National move to digital phone lines

North Yorkshire residents are being urged to prepare for the national move to digital phone lines by checking that any home alarm systems or personal pendant alarms will continue to work reliably after the switchover.

North Yorkshire — and the rest of the UK — is transitioning from the old analogue landline network to a new digital, internet‑based system by January 2027. This upgrade is essential because the copper network is becoming increasingly unreliable, but it does mean that some devices connected to landlines — especially telecare alarms, pendant alarms, and monitored home security systems — may not function properly unless checked or upgraded.

🌐 Why residents need to act now

More than 2 million people in the UK rely on telecare devices, including pendant alarms used by older or vulnerable residents to call for help. Many of these devices were designed for analogue lines and may not work as expected once a home is switched to digital. The government has highlighted incidents where alarms failed during the migration, stressing the importance of early checks and support.

Telecoms providers have agreed to new safeguards, including engineer visits to test alarms and free battery backup units for vulnerable customers, ensuring devices continue to work even during a power cut.

✔️ What you should do

• Check your alarm or pendant device now Contact your telecare provider or the company that supplied your alarm. Ask whether your device is compatible with digital phone lines.
• Speak to your landline provider They can confirm when your home will be switched and arrange support if you rely on telecare equipment.
• Test your device after switchover Providers can send an engineer to ensure your alarm continues to work correctly on the new digital network.
• Share this information If you have elderly neighbours, relatives, or friends who use pendant alarms, encourage them to check their devices too.

🔗 Where to find trusted guidance

The UK Government provides clear, up‑to‑date advice on the digital switchover and how it affects telecare users. Visit the official guidance page here:

GOV.UK – Telecare and the Digital Phone Switchover (https://www.digitalcarehub.co.uk/social-care-technology/the-digital-switchover-from-analogue-to-digital/https://www.gov.uk)