We've launched our new Digital Personal Alarm and Digital Fall Alarm, the first personal alarm devices to use two multi-network SIMs to help counteract the impact of the digital phone line switchover, due to be completed by 2025.
Openreach’s digital switchover involves the replacement of analogue telephone lines with digital ones. Some personal alarms that rely on a telephone landline may no longer be compatible with the new digital system, potentially leaving some people with personal alarms unable to call for help.
Supporting independence at home
The Digital Personal Alarm is perfect for customers who don't have a telephone landline or want an in-home personal alarm that is unaffected by the telephone network's digital switchover.
If you are a little unsteady on your feet or worry about how you would get help should you fall when on your own, then the Digital Fall Alarm has all the benefits of an in-home personal alarm and automatically detects when the wearer has fallen.
How the Digital Personal Alarm and Digital Fall Alarm are different
The Digital Personal Alarm and Digital Fall Alarm have two multi-network SIM cards that connect to different Core Network Providers. Both SIM cards have 2G and 4G connectivity, so they automatically connect to the strongest available mobile network. In the event of an outage, they switch to a different Core Network provider to provide round the clock connectivity.
Earlier this year, one of the UK’s biggest Core Network Providers went offline in an unplanned outage. This meant that anyone using a digital personal alarm relying on mobile network connectivity from this single network provider was unable to call for help through their alarm device.
Andrew Ridpath
Head of Customer Experience at Taking Care
Andrew Ridpath, Head of Customer Experience at Taking Care, explains: "We’re constantly evolving and improving our product range so customers have the confidence they can reach our Emergency Resolution Team any time."
"With more and more analogue landlines already being replaced, digital personal alarms are an instrumental way of keeping older people safe and ensuring around the clock connectivity. Most digital alarms rely on a single Core Network Provider, which is why we’ve gone one step further to create a resilient personal alarm product that uses two multi-network SIMs, making it purpose-built to remain operational even in case of a network provider outage."
Available to try with a 30-day money back guarantee
The landline-free Digital Personal Alarm and Digital Fall Alarm are both lightweight and can be worn around the neck or wrist. They do not need a telephone landline, and customers can get help in any emergency by pressing one big button on the pendant.
The Digital Personal Alarm is available from £3.74 per month. The subscription includes 24-hour monitoring from our UK-based Emergency Resolution Team.
Digital Personal Alarm Digital Fall Alarm
Developed with Chiptech
The Digital Personal Alarm and Digital Fall Alarm have been developed with telecare manufacturer Chiptech, who have over 20 years’ experience in the industry.
Helping customers through the digital switchover
This video explains how the digital switchover will affect personal alarm users.
We have also released a series of guides to support customers through the digital switchover:
- The analogue phone line switch off: what the digital upgrade will mean for analogue phone lines.
- Choosing a digital-ready, no landline personal alarm: digital personal alarms explained.
- Will my personal alarm still work after the digital telephone switchover?
- How will the digital switchover affect my personal alarm?
