CARE CIRCLE NETWORK
THE DIGITAL SWITCHOVER RESET
Plain-English glossary
Published 11 November 2026
Reviewed 11 November 2026

**PSTN:** Older public telephone network being retired by Openreach and other relevant operators.  
**Digital voice or VoIP:** Telephone calling provided using an internet protocol connection, often through a broadband router.  
**Telecare:** Technology used to request or coordinate help, including some personal and grouped alarms.  
**Grouped living alarm / warden call:** Alarm arrangements serving a sheltered, supported or other grouped housing environment, sometimes through a central building system.  
**Personal or dispersed alarm:** An individual alarm service, often used in someone's own home.  
**ARC (alarm receiving centre):** The service or platform receiving alarms and helping arrange an appropriate response.  
**Interoperability:** Whether different parts of the system actually work together.  
**End-to-end check:** Checking the service from the original alert through to receipt and intended response.  
**Fallback:** The approved alternative arrangement used if a normal service is unavailable.  
**EVAc:** Openreach's temporary last-resort emergency voice arrangement for some eligible remaining lines after PSTN closure. It is not a guarantee for telecare signalling.  
**NOW-IP / alarm IP protocols:** Digital telecare communication standards relevant to particular devices and receiving systems. Ask your specialist about your specific implementation; don't select equipment solely because an acronym is quoted.  
**Confirmed with evidence:** A claim supported by a relevant document, acceptance record or reliable test result, rather than a verbal assumption.

https://carecirclenetwork.co.uk/digital-switchover-reset/glossary