The Ultimate Guide to the Technology Enabled Care Digital Switchover

In the UK, an estimated 1.8 million vulnerable individuals rely on telecare services to ensure their safety and well-being.

Traditionally when an emergency occurs, a service user can press an alarm button or rely on automated sensors in their homes. This alarm is transmitted via the aging Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to an Alarm Receiving Centre where an operator can make contact to provide advice or dispatch assistance.

By the end of January 2027, the UK's communications infrastructure will complete its transition to digital networks, rendering the existing analogue PSTN obsolete.

Traditional telecare equipment communicates with the monitoring centres using analogue signals, which consist of a series of audible tones and pauses. However, digital networks operate using a different language, essentially speaking in data packets rather than tones. This incompatibility poses a significant issue – the analogue signals from telecare alarms can be misinterpreted by the digital network, leading to distorted voice connectivity, failed transmissions, multiple reconnection attempts, and ultimately delayed or prevented emergency responses.

As a result, the telecoms industry, including Openreach, Virgin, TalkTalk, and BT, have recommended a crucial shift to digital telecare devices to ensure the reliability and safety of these vital services. As stated in the TSA’s Commissioner/Buyer Guidance: Analogue to Digital Social Alarms Systems Nov 2021 report:

"The view of network operators (Openreach & Virgin) and communications providers (BT, Virgin, Sky) is that call failure rates for tone-based analogue communication will continue to steadily increase as the UK's network infrastructure transitions to digital."

This monumental switchover not only presents significant challenges but also unlocks exciting opportunities for the telecare industry to embrace cutting-edge technology enabled care (TEC) solutions. Even areas not yet fully migrated to digital networks can experience disruptions, as telecare calls may still traverse parts of the digital infrastructure while being routed to monitoring centres.

Recognising the critical importance of being prepared for this monumental change, 2iC-Care has developed Andi – our innovative, future-proof, digital alarm response and preventative technology enabled care solution. Andi was specifically designed to help organisations navigate the switchover seamlessly while delivering exceptional care.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the key aspects of the analogue to digital telecare transition, its implications for the social care sector, and how Andi can support you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and future-focused transition.

As the TSA highlights, the digital transition paves the way for telecare providers to harness the power of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart speakers, predictive analytics, and seamless data integration across social care, housing, and health sectors. By leveraging these advancements, care providers can gain a holistic understanding of service users' needs, enabling proactive interventions, optimised resource allocation, and a truly personalised approach to care delivery.

By embracing digital solutions like Andi, social care service providers can unlock a range of benefits that directly impact the quality of life for service users and their families:

By recognising the transformative potential of the digital transition, social care organisations can position themselves at the forefront of a more connected, efficient, and compassionate care landscape. This way local authority care services can procure care technology that future–proofs care services.

To fully appreciate the significance of the digital switchover, it's essential to understand the fundamental differences between analogue and digital telecare systems.

Traditional analogue telecare systems have been the backbone of remote monitoring and assistance for decades. These systems rely on dedicated telephone lines to transmit voice and data signals from service users' homes to monitoring centres.

While reliable for many years, analogue telecare systems are becoming increasingly outdated and vulnerable to disruptions as the UK's communications infrastructure evolves.

Digital telecare solutions, such as Andi, represent the future of technology enabled care. These systems leverage modern internet and mobile data networks to transmit data, ensuring reliable and secure communication between service users, monitoring centres, and care providers.

• 2024 - 2iC-Care release switchover guide

   2iC-Care released a guide to adjust to the new analogue to digital transition timeline.

• 2024 - Three's 5G network decommissioned

  Three's 5G network decommissioned, indicating the transition to fibre-based networks.

• 2027 - PSTN & ISDN switch off complete

  Jan 31 - Analogue phone lines PSTN and ISDN switch-off completed.

• 2027+ - Copper switch off complete

  Likely early 2030s, copper switch-off completed.

