A digital landline normally uses powered broadband equipment. During a power cut, the handset alone may not be enough to make calls. Speak to your provider about the exact service and backup arrangement, especially if the landline is your main route to emergency help.
Explain your circumstances
Tell the provider if you do not have a working mobile, reliable mobile signal or another usable contact route. Mention disability or support needs relevant to using the service. Ofcom explains provider responsibilities and backup support for people who depend on a landline; check the current guidance and ask how it applies to you.
- Keep the provider's contact and agreement details on paper.
- Ask which equipment the backup must support.
Include connected services
Care alarms, telecare pendants and other devices can use the phone line. Tell both the communications provider and the device supplier before a change. Do not assume a phone that makes ordinary calls proves every connected service works safely. Ask how compatibility and outage arrangements will be confirmed.
Keep the limits clear
Find out the intended backup duration, maintenance and what to do if an interruption lasts longer. A home battery does not guarantee that the wider network remains available. Follow the provider's instructions and do not improvise electrical connections. Make the arrangement understandable to the person using it and authorised helpers. Review it after moving, changing broadband provider or replacing equipment, because the old setup may no longer match the service on which you rely.
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