The migration of the nation’s analogue telephone network to digital is underway and due to be completed by 2025. Known as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), it consists of 75 million miles of copper cables and approximately 5,600 local exchanges. This will all be replaced, with all landline calls routed over broadband.

Recently, local councils have called on government and industry to help pay for the millions of pounds that the migration will incur. The migration of analogue to digital telephony presents councils and residents with a range of challenges – including relating to fire, lift and other alarms, traffic signals, and CCTV. It will also impact the 1.8 million people in the UK who rely on care technology (telecare) services to help them stay safe and live independently.