Advice please.

[Audrey+Margaret]

I'm 94 and use my BT socket to connect my Telecare home emergency button to my emergency helpers. I fall quite often and living alone need help to get up. Sometimes I hurt myself. I'm told now that my exchange is going digital so my BT sockets will be redundant but the real worry is that I'm told I'll need to have a router installed and that will have a monthly charge. This isn't fair. At my age I don't use the internet so have no need for a router. Also, if I have a power cut I won't be able to contact my emergency helpers. Why am I being treated like this? 

[Mark39 · Accepted solution]

Hello Audrey,

I did catch sight of your post yesterday before it was (I suspect) intercepted temporarily by one of the forum's often over zealous filters.

First, can you confirm that your telephone service is provided by Sky?

[GD1]

@Audrey+Margaret Do Sky provide your Telephone service?

Unfortunately all exchanges are being upgraded in this way, it some point the old standard telephone services will be discontinued.

I would speak to the telecare provider as they need to the keeping up with the times and provide a service that can be linked over a seperate mobile signal for example.

This isn't something Sky have control over.

If you are a Sky customer I would also register with the accessibility team https://www.skyaccessibility.sky/  as they may be able to offer more advise.

[KevNewMedia]

Hi @Audrey+Margaret 

Thanks for using the Sky Community,

If you haven’t already, I think you’ll need to speak to your care alarm provider in the first instance. You’ll need to confirm that their service is compatible with internet calls (VOIP).

Assuming it is, you’re right, you’ll need an active Broadband service to support the telephone line.

I recommend reaching out to our Accessibility team who’ll be able to offer a little more support.  You can find their contact options here

You can find more information about the change here

[TimmyBGood]

---

@Audrey+Margaret wrote:

 Why am I being treated like this? 

---

Everyone is 'being treated like this': it's a national decision, ultimately permitted by Ofcom as the relevant regulator, to switch off analogue telephony at every telephone exchange in the country by the end of 2025.  Every household requiring a 'landline' connection will be using an IP service with a broadband router, even if the residents have no requirement for other forms of internet use: this is likely to be at a lower cost for those like yourself who just need to connect telephony and care hardware rather than web/streaming services.  ISPs are also required to ask about particular circumstances requiring additional resources to deal with the potential adverse consequences of loss of power.

[Audrey+Margaret]

Yes, my phone service is supplied by Sky.

[Audrey+Margaret]

Yes, Sky provides my phone service. I'll ask my son to check the address you have provided. Thanks.