This topic

keeping an important landline

circuitbender — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 12:55:59 GMT

A relative of mine who is elderly , disabled, vulnerable and lives on her own has a personal alarm system that connects via the LL to a call centre . If she needs help in an emergency, It dials out if she presses the button on the unit, or the pendant she wears all the time.

Does anyone know if BT have taken these systems into consideration if and when the landlines cease to exist, or will a device be provided so that the alarm system will integrate into the BB that she has at the moment.

thanks for any help and guidance

Re: keeping an important landline

imjolly — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 12:59:24 GMT

if only a phone customer they will be last to move especially if vulnerable person

have you asked the alarm company what they have done to allow pendant to work on DV as they have been aware of the changeover for years

is your relative registered here https://www.bt.com/content/dam/bt/help/including-you/BT_Free_Priority_Fault_Repair_Scheme.pdf

Re: keeping an important landline

circuitbender — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:44:39 GMT

Thanks for the reply and information provided.

i will get on to the alarm company about their upgrade , if there is one.

And the link you have provided for priority care for faults is great.

Regards

Re: keeping an important landline

licquorice — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:59:30 GMT

At the end of the day, BT provide a telephony service, it is incumbent on manufacturers to ensure any products they provide are compatible. It is not the responsibility of BT to do so.

I'm sure they will be on top of it.

Re: keeping an important landline

Keith_Beddoe — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:04:44 GMT

@circuitbender

If she has ADSL broadband, then its likely to be some time before Digital Voice is implemented, depending on her exchange closure plan.

The problem I can see, is that a lot of vulnerable customers with broadband, may not be aware of an imminent change to DV, especially if they do not understand any prior warning messages.

The first thing that they will notice, is that their phone or alarm stops working.

Most alarm of the type you describe, will work just fine once they are plugged into the socket on the Smart Hub 2. But its going to need someone to actually do that, and some of the providers of those sort of alarms will insist its the responsibility of the customer to provide a suitable phone line.

Re: keeping an important landline

licquorice — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:31:11 GMT

Sorry @Keith_Beddoe , I take issue with that. The onus is 100% on the alarm company. No Telco can be expected to ensure every supplier of alarm can be used with their service.

Re: keeping an important landline

circuitbender — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:32:07 GMT

Thanks for the reply . The relative in question has broadband and Landline with smart hub 5 or 6 ( can’t remember)

I can certainly re-route the pstn plug from alarm box to the BB router, but where would it plug into on the router, if it’s like my router , there’s just the 4 x Ethernet sockets and usb

Re: keeping an important landline

licquorice — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:36:29 GMT

The Smart Hub2 has a phone socket at the rear. An SH2 will be supplied before switchover

Re: keeping an important landline

circuitbender — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:45:43 GMT

ok, that’s interesting,

im not sure if the alarm box in question dials out using loop disconnect pulse dialling or DTMF ? will the network support both formats of dialling do you know ?

Thanks

Re: keeping an important landline

Keith_Beddoe — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:47:33 GMT

@licquorice

Some are supply only on a monthly subscription, and you are responsible for making sure there is a working phone line that does not block the outgoing CLI. The user has to make test calls to ensure its working properly. My late father had one via Age UK, and that was self install, and they were not responsible for the end user connection.

It was quite some years ago now, and I see they now have one that does not require a phone line.

Re: keeping an important landline

iniltous — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:48:17 GMT

If the dialer in the alarm is loop dis only , it won’t work with DV , but as stated , the alarm company should be mitigating the change to DV , by confirming compatibility or upgrading the existing kit so that it is compatible.

Re: keeping an important landline

licquorice — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:03:14 GMT

@Keith_Beddoe wrote:

@licquorice

Some are supply only on a monthly subscription, and you are responsible for making sure there is a working phone line that does not block the outgoing CLI. The user has to make test calls to ensure its working properly. My late father had one via Age UK, and that was self install, and they were not responsible for the end user connection.

It was quite some years ago now, and I see they now have one that does not require a phone line.

That is a total red herring. The device supplied would have needed to be compatible with a standard phone line, the specification of which is a known, as is the case now. The specification of the line has changed, alarm companies need to ensure their devices are compatible with the new specification.

Re: keeping an important landline

-Richie- — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:29:55 GMT

Strictly speaking BT offer a telephone service for a telephone to be plugged into, for the purpose of making and receiving phone calls.
Any other 3rd party device like a burglar alarm or pendant isn't BT's responsibility, that said make sure BT know of any impairments so they are aware in advance of any extra support you might need, also take a look at www.bt.com/hereforyou

Re: keeping an important landline

circuitbender — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:33:07 GMT

Thanks

I’ll check out if it’s loop did or tone dialling, and I’ll get in touch with the alarm provider too, to see if there’s an upgrade over wi-fi perhaps.

Re: keeping an important landline

circuitbender — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:39:37 GMT

Thanks

I’ll check out if it’s loop did or tone dialling, and I’ll get in touch with the alarm provider too, to see if there’s an upgrade over wi-fi possibly

Re: keeping an important landline

circuitbender — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:40:45 GMT

That’s interesting, is this over the internet or a SIM card ?

Re: keeping an important landline

Keith_Beddoe — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:43:53 GMT

I would expect it to be tone dialling for connection speed. Also they tend to use handshake tones with the alarm centre to identify the calling unit. So provided they are not distorted by being passed over VOIP, it should work.

Re: keeping an important landline

Keith_Beddoe — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:48:06 GMT

@circuitbender

https://personalalarms.ageco.co.uk/pages/digital-no-landline-personal-alarm

"The Digital Personal Alarm is a good choice if you are concerned about how you would get help in an emergency from around the home and you don't have a telephone landline, or want an in-home personal alarm that is unaffected by the telephone network's digital switchover."