Telecare Alarm user? You need to read this!
Published on 02 July 2025 02:15 PM
Digital Telephone Switchover & Alarm Users: National Awareness Campaign
From 2nd June 2025, BT, Virgin Media and several government departments are running a national campaign: making users aware that analogue telecare alarms could stop working as landline phonelines are upgraded to digital.
What is the digital telephone switchover?
BT has announced that by 2027 all analogue telephone lines will be upgraded to the new ‘Digital Voice’ service. These digital lines will use the internet to carry telephone calls, similar to how services such as Skype and Zoom work.
Why are landline phone lines switching to digital?
The current analogue landline network is being replaced because it is becoming difficult to maintain and demand for faster networks and connectivity is steadily increasing. New digital landlines use the internet to make phone calls – this offers better quality calls and paves the way for additional features such as protection from scams.
When are these changes happening?
- The switchover has started, some people have already been moved to the digital system
- For most people, the switchover will have happened by the end of January 2027.
How does this affect personal alarms that use landlines?
Telecare users are at risk during the digital phone switchover, as some personal alarms use landline connections (analogue) for their monitoring and SOS call services.
If you or someone you know uses an analogue personal alarm, call the landline provider. They are responsible for making sure the alarm keeps working through the switchover and that adequate support is provided.
Where can I find out more?
- Visit:
https://digitalphoneswitchover.com/telecare/
- Visit your Landline phone provider website contact pages e.g. BT, Virgin, EE, Sky.
- Advice from Age UK: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/consumer-issues/changes-to-landline-telephones/
- Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator. The aim of Ofcom is to make sure customers don't face unnecessary disruption or harm because of the changes.
- Openreach, a subsidiary of BT that maintains the telephone network infrastructure.
- Find out more about the change to digital landlines on GOV.UK.
Customers with a digital personal alarm
The following alarms are unaffected as they do not use a telephone landline:
- Digital Personal Alarm
- Digital Fall Alarm
- Taking Care Anywhere
- Classic GPS Alarm
- Personal Alarm Watch
Age Co Personal Alarm customers will be notified by SMS and/or email providing further information.