Do not choose a telecare alarm or adaptor by its connection type alone. For a confirmed digital-landline migration, ask both the communications provider and telecare supplier whether the exact alarm, monitoring service and proposed connection will work together. Keeping an alarm with an adaptor may be possible with their support; otherwise, consider a supported replacement, including its power-cut and installation arrangements.
If a pendant or care alarm uses the household phone line, establish whether it can remain in service after the change. Ofcom advises users to tell their landline provider about connected care alarms before migration.
If the landline or telecare connection matters during a power cut, ask how both the telephone service and the alarm will keep working. UK Government Prepare guidance identifies backup arrangements as important for telecare users.
If self-installation or testing would be difficult, discuss assistance with the communications provider and telecare supplier. The Department of Health and Social Care also advises checking whether the local authority offers a telecare service.
For a household with a phone-line-connected telecare device and a confirmed migration, establish whether the existing alarm can stay in service before choosing equipment.
Consider it: When both the telecare supplier and communications provider support the exact alarm, adaptor and monitoring connection.
Trade-off: Retaining the alarm does not remove its dependence on a supported monitoring path or suitable backup power.
Consider it: When the existing alarm cannot be confirmed for the new line, or the telecare provider offers a supported replacement and monitoring arrangement.
Trade-off: The replacement may need installation, sensor pairing and a new monitored-service arrangement.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Exact compatibility | Give both suppliers the alarm model, connected sensors, proposed router or adaptor and monitoring-service details; ask them to confirm the complete setup. | If I want to keep my current alarm, I need to know it can still reach its monitoring service after the line changes. Around 42% of consumers put exact compatibility first. |
| Power-cut backup | Ask the communications provider about its backup arrangement and expected duration; ask the telecare supplier separately how the alarm and monitoring connection operate during an outage. | When emergency contact matters during a power cut, I need a working route for both the line and the alarm. For around 33% of consumers, outage resilience is the primary concern. |
| Installation and support | Confirm who installs and tests the system, who provides monitoring, and whether the communications provider or local authority can offer assistance. | If I cannot set up and test the replacement myself, I need practical help before the old connection changes. Installation and service support come first for around 25% of consumers. |
Wi-Fi, IP or cellular connectivity does not establish that an alarm works with a particular router, monitoring centre, pendant or set of sensors.
Before ordering, ask the telecare supplier and communications provider to confirm the exact proposed setup.
An adaptor may be a supported interim route, particularly for some hardwired installations, but it does not by itself settle whether an older alarm and its monitoring connection can remain in use.
Confirm the alarm model and service with both providers before choosing between an adaptor and a supported replacement.
A successful everyday alarm call does not show what will happen when a digital landline’s local equipment loses power.
Ask about the landline backup, its expected duration and the telecare supplier’s outage arrangements before migration.
Telecare arrangements can differ in monitoring, installation and support. The Department of Health and Social Care notes that some local authorities provide telecare following an adult social care assessment.
Check existing local-authority or housing-provider support, as well as the proposed package’s monitoring and installation terms, before changing services.
Tunstall makes digital telecare home hubs for provider-led and monitored deployments, including Lifeline Digital.
Appello supplies digital telecare and warden-call equipment relevant to supported-housing migrations.
Taking Care provides the personal-alarm service described on Age UK’s product page, for households considering a managed replacement package.
No. Ofcom gives 31 January 2027 as the planned date for retiring the old network used by customers on the BT Openreach network, not a single migration date for every UK network. Ask your communications provider when your own line is scheduled to change.
Only if the complete arrangement is confirmed for your alarm and service. Ofcom advises telling both the landline provider and device supplier before the change because a connected care alarm might not work properly on a digital landline.
That depends on the backup arrangements for both the digital landline and the alarm. Tell the communications provider that the household uses telecare, then confirm the backup it will provide and ask the telecare supplier how the alarm and monitoring connection operate during an outage.
Tell the communications provider and telecare supplier that installation and testing support is needed before migration. The UK government’s non-voluntary migration checklist describes engineer visits where appropriate for customers needing additional support; the local authority’s adult social care service can also explain whether it offers telecare assessment and provision.