Preparing for the digital switchover 2027

Telecare is changing. With BT turning off its analogue network in 2027, the telecare digital switchover is now well underway, naturally prompting questions and concerns about the continuity of essential services. Among these, personal alarm technologies stand out for their critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals.

Careium is at the forefront of this change, embracing the digital evolution without compromising the reliability or efficiency of our personal alarm systems. Our superior technology is not only prepared for the telecare digital switchover but is also enhanced by it. Thanks to roaming multi-network SIMS, our alarms will remain operational and fully connected during the digital switchover.

Importantly, our customers are already equipped for the digital switchover, ensuring the smooth continuation of their services thanks to our digital-first technology.

Key dates for the switchover

• Openreach’s dates for stopping the sale of certain Openreach products
• EE saying goodbye to 3G in 2024
• Vodafone: Say goodbye to 3G and hello to better connections
• Three: Our plans to switch off 3G
• O2: Switch off dates for 3G

Our cost-effective digital product range

Our proven, high-quality Swedish technology is smartly designed for those who want to have independent lives but also receive support. Our range of digital products offers quality-assured, cost-effective solutions that let users live a richer and more independent life for longer. Importantly, all are enabled for the impending telecare digital switchover. 

Some of our range includes:

Eliza

The Eliza is a unique, highly versatile smartcare hub elegantly designed to deliver the best possible security and reliability. The Eliza S is a slimline version of the flagship digital hub. The Eliza S+ is our latest design developed with modern interior living in mind.

CareIP Mobile

CareIP Mobile offers a completely digital, future-proof solution and can operate using GSM, GPRS and IP/Internet communication in line with the digital switchover requirements. The device is always online and constantly monitored via a ‘heartbeat’ transmitted every two minutes.

Abby

For home and outside use, the Abby is a small and comfortable GPS mobile social alarm that improves security not only in the home but everywhere the user goes.

Helping you prepare for a digital future

With the telecare digital switchover already underway in some areas, you’ll get support every step of the way with the change as we use all our experience, knowledge and pioneering innovation to make your digital transition as seamless as possible. 

We will support all of our customers to ensure a positive, managed transition. Far from being something to fear, the digital switchover will mean that you can start to benefit from more reliable connections while saving on the cost of servicing obsolete analogue technology.

Future-proofing digital personal alarms

The move to digital personal alarms is an essential part of creating an effective personal alarm service. The digital switchover will also reduce the risk of errors and increase reliability. This means the future is secured for telecare users to live safer, more confident, and independent lives. With over 1.7 million people already using technology-enabled care, people are enjoying the benefits of digital telecare technology.

Some telecare services are falling behind

According to the Telecare Services Association (TSA), a large proportion of telecare service providers have yet to begin upgrading their analogue equipment ahead of the telecare digital switchover.

The TSA recommends immediate, collaborative action to avert potentially major disruption to services. As a global expert on analogue to digital transformation, we have many years of experience developing and deploying digital telecare products and services, with half a million digital alarm calls taken a month.

The 2G and 3G phaseout and its impact on telecare

All UK mobile network operators have committed to closing their 3G networks in the next few years. The analogue switch-off will affect all types of devices reliant on 2G/3G mobile connectivity, including personal alarms. If these devices are not 4G capable, they will need to be upgraded to ensure they continue to work properly after the digital switchover.

Not only is the UK telecoms network going through one of the largest and most disruptive changes ever seen, but we also have to contend with the mobile networks making changes to the infrastructure to ensure these networks are fit for the future.

As such, it is important to understand the timelines, how these devices will be affected and what alternatives are available so that you can make an informed decision about what to do. Read Gary Clark’s, Careium’s Technical Director, guidance on the telecare digital switchover. As such, it is important to understand the timelines, how these devices will be affected and what alternatives are available so that, as a provider and customer, you can make an informed decision about what to do. Read Gary Clark’s, Careium’s Technical Director, guidance on the switch-over. 

The effect of switching to digital on telecare services

Today, technology-enabled care (TEC) is largely delivered by standalone specialist devices chosen and installed by care providers and connected to dedicated monitoring centres. Over 1.7 million people benefit from these services and the peace of mind they give to everyone. 

Traditionally, many UK technology-enabled care services relied on analogue telephone line connectivity for the exchange of voice and data between users and care services. However, the digital upgrade of the networks means that analogue telephone services in the UK will be switched off. 

Changes are already underway, which will have a consequential impact on TEC service reliability. Many services that employ analogue connectivity will, therefore, need to be upgraded in some way during the upcoming change.

To find out more about how changing from analogue to digital will affect telecare, see here: 10 Facts about Analogue to Digital: How it will affect telecare.

Market leaders in digital technology telecare 

As a market-leading technology-enabled care company, we’re the main provider of innovative end-to-end digital solutions and services in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and the UK. In the UK, our alarm receiving centre uses a digital platform, UMO, that is interoperable with hundreds of devices. We provide a wide range of services, from monitoring call handling to field engineering, responder services and out-of-hours services. We offer technology-agnostic solutions that are tailored to end users’ needs.

We pride ourselves on our half-century of tech heritage, including many years of experience manufacturing digital devices and handling hundreds of thousands of digital telecare calls each year. In 2007, we cemented our forward-thinking reputation when we became one of the first businesses globally to manufacture a digital telecare device and play an active part in pioneering digital communication protocols.

Useful resources

For a more in-depth look at how digital telecare is creating an independent, flexible future for its users, including recent case studies, download our whitepaper. See how we have worked with Falkirk Council to become the first local authority in Scotland to go live with an end-to-end digital telecare service. 

Ready for the digital switchover?

If you would like to discuss your concerns about the telecare digital switchover, move to digital, or arrange your free digital review, contact our team at [email protected].

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