The UK’s telephone network is changing. Between now and the end of 2025, all telephone providers will be moving their customers telephone landlines from a technology called analogue to one that is digital.
The digital switchover means that your existing equipment such as a Lifeline emergency alarm unit is required to be updated or reconfigured to ensure it continues to work effectively.
The Council is in the process of planning upgrades for residents across the County Borough. The upgrades will be completed over the course of the next two years and when your Lifeline device(s) is due to be upgraded, one of our team will contact you to make the necessary arrangements for an engineer to visit your property at a convenient time.
Please be aware that there have been reports of scams related to the digital switchover where people have been asked for personal and financial information. Please note that the digital switchover is free of charge and the Council will never ask for any financial information relating to the digital switchover. To ensure your safety, all RCT engineers will be carrying an identity card.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions that will give you a better understanding of the digital switchover, what you need to do and how Rhondda Cynon Taf will support you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is happening?
A: The UK’s telephone network is changing. All telephone providers will be gradually moving their customers’ telephone landlines from an analogue telephone system to a modern digital system. This is called the “Digital Switchover”. The Digital Switchover is planned to be completed by the end of 2025.
Q: Why is it happening?
A: The Digital Switchover is happening to improve the quality and reliability of the UK’s telephone network. Old networks, made up of copper wires, are no longer fit for purpose and need to be updated in order to keep up with future demands.
Q: What does this mean to me?
A: The digital switchover means that your existing equipment, such as a Lifeline emergency alarm unit, is required to be updated or reconfigured to ensure it continues to work effectively.
Q: What will the Council be doing?
A: The Council is in the process of planning upgrades to Lifeline device(s) for residents across the County Borough. The upgrades will be completed over the course of the next two years. When your Lifeline device(s) is due to be upgraded, one of our team will contact you to make the necessary arrangements for an engineer to visit your property at a convenient time. An engineer will then install the new equipment. These changes are free of charge and should be straightforward.
If you have not yet received a letter from your telephone provider with a date for your switchover, there is no need for you to do anything at the moment.
If your telephone provider contacts you to progress the switchover prior to us contacting you, please inform them that you have a Lifeline device which could be affected by a change to your lines. Sometimes people will know these devices by a different name, such as “Telecare Alarm Service”, “Careline Alarms”, “Emergency Alarm”, “Pendant Alarm”, or “Health Pendants”. After your telephone provider has contacted, please then get in contact with us directly via telephone on 01443 425050.
Q: When will this be happening?
A: Between now and the end of 2025, all telephone providers will be moving their customers’ telephone landlines from an analogue technology to one that is digital. If they have not already done so, your providers (for example BT, Talk Talk, Sky etc), will notify you of their plans to progress this switchover and when it’s likely to take place.
Upgrades to Lifeline device(s) for residents across the County Borough will also be completed over the course of the next two years. When your Lifeline device(s) is due to be upgraded, one of our team will contact you to make the necessary arrangements for an engineer to visit your property at a convenient time.
Q: How will we be contacting you?
A: We will be contacting you via a phone call to make the necessary arrangements for an engineer to visit your property on a convenient date. Thereafter, should it be necessary to do so, we may also contact you further via letter.
Q: Will the Digital Switchover affect my Lifeline or Telecare service?
A: Yes, the digital switchover means that your existing equipment, such as a Lifeline emergency alarm unit, is required to be updated or reconfigured to ensure it continues to work effectively.
The Council will need to visit your property on a convenient date and install the new equipment. These changes are free of charge and should be straightforward.
Q: Will it cost anything?
A: No, these changes are free of charge.
Please note that the digital switchover is free of charge and the Council will never ask for any personal or financial information over the phone. To ensure your safety, all RCT engineers will be carrying an identity card.