A free workshop at Townhill Park Community Centre in June promises to explain “All you need to know about the UK [telephone] landline switchover”.
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With traditional telephone landlines being moved to digital systems, and more and more people relying on mobile phones, there have been concerns from various groups about the switchover – which often relies on plugging a phone into a mains-powered internet router rather than a line-powered phone socket.
Power cuts are one concern, and some groups may not have the internet at all, or rely on services needing an always-on phone line, such as Careline personal alarm services.
Meanwhile broadband suppliers are encouraging customers to move to ‘internet only’ services with no separate phone line, with some offering router-based alternatives.
The workshop takes place on Monday, June 8 from 10am – 2pm at Townhill Park Community Centre, SO18 2FH, run by AbilityNet, a digital inclusion charity which has partnered with BT Group to help support older and digitally excluded people during the switchover.
Links
Telecare National Action Plan: protecting telecare users throughout the digital phone switchover – gov.uk
Moving landline phones to digital technology: what you need to know – Ofcom
‘There is real danger’: landline phone users voice fears over digital switchover - Guardian