The digital switchover is fast approaching . By January 2027, the UK's analogue telephone network will be gone, and behind it sits a second, quieter deadline: the retirement of the 2G networks that still carry the connection for thousands of personal alarms, fall detectors and telecare devices. For most people, the transition will be seamless. However, for health technology specialists, it represents one of the biggest changes the sector has faced in a while.
Network performance is already declining ahead of the planned switch-off dates, and this is likely to continue as operators reduce support for older networks. This means the risk to services doesn’t start when the networks are switched off – it must start now.
Understand what is still using 2G
Before migration can begin, providers need a clear picture of which devices are still relying on 2G and where they are being used. Many telecare devices have been in place for years, and it might not be apparent which devices are still relying on the older networks. Understanding this is the first step to identifying the people and services that could be most affected when the digital switchover takes place.
Test before migrating at scale
Moving away from 2G can affect devices differently depending on type, location, and power supply. Testing in stages helps identify any issues early and allows enough time to resolve any issues before migration is rolled out more widely. This is particularly important where a reliable connection is essential to keeping a telecare service user safe.
Housing providers can begin testing by piloting the switch with a small number of schemes, checking that alarm calls actually reach the response centre rather than just confirming whether the line it relies on is still live.
Work closely with network operators
Some networks have announced the proposed switch-off dates, which are a useful deadline, but it isn’t as simple as that. Network performance is likely to vary between locations, and telecare providers need to be prepared for how these changes will affect different devices across different sites. Working closely with network operators can help identify potential issues earlier and make sure that services remain connected throughout the switchover.
For example, when a leading mobile network provider restricted 2G access in last October, Everon’s devices automatically switched to the strongest available network, while its teams worked behind the scenes to upgrade users without disruption. This demonstrated the importance of devices being able to move between networks and the need for providers to plan for changes before they affect service continuity.
As an international provider, Everon faced this challenge on two fronts at once, navigating O2's 2G sunset in the UK. The team surveyed every installed device remotely to see which networks it could actually reach, then scored each one green, orange or red depending on how well it would cope once O2 disappeared. Devices with strong backup coverage were left alone; those with weaker options were queued for upgrades; and any device at risk of losing connection altogether was prioritised immediately or swapped out.
This process was repeated regularly, since network conditions kept shifting in the run-up to switch-off. Alongside this, Everon moved its devices onto VoLTE and VoIP, both of which carry voice calls over 4G rather than 2G, giving the whole fleet a long-term, sunset-proof foundation. The result wasn't just a fix for the O2 deadline. It was a service now ready for every 2G switch-off still to come, wherever it happens next.
Look beyond the switch-off deadline
The move away from 2G should not simply be viewed as a deadline to meet. It is an opportunity for healthcare providers to move to more reliable, longer-term connectivity and reduce the risk of any future disruption. Starting the process ahead of the pending deadlines allows providers more time to test, resolve issues and make sure service users don’t even notice the change, it should be a seamless transition for them.
Being prepared
For most industries, losing a network connection is an inconvenience, however for telecare, it can have serious consequences. A reliable connection is essential to ensuring calls for help reach the right people when most needed. Preparing early means the transition can happen without service users noticing a change at all.
