In this guide
Short answer: some will, some will not, and you should check now rather than in January. Many older burglar alarms, telecare pendants and lift phones were designed for the analogue phone network and may not work reliably on digital voice. Contact the supplier or monitoring company, ask whether the equipment is digital-voice ready and arrange a plan for power cuts.
The UK is switching off its analogue phone network by 31 January 2027 (see what to do before the switch-off). Most people think about the home phone. But a quiet group of devices also depends on that line, and a few of them protect lives and property.
Which devices may be affected?
- Monitored burglar and fire alarms. Older alarm panels dial an alarm receiving centre over the phone line.
- Telecare and personal alarms. Pendant alarms and community alarm units used by older and vulnerable people.
- Medical alert devices. Some health monitoring equipment uses the phone line.
- Lift emergency phones. Often a fixed line in blocks of flats and commercial buildings.
- Door entry systems. Some intercoms use a phone line to call a resident.
- Card machines and fax machines. Common in small businesses.
- Older TV and satellite boxes. Some use a phone line for interactive services.
Why digital voice changes things
Older equipment communicates using signals designed for the copper network. On digital voice those signals are converted into data, and some devices do not survive the conversion. The result can be a unit that seems to work normally but fails to connect when it is needed. A digital line also loses power when your router loses power, unlike the old exchange-powered line.
What to ask your supplier
- Is this equipment compatible with digital voice (VoIP)?
- Do I need a new unit, an adapter or a software update?
- Can it signal over a mobile network or broadband instead of the phone line?
- What happens in a power cut, and how long will the device keep working?
- Who will do the work, and when?
Planning for power cuts
Ofcom requires phone providers to make sure customers can contact the emergency services for at least one hour in a power cut, and to offer free battery backup to people who depend on their landline. If you or a relative rely on a telecare alarm, tell your provider before you are migrated, and ask for support. A charged mobile phone is always a sensible extra.
Telecare needs special care
If someone you look after uses a telecare pendant or alarm, speak to the telecare provider, often a local council or housing association, as soon as you can. The industry has been working on digital-ready units, and many providers are replacing older equipment. Do not wait to be contacted.
A practical checklist
| Device | Ask | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Burglar or fire alarm | Is the panel digital-ready? | Contact the monitoring company |
| Telecare pendant | Does it work on digital voice? | Contact the telecare provider |
| Lift phone | Who maintains it? | Contact the building manager |
| Card terminal | Does it use the phone line? | Ask the payment provider |
| Door entry | Does it dial out? | Contact the installer |
Test after the switch
Once your line has moved to digital voice, test every device that uses it. For an alarm, tell the monitoring company you are testing it first. For a telecare pendant, press the button and confirm that the call is answered. A device that is not tested might as well not exist.
For how digital voice works, see what is VoIP and how does it work, and make sure your number moves with you using our number guide. HomeIT Services helps Essex households and small businesses check their equipment, arrange backup power and move to digital voice. See VoIP and digital landline setup or contact us from Billericay, Rayleigh or nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Common examples are monitored burglar alarms, telecare and personal alarm pendants, lift emergency phones, card payment terminals, door entry intercoms, older satellite or TV boxes and fax machines.
Some older analogue telecare units may not work reliably on digital voice. Check with the telecare provider or manufacturer, and do it well before the switch-off date.
Contact the company that monitors it or the supplier that installed it, and ask whether it is compatible with digital voice, and whether it can use a mobile or broadband signal instead.
The alarm panel usually has its own battery, but the phone line through your router will not work without power. Ask about battery backup for the router, or a mobile-based signalling unit.
Yes. Providers must offer extra support and free battery backup to customers who depend on their landline. Contact your phone provider and tell them about any telecare or health needs.
Rather have it done properly?
Get a clear, fixed quote from a local engineer before any work starts.