Two million older and disabled people could be put at risk unless councils are given more support to help upgrade digital networks, council leaders have warned.
The privately-owned Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which is based on copper wires, will be switched off by 2025 as the UK’s telecoms infrastructure is upgraded to digital connectivity.
However, the Local Government Association (LGA) warned that services that relied on the existing copper wire network, such as personal alarms and telephone handsets used by older and disabled people, were at risk unless more was done to help with the switchover.
The LGA's digital connectivity spokesperson, Mark Hawthorne, said: ‘Unless action is taken now to support councils help their residents and suppliers with this change, we face the prospect of serious disruption to people’s lives, including, most urgently, those who use personal devices such as alarms and fall detectors to stay safe in their own homes.’
While the upgrading of the PSTN is being undertaken by the telecoms industry, the LGA said councils needed greater support with data sharing, testing, awareness and funding to prepare their residents for the switchover.
A survey by the LGA found almost 40% of the councils who responded did not know how they will pay for the move to digital telecare.
Cllr Hawthorne continued: ‘We need to make sure no one is left behind and potentially at risk - whether it be someone living at home on their own in need of support or people going about their daily lives waiting at the traffic lights or withdrawing cash.'
