Digital Voice: alarm systems and medical devices

This article is important if you (or someone in your household) uses a device that phones out over the landline — including personal alarms, care alarms, telecare, monitored security alarms, or medical monitors.

Why it matters

Digital Voice runs over your broadband and mains power. In a power cut or broadband outage, phone service stops working — unlike the old copper landline, which drew power from the exchange.

Before switching

• Tell us BEFORE your activation. Contact 0800 260 6626 or email hello@occta.co.uk.
• We will assess your setup at no cost.
• If you are a vulnerable customer, we provide a battery backup unit free of charge, or arrange an alternative.

Compatibility

Most modern alarm devices work fine over Digital Voice. Some older telecare units do not. If in doubt, contact the alarm provider AND OCCTA before we switch you.

During a power cut

• A battery backup gives you around 1 hour of Digital Voice at 999.
• Have a fully-charged mobile phone as backup.
• Know your address to quote to 999 if needed.

Ofcom rules and OCCTA policy

We follow the Ofcom guidance on landline dependency, and we will never migrate a known vulnerable customer to Digital Voice without first confirming a safe fallback is in place.

This guide is for general information only. Your accepted Contract Summary, Contract Information and OCCTA terms apply to your service.