The UK’s move away from copper infrastructure is reshaping how alarm signalling is delivered. In fact, the upcoming Copper retirement is a significant shift for the security industry. A recent European Commission connectivity report shows the same trend across Europe, with copper networks being actively decommissioned. Fibre is becoming the new baseline. For UK installers and ARCs, the implication is straightforward. Legacy signalling paths should no longer be taken for granted.
What the report actually says about copper
The EC’s 2026 Connectivity Coverage report covers 27 EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It tracks the deployment of ten connectivity technologies as of mid-2025, including DSL, FTTP, 5G, and fixed wireless access.
The headline finding for legacy infrastructure is direct: “the decline of legacy copper networks reflects active decommissioning programmes.” Three member states have already completed or largely completed their copper retirement during the reporting period. Across the broader study area, countries that relied heavily on copper and cable broadband are now lagging behind the EU27 average in fibre and high-capacity network coverage. This is largely because delayed fibre investment meant copper was kept running longer than planned.
FTTP has become the most widespread single fixed technology in Europe for the first time, covering 74.1% of premises. Those numbers matter for alarm signalling because they represent the infrastructure that post-PSTN signalling paths run on. They’re increasingly available, including in areas where older copper provision was the only option. Notably, these changes emphasise the effects of Copper retirement for any organization dependent on legacy networks.
Why this matters for alarm signalling specifically
When a copper network is decommissioned, any alarm panel still using a PSTN or ADSL-dependent signalling path loses its connection to the ARC. That’s not a theoretical risk, it’s a sequence of events that has already played out in other European markets. It is continuing in the UK following Openreach’s ongoing copper withdrawal programme.
The practical challenge for installers is that alarm panels don’t announce when their signalling path has gone down. A panel might appear to be functioning normally at the premises while the signal path to the ARC is broken. It’s worth confirming the signalling method on any installation that hasn’t been reviewed recently. This is particularly important in areas where fibre upgrades are actively replacing copper. Additionally, regular reviews will help ensure readiness for Copper retirement.
Compliance is also a factor. EN 50136 sets out the requirements for alarm transmission systems, including path availability, supervision, and fault reporting. An installation that was compliant under a legacy copper arrangement may not remain compliant once that copper path is removed or degraded. This is especially important where dual-path requirements apply under Grade 3 or above.
Why dual-path matters even more after copper
For many installers, migrating off PSTN has meant choosing between IP-only and dual-path signalling. The report’s data reinforces the case for thinking about path diversity. It notes growing reliance on Fixed Wireless Access in low-density and geographically challenging areas. There is also increasing relevance of low-earth-orbit satellite for remote connectivity. Neither of those technologies is guaranteed to behave identically to a fixed copper circuit. Therefore, neither should be assumed to be a like-for-like replacement without verifying how the alarm panel handles the new path.
Dual-path signalling, typically combining IP with a secondary mobile path, addresses this directly. If one path is disrupted during a network transition, infrastructure upgrade, or outage, the secondary path maintains the signal to the ARC. For higher-grade installations, or any site where continuous ARC contact is a condition of the insurance policy, this isn’t optional.
The AddSecure NGP portfolio is designed around exactly this kind of resilience, secure, supervised IP alarm signalling with dual-path capability, built to EN 50136 standards and supported for UK installations.
Reviewing existing installations
The EC report describes copper retirement as an active process, not a scheduled future event. For installers, the practical implication is simple. Any site still relying on a PSTN or DSL-dependent signalling path should be reviewed. That means checking the signalling method. It includes making sure the ARC is receiving supervised signals. It is also important to establish whether the current path is likely to remain available as local copper infrastructure is upgraded or removed. As a result, Copper retirement requires attention from all stakeholders.
ARCs can also play a useful role here. Monitoring for sites that haven’t reported a test signal recently is a reliable way to identify which installations may have already lost their legacy path without anyone realising it.
Reviewing sites that may still rely on legacy copper infrastructure? Speak to the AddSecure team about compliant dual-path signalling options for your install base. Proactive preparation is crucial as Copper retirement progresses across the UK.