How will the digital switchover impact your organisation?

The analogue to digital switchover is set to happen by the end of 2025. We know this will impact housing associations who use analogue telephone lines, particularly older person’s housing and supported housing providers.  
 
We’re working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to find out how the sector will be impacted and help make a case for funding. 

What is the digital switchover? 

All residents and businesses in the UK who have telephone lines connected to the Public Switched Telephony Network managed by BT Group through Openreach, are going to need to make changes to the way they use their landlines by the end of 2025. 
 
Many housing associations, especially supported and older person's housing providers, use analogue telephone lines for devices such as: 

• Standard telephone lines in offices. 
• Alarms (intruder, fire and lifts used in buildings). 
• Telecare Devices used in adult social care. 

Housing associations can make sure the switchover goes smoothly by doing an audit of what you have and whether your devices will work with a router. You can also contact your telephone company and ask them if you have any concerns about the switchover. 

How will the digital switchover affect your organisation?

We have been asked by DSIT and DLUHC to find out how the digital switchover will impact our members. This evidence may help us make the case for funding to help the sector prepare for the switchover. 
  
We understand that providers of supported and older people’s housing may need to transition to a range of telecare devices in advance of the switchover. There are also potential impacts for general needs housing, where there may be devices like intercoms or car park gates which operate using landlines. 
  
If your organisation has looked into the work needed in your general needs properties to prepare for the digital switchover, we would be grateful to hear any details you can share. This is so that we can make a strong case to DSIT and DLUHC on the need for government funding for housing associations to adapt. 

Tell us how the digital switchover will impact your organisation by 28 March 2024, using the contact details below.