Digital Switchover

The UK’s telephone network is changing. Between now and 2025 (exact switch over dates are still a bit of an unknown) most telephone providers will be moving their customers from old ‘analogue’ landlines over to new upgraded landline services using digital technology.  This means services that rely on the old landline system such as home phones and healthcare devices will be switched over.

Most of our units work through the older phone lines. Once your telephone network is upgraded to digital, your lifeline unit may no longer work.  
It may be that the Lifeline equipment in your property is already suitable to use after the digital switchover. Please do not worry – we will contact you in the new year if your equipment needs changing.

The good news is – your landline isn’t going anywhere and for most consumers and businesses, this change will be straightforward. In fact, many customers are already making the switch when they upgrade to full fibre broadband.  Your telecoms provider (for example, BT and Sky) should contact you before the switchover to check in and discuss what you need to do to make sure your service isn’t affected.  

In 2024 we will be contacting some of our customers about replacing the Lifeline unit that is installed in your home, as part of a programme of equipment replacements.
It may be that the Lifeline equipment in your property is already suitable to contact us after the digital switchover. Please do not worry – we will contact you in the new year if your equipment needs changing.

The upfront costs of the new equipment will be funded by Somerset Council however prices will increase in future years due to the increased costs of the equipment and services we provide.

You will always be notified of any increases in the cost of our service and usually aim to write to you in February, before any new invoices are sent. 

We have a range of potential solutions to connectivity problems, many of which we already install for customers that experience these issues. Before visiting, we will contact you to try and understand your needs based on your broadband, mobile phone connectivity and the amount of power cuts you experience. This will allow us to offer the most appropriate equipment to meet your needs.

When we contact you, we will discuss the arrangements for replacing your equipment. Please be rest assured that we will visit you and replace the equipment if you are unable to do so yourself.

We recommend that you contact your telephone/broadband provider if you have any questions or concerns. 

There are many different providers, but we have included some of the most common ones below:

In order to be fully ready for the Digital Switchover of phone lines the technology used to support our service is hosted digitally on secure servers.

When Somerset Lifeline make an outgoing telephone call the number shown on caller ID will be either 0118 3583800 or 0118 3587700. We advise service users and their keyholder to save these numbers to their contacts so they recognise the caller.

Please note, these numbers do not accept incoming calls, if you need to Somerset Lifeline you can do so on 0300 123 2224.