Digital telephone changes prompt community alarms checks

By 2025, all phones lines across the UK will change from the current copper based analogue system to a new digital system using the internet.  This applies to all telephone suppliers for landline phones and some suppliers are starting this change already.   

The Council’s Community Occupational Therapy team is aware that some users of community alarms in Shetland have been written to by BT that they will be moved to a Digital Voice system.  On receipt of this letter, anyone who has a community alarm should contact their telephone supplier to let them know that they rely on a community alarm.  

Telephone suppliers should be able to provide advice on how to reconnect their phone and community alarm after any changes to their system.

Users of a community alarm carry a personal alarm button to contact family or carers in an emergency.  The alarm triggers a call through a telephone land line to a call centre, who then try to reach registered contacts to respond to the call.  

The Community Occupational Therapy team has recently written to those with a community alarm.  Systems should be tested monthly and instructions have been given with the letter.  Anyone who finds that their alarm isn’t working can contact Occupational Therapy on 01595 744319 for further help.  

Clare Serginson, Senior Practitioner, Community Occupational Therapy, said: “We’re keen to make sure that anyone who relies on a community alarm will not be affected by this digital telephone switchover.  We’d urge any users of community alarms, or their family or carers, to check that systems are still working if any changes have been made, and contact us if they have any concerns.”

Notes for Editors

• The Council's Community Occupational Therapy Service has more information on the Community Alarm Service in Shetland
• Openreach UK Ltd have more information on the Public Telephone Switched Network (PTSN) switch off in 2025