | Typically required |
| Monitoring | Optional (+$20/mo) | Included | Included | Included |
| Supports building services | Limited (uplink only) | Limited (uplink only) | Yes — CCTV and IoT sensors | Yes — 2 GB pool for sensors, access control and IoT Wi‑Fi |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months | 36 months | 36 months |
| Compliance support | Meets AS 1735.19 requirements | Meets AS 1735.19 requirements | Meets AS 1735.19 requirements | Meets AS 1735.19 requirements |
| Best for | Small buildings with good LTE | Sites needing carrier diversity | Poor LTE sites / multi‑lift | No nbn; engineered LTE option |
Costs at a glance
Your total cost depends on:
- Gateway pathway (LTE single/dual SIM, VoIP + LTE failover)
- Number of lifts/handsets
- External antenna or signal engineering
- Battery backup scope (gateway, nbn CPE/switches)
- Monitoring level (included on most pathways)
- On‑site access and after‑hours windows
Next step: Request a Site Assessment →
We’ll confirm the most suitable pathway and a clear budget range for your committee — no obligation.
Get an accurate quote for your building — no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Is this compliant with Australian lift emergency phone regulations?
Our service meets AS 1735.19 requirements and supports Building Code obligations. Book a building assessment and we’ll confirm the right configuration for your specific lift and site. We’ll also provide documented test calls at handover for your records.
Will emergency calls work during power or nbn outages?
Systems are designed with battery backup and LTE (4G) connectivity to provide a path independent of the PSTN. This helps calls continue during power or nbn outages. Actual performance depends on the site environment — we verify operation with documented test calls and can enable optional monitoring.
Does this meet the requirements under AS 1735?
The architecture, battery backup and connectivity options meet AS 1735.19 requirements. We confirm operation through documented test calls during handover and can supply a summary for your strata committee or records.
Can this be installed in existing buildings?
Yes. Most upgrades are retrofit installations with minimal disruption. We assess your current lift phone and building services first, then schedule works to avoid peak times. We coordinate with building management throughout.
How long does installation take and will there be downtime?
Most installations are completed within a few hours per lift. We coordinate with building management to keep any service interruption to a minimum and verify emergency calling before we leave. Where needed, we plan after‑hours windows.
Do we need strata committee approval before proceeding?
For building‑wide services, most strata committees require formal approval. We can provide a brief pack with scope, risks, compliance alignment and budget ranges to support a clear decision. Ask about a site assessment to prepare the paperwork you’ll need.
What does a lift phone upgrade typically cost?
Costs vary by gateway (LTE single/dual SIM, VoIP + LTE failover), antenna needs, number of lifts/handsets, battery‑backup scope and monitoring level. After a short site assessment we’ll confirm options and a clear budget range for your committee — no obligation. We don’t publish pricing because every building’s compliance path is different.
Do we need power backup for the gateway or nbn equipment?
Yes. Emergency communications must operate during power failures. We include battery backup scope and document test calls at handover to confirm operation. For nbn sites, the CPE and any switches must also be backed up.
Support and guides
Prefer to read first? Explore setup guides, outage checks and compliance notes for emergency lift phones.
No lock‑in contracts
Australian support
Site‑specific compliance assessment
What our clients say
Pickle coordinated the upgrade and documented the test calls for our records. The process was clear and there’s been no drama since.
Andrew M., Strata Manager, Sydney strata portfolio
The committee needed a practical solution, not more complexity. Pickle gave us a clear recommendation, transparent costs, and a lift phone service that is simpler to manage going forward.
Michael S., OC Chair
Pickle supported us through the entire build, ensuring lift communications were compliant and ready from handover. It removed a lot of risk for our project team.
Lisa T., Property Developer
Installation was completed with minimal downtime. We received the handover notes and test results to brief our committee.
Lisa P., Building Manager, Residential tower, Parramatta
Pickle made the compliance side much easier to understand. The upgrade gave us a monitored lift phone solution, clear documentation, and confidence that the building was meeting its obligations.
Kerri H., Strata Manager
The changeover was straightforward and well managed. Pickle explained each step clearly, coordinated the install with minimal disruption, and kept us updated from start to finish.
Gavin P., Building Manager
Request a Site Assessment
Coverage note
LTE options require adequate signal in the plant room. We can add a high‑gain or directional antenna if needed — or recommend an nbn primary path where LTE is unreliable.
Not sure if your building has sufficient LTE signal? Download the Free LTE Coverage Check →
LTE Coverage Check for Strata Buildings
AS 1735.19 Lift Phone Compliance for Strata Buildings
Australian Standard AS 1735.19 requires lift emergency communication systems to remain operational during power outages and network failures. Pickle’s lift phone systems use LTE (4G) connectivity, battery backup and redundant communication pathways to help ensure lifts remain connected and support compliance.
✔ Operates during power outages ✔ Backup connectivity via LTE (4G) ✔ Emergency call reliability ✔ Designed for modern network infrastructure
Get started in 3 simple steps
Book a compliance audit
Our team reviews your current lift phone system and identifies any compliance risks.
Select the right gateway
We recommend the best solution based on your building type and lift infrastructure.
Install and verify
Our technicians install and test the system, including documented test calls, to verify operation in line with AS 1735.19.
AS 1735.19 Compliant Emergency Lift Phones for Strata Buildings
Emergency lift phone services must meet Australian Standard AS 1735 and Building Code of Australia requirements. Pickle’s lift phone service meets AS 1735.19 requirements and supports Building Code obligations — book a building assessment to confirm the right configuration for your site.
As an ACMA-registered Australian telco, Pickle's equipment and network configuration is designed to meet AS 1735.19 requirements for lift emergency phones.
Learn more about our apartment building technology solutions → and Managed Wi‑Fi Calling for buildings →.
Preparing for a committee decision? Download the Committee Briefing Pack →
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