As these key dates approach, it is crucial for telecare providers and local authorities to have a clear plan and timeline for transitioning to digital solutions. Failing to act in a timely manner could result in service disruptions, compromised safety for service users, and potential regulatory non-compliance.

Dates sourced from Farrpoint.

At 2iC-Care, we've developed Andi, our flagship digital technology enabled care solution, to address the unique needs of telecare providers, local authorities, and housing associations as they navigate the digital switchover.

Andi offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and empower organisations to thrive in the digital age:

With Andi, 2iC-Care is committed to being a trusted partner, guiding organisations through every stage of the digital transition, from planning and implementation to ongoing support and optimisation.

As you navigate the complexities of the analogue to digital telecare switchover, it's essential to leverage authoritative resources and guidance from industry experts. A very useful resource is the LGA Digital Switchover Telecare Checklist, it helps local authorities and telecare service providers prepare for a seamless transition. This checklist covers crucial aspects, including:

By consulting these trusted industry resources, telecare providers can stay informed, mitigate risks, and develop effective strategies for a successful digital transition.

Explore our in-depth articles and blog posts for expert advice, best practices, and real-world case studies on navigating the digital transition with Andi.

Our thought leaders and subject matter experts share valuable insights, tips, and strategies to help you make informed decisions and maximise the benefits of digital telecare.

To address some common questions and concerns surrounding the digital switchover, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions:

In conclusion, the transition from analogue telecare to digital technology enabled care is a transformative journey that presents both challenges and opportunities. By embracing innovative solutions like Andi from 2iC-Care, telecare providers and local authorities can future-proof their services, enhance care delivery, and empower their communities with technology enabled care solutions tailored for the digital age.

Key Takeaways:

• The UK's communications infrastructure is transitioning to digital networks, necessitating the adoption of digital telecare solutions by the end of January 2027.
• Digital telecare offers improved reliability, proactive care delivery, increased efficiency, and personalised support for service users.
• Andi, 2iC-Care's flagship digital telecare solution, is designed to seamlessly guide organisations through the switchover process.
  
• Leveraging industry resources, expert guidance, and comprehensive implementation support is crucial for a successful digital transition.
  
• Embracing digital telecare solutions like Andi positions organisations at the forefront of innovative, user-centric care delivery.

The TEC world uses lots of jargon, here are some terms that you may be unfamiliar with:

Analogue Connection: A form of communication over standard copper telephone lines using audible tones and pauses (DTMF tones).

Digital Report: Communication over an internet or cellular data connection, transmitting data in the form of packets.

PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network): The traditional analogue telephone network using copper wires.

DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency): The tones generated when pressing keys on a telephone keypad, used for communication in analogue systems.

IP Address (Internet Protocol Address): A unique numerical identifier assigned to devices for communication over the internet or digital networks.

SIM (Subscriber Identity Module): A circuit chip in a plastic card that enables cellular devices to connect and operate on mobile networks.

ATA Gateway (Analogue Telephone Adapter): A device that acts as a gateway, connecting analogue devices to digital networks.

Cellular Network: A communication network created by mobile phone towers and base stations, providing wireless connectivity to devices.

Fibre Network: A broadband network that uses fibre-optic cables to transmit data, providing internet connectivity.

IP Server (Internet Protocol Server): A computer server that receives and processes digital reports from telecare devices over the internet.

SCAIP (Social Care Alarm Internet Protocol): A digital reporting standard used by telecare devices to connect with alarm receiving centres (ARCs) over the internet.

POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service): A term referring to the traditional analogue telephone service over copper wires.

IoT (Internet of Things): Interconnected devices and sensors that can communicate and exchange data over the internet, enabling advanced monitoring and automation in telecare services.

ARC (Alarm Receiving Centre): A monitoring centre that receives alarm signals and alerts from telecare systems, dispatching appropriate assistance when needed.

QSF (Quality Standards Framework): A set of industry standards and best practices established by the Telecare Services Association (TSA) for the provision of technology enabled care services.