[Accessibility: Photo of a lilac coloured landline telephone on an orange side table. Photo by Nadia Rudenko on Unsplash]

Important changes to landlines: Digital Voice and personal alarms (telecare)

BT is upgrading the landline network, which means all phone landlines will become digital, i.e. they’ll need an internet connection to work. We understand this switchover is currently happening in Clive. Residents have raised concerns that poor mobile signal leaves them vulnerable, as digital voice landlines will not work during power cuts.

VERY IMPORTANT

• Telecare is a remote personal alarm system which alerts carers if a user has fallen/needs help. It may be impacted by the Digital Voice switchover.
• If you, or someone you know, uses telecare, contact the landline provider asap to ensure alarms keep working during and after the switchover
• Even if you don’t use telecare, you can ask landline providers for extra safeguards, e.g. battery back-up for routers, so emergency calls can be made during power cuts
• You can state poor phone signal as a serious concern – refer to the existing coverage maps in the Atlas Tower Group slides
• If you’re vulnerable, the landline provider may provide some safeguards free of charge

 Other things you can do

• Check the Digital switchover website for general information on the switchover
• Age UK also has a lot of information on the Digital Voice changeover
• Check the info on resilience for homeowners which includes how to prepare for power outages
• Check which mobile operators provide the best signal in your area at www.signalchecker.co.uk or ask your neighbours which operator they use