Removal of Facsimile as a Method of Code Communication

  • 1
    Initial Assessment
  • 2
    Solution Development
  • 3
    Consultation
  • 4
    Decision
  • 5
    Awaiting Implementation
  • 6
    Implemented
Step 6 of 6
Implemented
Summary
The Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) will be switched off in December 2025 by all telecom companies and will be replaced with an Internet Protocol (IP) digital network. Existing fax machines that are incompatible with new all IP digital networks will become obsolete and no longer capable of meeting Code Communications as prescribed in the REC. All communication methods referencing fax or facsimile will need to be removed and replaced with email (where this is not an existing option), unless an alternative form of communication is needed. Please note: The government have published preparatory guidance which includes migrating to IP-supported technology in advance of the planned decommissioning. UK transition from analogue to digital landlines - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) (“assets, facilities, systems, networks or processes and the essential workers that operate and facilitate them”) which is subdivided into 13 sectors including Energy, are advised to consider how they move to digital alternatives smoothly to avoid unnecessary interruption following the PSTN switch-off. Openreach's Energy Guidance Factsheet can be found in the CPs Accompanied Documents.

Latest update and next planned activity

Date of latest update
Latest Update
This Change Proposal was implemented as part of the 7 November 2025 REC Release.

Impacts Overview

Impacted Consumers
Electricity Gas
Impacted REC Parties and Market Participants
Energy Supplier Data Collector Green Deal Provider
Impacted REC Documents
Schedule 14 - Metering Operations Schedule 18 - Green Deal Arrangements
Impacted REC Services
Electricity Enquiry Service (EES)
Other Industry Codes impacted
Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA) Smart Energy Code (SEC) Uniform Network Code (UNC) Independent Gas Transporters (IGT) Uniform Network Code (UNC)
Priority and rationale
Standard

Priority last updated on 29 May 2026

Solution development

Problem Statement
Existing fax machines that are incompatible with new all IP digital networks will become obsolete and no longer capable of meeting Code Communications as prescribed in the REC
Proposed solution summary
  1. All communication methods referencing fax or facsimile will need to be removed and replaced with email

No documents available.

Change Plan

Preliminary Change Report and Consultation Issued

Completed

Start:

03 Jan 2024

Due:

09 Feb 2024

Completion:

09 Feb 2024

Final Change Report Issued

Completed

Start:

23 Feb 2024

Due:

12 Mar 2024

Completion:

12 Mar 2024

Responsible Committee Decision

Completed

Start:

12 Mar 2024

Due:

19 Mar 2024

Completion:

19 Mar 2024

Appeal Window Closure

Not Started

Start:

19 Mar 2024

Due:

02 Apr 2024

Completion:

Consultation Close

Completed

Start:

09 Feb 2024

Due:

23 Feb 2024

Completion:

23 Feb 2024

Original submission

Change details

Colette Baldwin - REC Code Manager
3 Jan 2024

Change details

Removal of Facsimile as a Method of Code Communication
The Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) will be switched off in December 2025 by all telecom companies and will be replaced with an Internet Protocol (IP) digital network.
Existing fax machines that are incompatible with new all IP digital networks will become obsolete and no longer capable of meeting Code Communications as prescribed in the REC.
All communication methods referencing fax or facsimile will need to be removed and replaced with email (where this is not an existing option), unless an alternative form of communication is needed. It will also be an opportunity to standardise the term “email” and replace “e-mail“ with “email” for consistency.
The government have published preparatory guidance which includes migrating to IP-supported technology in
advance of the planned decommissioning. UK transition from analogue to digital landlines - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) (“assets, facilities, systems, networks or processes and the essential workers that operate and facilitate them”) which is subdivided into 13 sectors including Energy, are advised to consider how they move to digital alternatives smoothly to avoid unnecessary interruption following the PSTN switch-off.

Impacts

Electricity, Gas
On site experience
-
Schedule 14 - Metering Operations, Schedule 18 - Green Deal Arrangements
CoMCoP
No details provided
-
No details provided
-
Data Item Catalogue, Standards Definition
-
No details provided
-
No details provided
-
Energy Suppliers, Data Collectors, Green Deal Providers, EES Users
-
Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC), Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA), Smart Energy Code (SEC), Uniform Network Code (UNC), Independent Gas Transporters (IGT) Uniform Network Code (UNC)
This issue is affecting all codes and the Cross-code Steering Group are looking to co-ordinate engagement across all the codes.
No
No details provided

Priority & timing

No
-
The PSTN system will be decommissioned in December 2025, it would be prudent to ensure that industry is ready, so that the changes are developed and implemented ahead of this timeframe.
The PSTN system will be decommissioned in December 2025
No details provided
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Activity

Implementation Date has been updated to 07 Nov 2025.
james.hardy has been allocated as Lead Analyst.