TakingCare launches device that counteracts the impact of the digital phoneline switchover
Personal alarm provider TakingCare has launched the UK’s first personal alarm to use two multi-network SIMs to help counteract the impact of the digital phoneline switchover, due to be completed by 2025.
TakingCare’s Digital Personal Alarm has been developed in partnership with telecare manufacturer Chiptech and uses two multi-network SIM cards to ensure instant and resilient connectivity in case of a mobile network outage.
Openreach’s digital phoneline switchover involves the replacement of analogue telephone lines with digital ones, meaning that personal alarms which rely on the telephone landline may no longer be compatible with the new digital system, potentially leaving older, vulnerable people unable to call for help.
The Digital Personal Alarm has two multi-network SIM cards that connect to different Core Network Providers and have both 2G and 4G connectivity, meaning it uses a roaming algorithm to automatically connect to the strongest available mobile network, switching to a different Core Network provider in the event of an outage and providing round the clock connectivity.
Andrew Ridpath, Head of Customer Experience at TakingCare Personal Alarms, said: “Earlier this year, one of the UK’s biggest Core Network Providers went offline in an unplanned outage. This meant that anyone using a digital personal alarm relying on mobile network connectivity from this single network provider was unable to call for help through their alarm device.”
“At TakingCare Personal Alarms, we’re constantly evolving and improving our product range so customers have the confidence they can reach our Emergency Resolution Team any time.
“With more and more analogue landlines already being replaced, digital personal alarms are an instrumental way of keeping older people safe and ensuring around the clock connectivity. Most digital alarms rely on a single Core Network Provider, which is why we’ve gone one step further to create a resilient personal alarm product that uses two multi-network SIMs, making it purpose-built to remain operational even in case of a network provider outage.
“While the digital switchover brings new opportunities for telecare such as smart home monitoring, we recognise that there are new challenges too. Our Digital Personal Alarm addresses the critical challenge of providing resilience and reliability, and is the first digital personal alarm in the UK to have two multi-network SIMs, so that customers will always be able to connect their personal alarms, even in case of an unplanned outage.”
The Digital Personal Alarm is worn around the neck as a pendant or on the wrist and has a button which can be pushed in case of emergency, connecting the wearer to TakingCare Personal Alarm’s 24-hour Emergency Resolution Team.
TakingCare’s Digital Personal Alarm is available for £3.74 per week with optional fall detection. The subscription includes 24-hour monitoring from three UK-based Emergency Resolution Centres.
In July, TakingCare launched a new telecare monitoring device, which is designed to help older people live independent lives without compromising their safety, by using advanced AI technology.
