Millions of uk households who still have a landline urged to make phone call now

TWO MILLION VULNERABLE PEOPLE RELY ON LIFESAVING TELECARE ALARMS TO CALL FOR HELP IN AN EMERGENCY. 07:35, 02 Jun 2025 Millions of landline customers are being urged to contact their provider

NOW ahead of a digital switchover. Two million vulnerable people rely on lifesaving telecare alarms to call for help in an emergency. The alarms can alert call centres or carers if the user

experiences an issue at home, such as a fall. But analogue technology these landlines rely on is being shifted to digital. Following a fall last year, Ann, who is in her 90s and from

Stockport, became reliant on her telecare device. She is backing the campaign after her provider successfully migrated her landline last year. READ MORE SMART MOTORWAYS COULD BE SCRAPPED

FROM ENGLAND ENTIRELY Ann said: "The visit with the engineer was most enjoyable and very smooth, they handled everything for me. It’s left me feeling more reassured and confident. It’s

also given my daughter Vickey peace of mind, knowing that if I need support, my pendant will work as it should. I’d encourage other people like me who rely on a personal alarm to get in

touch with their landline provider for support. Labour Party MP and Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: "We cannot afford to leave anyone behind during the vital transition to

digital landlines. I have personally set a strict checklist of safeguards for industry to comply with before they migrate any telecare user. Article continues below "This industry-led

campaign marks a further step towards keeping people safe as we boost the resilience of our networks for the digital age. "I urge anyone with a telecare alarm – or anyone close to a

user of a telecare alarm - to pick up the phone and contact their provider to access the help that’s available." Amy Low, CEO at AbilityNet, said: "As a charity our core aim is

empowering older and disabled people to use technology, so we’re fully behind this campaign which will raise further awareness to the most vulnerable, as well as their carers, with an urgent

message to act. Article continues below "With the digital switchover happening it has never been more important that they contact their provider who can offer tailored support and

in-home assistance to ensure everything goes to plan." Matthew Evans, Director for Markets and Chief Operating Officer at techUK, said: "As the current PSTN system becomes

increasingly unreliable - with faults rising 45% in 2024 – we need to ensure a swift transition to a digital network fit for the future. "With many other countries and many millions of

UK households having already completed the migration, it is essential to raise awareness and complete this move. We are proud to support VMO2 and BT as well as the UK government as they

establish this important campaign and we look forward to continuing to work with the telecoms sector and other parties to ensure the delivery of a safe and sustainable switch."