Prepare for the digital switchover
23 Jul 2025
Northumberland County Council is urging residents to take simple but important steps to prepare for the move to digital landlines.
By January 2027, services relying on the outdated analogue landline systems, including amplified phones for those with hearing loss, personal telecare products, fall and motion detectors, and portable healthcare devices like ECG or oxygen monitors, will undergo a digital upgrade.
This transition will be seamless for most users, but vulnerable individuals who rely on telecare alarms will require special attention to help make sure telecare alarms keep working through the switchover.
For those with telecare services, the digital switchover has significant implications and users - or those who know of anyone using these telecare services - are being urged to contact the telecoms provider about how the switchover will impact them and take necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition, minimising any potential disruptions to their care.
In the event of a power outage digital landlines will not function and while mobile phones can still be used, individuals without an alternative means of contacting emergency services should contact their telecoms provider and request a solution to enable emergency calls.
Cllr Nick Oliver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Value for Money at Northumberland County Council, said: “The safety of our residents remains our top priority, and the Council is doing all it can to ensure people are informed of the progress of the digital switchover which is currently underway.”
Many residents are already adapting to the change, and, for some the process is as straightforward as plugging their home phone into the broadband router rather than the traditional wall socket.
Cllr Oliver continued: “Although this is being led by the UK telecoms industry, we want to make sure that no one is left behind. If anyone has any concerns about how the switchover will affect them or someone they know, I urge them to contact their provider for further advice to ensure they are fully prepared.”
Telecommunications providers, including major companies such as Virgin Media, O2 and BT, are expected to contact customers ahead of the switchover to ensure their services remain unaffected.
Be aware of scams and only use known routes to contact your providers. For example, telephone numbers and contact details on your bills.
For further information and assistance, residents are encouraged to contact their telecoms provider for guidance on how to navigate the transition seamlessly.