Ask Care Circle a question
Tell our editorial team what is unclear. Your question stays with Care Circle and may help us improve the guidance.
Ask the editorial team →The Digital Switchover Reset
Questions and support
You can ask even if you are not sure.
Does every care home need to buy a new telephone system?
Not necessarily. The right answer depends on the services and equipment used and the migration plans of the relevant providers. Your communications and equipment suppliers should confirm the actual position.
Is this only about care homes?
No. Relevant services include residential care, supported living, sheltered or extra-care housing, retirement schemes, domiciliary care and other organisations relying on telecare. Their roles and equipment differ. The substantial national grouped-alarm findings relate especially to housing schemes, not all care homes.
We have fibre. Does that mean we are ready?
It may be an important part of the solution, but it does not prove that a separate alarm line, lift phone or building system has been identified and tested. Start with the actual care activity and who owns each part.
Will everything digital stop during a power cut?
No universal answer is possible. Some systems have batteries, independent connectivity or an agreed fallback; others depend on powered network equipment. Ask about the complete service, not only the phone handset.
Can our existing analogue alarm work on a digital connection?
Some transitional arrangements exist, but reliability depends on the particular device, signalling, network and alarm receiving centre. Government guidance favours fully digital solutions in the longer term and emphasises testing and monitoring of interim measures. S01
Is the Ofcom one-hour backup a rule for our care alarms?
No. Ofcom's emergency-calling guidance applies to relevant voice service customers in a power cut. Care alarm and network continuity need their own assessment. S06
Who should I contact if we do not know where to begin?
Start with the company that supplies the telephone or connectivity service, and identify the alarm provider or building-system owner. You can also ask Care Circle an editorial question or request an introduction to an appropriately scoped specialist. Neither route replaces your urgent fault or emergency arrangements.
Is this programme independent if a telecoms company supports it?
Yes. Any nominated commercial partnership will be identified. Care Circle retains editorial decisions, source standards and the right to question or correct any technical claim. A request for help is shared with a specialist only with an appropriate, explicit permission and transparent explanation of the recipient.
A question is a useful place to begin
Would it help to talk this through?
You can ask even if you are not sure. Choose the route that fits what you need.
Request specialist support
Explain your situation and the assistance you need. We identify any proposed specialist and ask for your permission before sharing details.
Request specialist support →No nominated telecoms partner has yet been appointed. These routes are not monitored for emergencies or live faults. If an essential alarm or communication route is failing, use your service’s urgent arrangements and contact the relevant supplier or alarm receiving centre.