Landlines, VoIP and telecare

elsien

Parent is 87, majority of the marbles currently intact perfectly capable of using a laptop, mobile, online things once set up and demonstrated. Technical knowledge zilch.

Currently with plusnet for a landline and broadband, I think FTTC but would need to check.

Plusnet no longer doing landlines so she needs to decide whether to move over another provider to retain the landline for now or to go VoIP.

My question is more around future proofing. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that she will need some sort of telecare system in future. What would be the best thing to do/maintain to ensure she retains that option if needed? When I’ve looked I’ve just seen providers saying if you have this sort of system then get in touch, without actually telling you what the options are.

Any thoughts appreciated – if she keeps her traditional landline for now realistically how long is it likely to be before no-one does them anymore?

MyRealNameToo

Telecare options are switching to internet and mobile too because of the fact PTSN is due to be terminated on 1 January 2027 so switching to another provider is only going to give you another 6 months

littleboo

You won't be able to change providers and retain an analogue landline. That ship sailed in 2023.

elsien

That is not correct because Plusnet are signposting to EE to retain the landline at least for now.

littleboo

The "landline" service will be delivered using VOIP

iniltous

The obvious choice is to take the option to move to EE to maintain the telephone service, if keeping a phone service is wanted , it won’t be PSTN telephony (no one will offer that now as it’s effectively retired and it’s final switch off is Jan 2027 ) but apart from the phone connecting to the router, either wired (plugging the phone cord into the router ) or DECT like regular cordless home phones ( so not WiFi like some people think ) and EE maintain the existing terms and conditions until the PN minimum term expires….should a telecare or fall alarm type facility be needed in the future, the alarm provider will ensure it’s compatible or more likely it will have a SIM and use a mobile network to contact the appropriate people , either way it’s their problem to make it work .

You could convert to broadband only from Plusnet and arrange your own VoIP telephone but it won’t be as easy , the EE option plug and play , the third party VoIP route needing extra equipment you need to purchase , although it may be cheaper per minute if they use the phone a lot …

p00hsticks

I'm not sure why Telecare is the exception (perhaps used in areas where there is no reliable mobile signal ?).

My late mother had a pendant alarm from Taking care, and this worked by effectively using mobile signals from multiple providers to ensure coverage for the alarm, no need for a landline at all, just for the pendant to be charged every few weeks.

And I believe there are also Apple watches etc that can act as fall detectors / alarms ?

mta999

Unless having a landline for phone calls is a deal breaker you could consider giving up the landline and moving to mobile only for calls

Any future monitoring system is likely to use the mobile network or the internet anyway

J_B

My M-i-L had a fall alarm with careum that was landline based - despite the analogue line still working fine, they replaced it with a mobile based unit