Event roundup: The Digital Phone Switchover in Scotland
On November 27th techUK supported by Digiren Scotland hosted a webinar on the move to digital landlines in Scotland – known as the Digital Switchover.
The webinar was opened by techUK setting out the objectives for the webinar – bringing together the larger Communications Providers and network operators to demonstrate the collaborative approach of the telecoms industry in ensuring digital inclusion highlighting the support available during the move.
John Livermore from Openreach described the context of the switchover – the aging infrastructure. The retirement of the PSTN – the analog network – and move to an IP or digital network is set to be completed by January 2027. Openreach is in addition closing exchanges to replace copper based networks with fibre although these are being carried out through a phased and geographic approach and he stressed the implications for service continuity.
David Christie from Virgin Media O2 then set out their approach – with a separate network to Openreach’s they are still following a similar timescale. He detailed the measures being taken by VMO2 - as well as BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone on the call - to protect and support vulnerable and telecare customers – including data sharing agreements, engineer-assisted migrations, battery backup solutions. VMO2 and BT ran a nationwide summer campaign, supported by the government, targeting telecare users and urging them to self identify. More information is available here: https://digitalphoneswitchover.com/
BT’s Sodhi Dillon highlighted that over 70% of the company’s customers had already moved to digital landlines. He described pilot programs being rolled out by BT and the other Communications Providers on the call where trained engineers help telecare users move to digital landlines by visiting their homes during the move to ensure that battery back up units are correctly installed and testing telecare devices to ensure continued functionality.
Colin McFadyen from Scotland’s Digital Office reported significant progress in Scotland – with 86,000 telecare connections digitally migrated and 22 out of 23 alarm receiving centres operating in digital mode. He emphasized ongoing challenges in the housing sector with uptake and the need for resilient back up solutions.
Presentations given and a recording of the webinar is available here and for further information please contact Sarah Shepherd on [email protected].