EXCLUSIVE: Amid a national concern over a lack of support for customers, MailOnline can reveal it will take months for telecoms firms to develop a definition for 'vulnerable' people.
Pensioners and other vulnerable people are still in the dark about the digital landline switchover, as bosses are warned by campaigners that many still do not understand how to avoid being left with broadband they don't know how to use.
But the current timetable of completing the change by 2025 across the UK is looking increasingly unlikely amid concerns that older and vulnerable people, who are more likely to rely on landlines for communication, could be placed in danger. Campaigners have slammed the deadline as 'ludicrous'. At a recent meeting between civil servants from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the head of Silver Voices Dennis Reed, MailOnline understands it was pledged that no existing customers at telecoms firms such as BT, Virgin and EE will be forced to switchover to the new digital system.
This followed cases in which vulnerable people who had had the new internet-based service installed finding that personal alarms, designed to automatically call for help in emergencies, no longer worked.But the process to define 'vulnerable' people is expected to take several months, potentially leaving thousands of people who take on a new landline contract without this package of support.
The government is working with telecoms firms on the definition of 'vulnerable', but hopes to have this resolved by the summer In March, BT reportedly informed the government it would no longer be able to transfer all customers by 2025, with talks underway for a new deadline which could be pushed back as far as 2027.MailOnline previously reported how the forced rollout was paused in December following a number of 'serious incidents' in which personal alarms failed.
Providers previously promised to carry out extra checks on those who have already been forcibly migrated to digital to ensure they do not have telecare devices the provider was unaware of, and if they do, to ensure suitable support is provided.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
EXCLUSIVE: Man United decision latest on Ten Hag future amid Southgate interestErik ten Hag has had a tough season at Man Utd but he has picked up some positive results of late and could yet secure a third season in charge at Old Trafford.
Read more »
EXCLUSIVE: VR46 speak out amid Ducati negotiations and Yamaha rumoursVR46 are 'happy with Ducati' but 'deserve more' after 2023 performances.
Read more »
Phone scammers tricked pensioners into handing over nearly £12,000Arbaaz Khan, 31, was part of a phone scamming ring targeting vulnerable pensioners, with an average age of 87, sending a 'runner' to collect the bank card from the victims' homes.
Read more »
Phone scammers tricked pensioners into handing over nearly £12,000Arbaaz Khan, 31, was part of a phone scamming ring targeting vulnerable pensioners, with an average age of 87, sending a 'runner' to collect the bank card from the victims' homes.
Read more »
Phone scammers tricked pensioners into handing over nearly £12,000Arbaaz Khan, 31, was part of a phone scamming ring targeting vulnerable pensioners, with an average age of 87, sending a 'runner' to collect the bank card from the victims' homes.
Read more »
Women pensioners are £1.4k worse off annually in retirement than menWomen are more likely to have a lower income compared to men post retirement, with disparities from the beginning of their careers
Read more »