Comment: Preparing for 2027 and why the digital switchover must start with people
By January 2027, the UK’s analogue phone network will be switched off – a move that will redefine how technology supports social care and independent living. For housing providers, local authorities, and care technology providers, this shift represents both a risk and a transformative opportunity.
Legrand Care, a longstanding leader in the technology-enabled care (TEC) sector, is helping to drive that transformation with people-first innovation. From discreet in-home sensors to next-generation wearables and predictive platforms, its solutions help facilitate a key benefit to society: helping people to live safely, confidently, and independently in their own homes for longer.
Why independent living matters more than ever
With an ageing population and unprecedented pressure on NHS and social care services, enabling people to live independently is both a moral imperative and an economic necessity.
“There are over two million users of dispersed alarms in independent living across the UK,” says Trevor Hoggard, National Sales Manager of Legrand Care. “We want to help our mums, our dads, our grandparents live more independently in their homes for as long as they possibly can – but also feel supported with the equipment that’s around them.”
It’s not about replacing people with technology, Hoggard stresses, but enhancing care with insight. The emotional benefits of independence – connection, dignity, routine – are matched by the service-wide value of better, earlier intervention. It’s why Legrand Care has spent decades refining a portfolio of solutions that fit seamlessly into everyday life and help prevent rather than simply react to decline.
Navigating the digital transition
The 2027 switchover will render analogue devices increasingly unreliable as the UK’s telecoms infrastructure becomes fully digital. Some European countries – including Estonia and the Netherlands – have already made the switch, with others such as Sweden and France close behind. The UK’s slower pace is a complex mix of budget constraints, fragmented infrastructure, and legacy mindsets.
“The risk of doing nothing is the biggest risk,” Hoggard explains. “Analogue alarms will become more and more unreliable. And yet there are still local authorities hoping January 2027 will come and go without much impact.”
The change requires more than technical upgrades – it calls for coordinated planning between housing providers, service operators, and technology partners. While around 75% of dispersed alarms have already moved to digital, up to 90% of scheme-based equipment remains analogue. Without urgent action, large sections of the population risk being left behind.
Technology designed for people
At the heart of Legrand Care’s strategy is intuitive, inclusive design. Their independent living product suite includes fall detectors, wearable alarms, and remote environmental sensors – all underpinned by a powerful management portal called Pulse.
“Our technology is completely non-intrusive,” says Hoggard. “Service users don’t need to remember to flick a switch or do anything differently. They just live their lives – and the system works in the background.”
Devices such as the Novo Go – a GPS-enabled wearable alarm – offer flexibility both at home and on the move. It allows users to call for help wherever they are, sending location data instantly to an alarm receiving centre. Other devices, such as fall detectors, passive infrared sensors, and flood or smoke alarms, create a safer home without compromising privacy or dignity.
Legrand Care’s commitment to thoughtful design is evident in its approach to stigma. “We talk about the ‘badge of vulnerability’,” Hoggard notes. “Our newer wearables look like Fitbits or Apple Watches – they’re designed not to feel medical or obvious.”
Crucially, it’s not just the hardware that’s smart. Through its Pulse technology Legrand Care handles 25 million events monthly, which enables the system to detect trends and predict changes – helping care providers act early and introduce preventative measures.
The case for collaboration: Housing, health, and tech
Meeting the demands of the digital switchover cannot fall on any one group. It requires close collaboration between technology providers, housing associations, and local authorities. Procurement frameworks such as PFH (Procurement for Housing) play a key role, offering structured routes to acquisition – but communication is just as important.
Hoggard urges local authorities to engage with manufacturers like Legrand Care directly. “We want to help them fully understand the risks of inaction. Many housing providers still use analogue systems. Without a joined-up plan, they won’t be ready – and that’s a problem.”
As the sector evolves, more providers are seeing the benefits of digital. The goal isn’t just equipment replacement – it’s transforming reactive services into proactive, preventative ones.
Beyond compliance: A vision for better living
Legrand Care doesn’t see 2027 as a deadline – it sees it as a catalyst. By embracing the switchover as a chance to reimagine care, housing and local authority leaders can unlock new standards of quality, responsiveness, and compassion.
“This sector delivers a life-critical service,” says Hoggard. “It’s not always recognised as such, but it’s instrumental in keeping people safe and reducing pressure on the NHS.”
Indeed, the numbers are startling. Falls alone cost the NHS around £2.3 billion annually – and a single fall can cost £5,000 or more per person. With the right digital infrastructure, these risks can be identified earlier. A fall detector won’t stop someone falling, but the data it captures can highlight repeated patterns and prompt earlier intervention. In some cases, it could even save a life.
“There’s a huge opportunity to move from reactive to predictive care,” says Hoggard. “We’re already working on AI models that will help service providers make smarter, faster decisions based on real-world data.”
Conclusion: A turning point for care
The 2027 digital switchover is more than a technical deadline – it’s a watershed moment for the UK’s care infrastructure. While the risks of delay are real, the potential gains are far greater.
Legrand Care is ready to support that transition – with smart, compassionate, and proven technology designed around people’s lives. As Hoggard concludes: “We don’t just want to help people live longer in their homes. We want them to live better – with confidence, with dignity, and with care that truly understands them.”
To find out more about connected solutions for the health and social care sectors visit legrand.com/legrandcare/
