- The analogue PSTN is being retired by Openreach, with the all-IP migration completing in 2027, so alarm units designed for the old line may need replacing.
- Two main replacements exist: an IP-based unit that plugs into the broadband router, and a mobile unit that uses a 4G data connection independent of the home line.
- Ofcom guidance requires providers to offer a free power-cut solution keeping a vulnerable customer connected to emergency services for at least one hour.
- Mobile (4G) units suit homes with no broadband or weak speeds because they do not depend on the fixed line or router.
- Telecare equipment is usually supplied by a council, housing provider or monitoring company, so the upgrade route depends on who owns the device.
A PSTN telecare alarm is replaced by an IP unit that connects through the broadband router or a 4G mobile unit that works without a fixed line. The telecare operator usually supplies and tests the replacement.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Why a replacement may be needed
An analogue telecare alarm was engineered for a line that supplied its own power and used analogue dialling tones. Once that line is migrated to an internet-protocol service, neither assumption holds: the line no longer carries power, and the call is packetised and carried over broadband. Some older alarm units cope, but many do not establish a reliable two-way voice path or fail to dial out at all, which is unacceptable for a lifeline device. For that reason the safest course is usually to test the existing unit and, where it does not pass, replace it with equipment built for a digital world.
The good news is that the telecare industry has been preparing for this for years, and digital-ready hardware is widely available. The choice is less about whether to upgrade and more about which connection type fits the household and who arranges it. Because the Public Switched Telephone Network is being withdrawn by Openreach with the all-IP migration completing in 2027, there is a clear window to plan the change rather than react to a sudden loss of service.
IP-compatible telecare units
An IP-compatible alarm base unit connects to the home broadband, typically by plugging into the router or sitting on the same network. When the pendant is pressed, the unit opens a voice and data session over the internet to the monitoring centre. These units are well suited to homes that already have a stable broadband connection and where the router sits within easy reach of where the alarm needs to live.
The main consideration with an IP unit is power resilience. Because broadband equipment runs on mains electricity, a power cut would otherwise take the alarm offline. This is why a battery back-up matters, and why Ofcom guidance requires providers to offer a free solution that keeps a vulnerable customer connected to emergency services for at least one hour during a power failure. A well-configured IP telecare unit pairs the device with a battery back-up so the lifeline survives short outages.
4G mobile communicators for alarms
A mobile communicator takes a different approach: instead of using the fixed line or broadband, the alarm contains a mobile data module and connects over a cellular network, much like a mobile phone. This removes the dependency on the home line entirely, which is valuable where broadband is absent, unreliable or where the household would rather not maintain a fixed line at all after the switch-off.
Mobile units carry their own battery and are often more resilient during a domestic power cut because they do not rely on a mains-powered router, though the device battery still needs charging and the unit needs adequate mobile signal at the property. Many modern units are hybrid, using broadband when available and falling back to mobile data if the home connection drops, which gives the most robust coverage. The right choice depends on local signal strength and broadband reliability, both of which the telecare operator can assess.
Telecare alarm PSTN replacement options compared
The table below summarises the principal replacement types and where each one fits.
| Replacement option | Connection used | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| IP base unit | Home broadband via router | Homes with stable broadband near the router |
| 4G mobile unit | Cellular data network | Homes with no broadband or weak signal |
| Hybrid unit | Broadband with 4G fallback | Households wanting maximum resilience |
| Digitally tested analogue unit | Digital line, if compatible | Newer alarms that pass a compatibility test |
The hybrid unit is increasingly the default offered by monitoring providers because it removes single points of failure, but the cheaper IP-only or mobile-only options remain valid where circumstances are clear-cut.
Why end-to-end testing matters
Installing a digital-ready alarm is only half the job; the other half is proving that a pressed pendant actually reaches a human at the monitoring centre and opens a clear two-way voice path. A unit can power up, show a reassuring status light and still fail to connect if the broadband is intermittent, the mobile signal is marginal, or the monitoring centre has not been configured to recognise the new device. Because the alarm is a lifeline, a real end-to-end test, where the centre confirms it received the alert and could speak to the user, is the only meaningful proof that the replacement works.
This testing step is also where the transition from analogue to IP exposes hidden weaknesses. A property at the edge of broadband coverage, a router positioned far from where the alarm needs to sit, or a home with poor mobile reception inside thick walls can all undermine an otherwise sound device. Identifying these issues during a planned test, rather than during a genuine emergency, is exactly why the telecare operator should carry out the verification before the analogue line is withdrawn. Where a test reveals weak connectivity, a hybrid unit or a different connection type can be chosen before the old line disappears, leaving no gap in protection.
Who pays and what to check first
Who pays depends on who owns the device. Where a local authority or housing provider supplies the telecare service, the upgrade is generally part of that arrangement and the cost falls to the scheme rather than the household. Where the alarm was bought privately, the household or the private monitoring company would normally fund the replacement. The communications provider is responsible for the broadband line and the battery back-up offer, not for the alarm hardware itself.
Before choosing a replacement, confirm five things: that the monitoring centre supports digital and mobile units, that the property has adequate broadband or mobile signal, that a battery back-up is included, that the new unit has been tested end to end with the monitoring centre, and that the household keeps the account and provider references written down. Checking these in advance avoids the common trap of a device that is technically installed but never verified against the centre that is supposed to answer the call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What replaces PSTN for a personal alarm?
A PSTN personal alarm is replaced by an IP unit that connects through the broadband router, or a mobile unit that uses a 4G data connection independent of the fixed line. Hybrid units combine both, using broadband first and falling back to mobile. The telecare operator usually supplies and tests the replacement.
How does a 4G telecare alarm work?
A 4G telecare alarm contains a mobile data module and connects to the monitoring centre over a cellular network rather than the home phone line. When the pendant is pressed it opens a two-way voice channel like a mobile phone. It needs adequate mobile signal at the property and carries its own battery.
Who pays to upgrade a telecare alarm for PSTN switch-off?
It depends on who owns the device. Where a council, housing provider or monitoring company supplies the service, the upgrade is usually part of that arrangement. Privately bought alarms are normally funded by the household or the private provider. The communications provider covers the broadband line and battery back-up, not the alarm hardware.
Are IP telecare alarms as reliable as PSTN?
A properly configured IP or hybrid alarm with a battery back-up can match or exceed analogue reliability, but it depends on broadband stability and power resilience. The key difference is that the digital line does not carry its own power, so a battery back-up is essential to keep the alarm working during a mains failure.
How do I choose a PSTN replacement for a telecare device?
Confirm the monitoring centre supports digital and mobile units, check broadband and mobile signal at the property, ensure a battery back-up is included, and require an end-to-end test against the monitoring centre. Keep the account and provider references written down. The telecare operator can assess which connection type fits the home.
