The transition from analogue phones (the phone we have at home now which runs on copper wires through the exchange) to digital is well under way with a target date now set for 2027 rather than 2025. Some people already have the digital system as telephone providers have started to install them already.
Your telephone provider will contact you to let you know that your service is to change to digital.
Because this system is powered by your home electrics, these phones will not work in a power outage in your home or area. If you need 24/7 access to a phone, you must tell your telephone provider and they will provide an emergency phone that will work in a power cut for no extra cost.
For most of us it will be a simple matter of your provider supplying you with an adapter to plug into your broadband router and your phone will plug into that.
THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS SO IF ANYONE RINGS YOU TO OFFER TO DO IT FOR A FEE THEN IT IS MORE THAN LIKELY A SCAM.
For some of us it will be a little trickier. If your personal alarm is currently reliant on a phone line, there is no guarantee that it will continue to work on the new digital system. You should discuss this with your provider, as your personal alarm may need to be adjusted or reconfigured to continue operating following the digital switchover. Adjustments should be free, again make sure you contact your provider rather than respond to a cold call.
If you do not have broadband, then a simple router should be provided by your provider free of charge to enable you to still make phone calls.
NO PROVIDER SHOULD SWITCH YOU TO DIGITAL AND LEAVE YOU AT RISK FROM YOUR PERSONAL ALARMS FAILING.
If you have a truecall blocker fitted by your local authority, they will work on the new network and your provider should ensure it is connected to your phone if they come to your home to do the switch for you. If you need advice contact Trading Standards on 01635 519930 or email tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk and we will do our upmost to help you switchover.
There have been incidents reported where scammers have contacted residents requesting up front fees for the switch to be done.
THERE IS NO FEE unless you have to replace an alarm system that you have had installed yourself.
