HDC Press Release Published: 21 Oct 2025
Horsham District Council is pleased to announce that its Community Link service is fully prepared for the national digital switchover of telephone and broadband lines taking place this year.
More than 1,700 residents who rely on Community Link’s personal alarm system to stay safe and independent in their homes can rest assured that their alarms will continue to function seamlessly after the transition from analogue to digital.
The Council is aware that some broadband providers have asked customers to choose between maintaining their personal alarms or upgrading to digital connections that may disrupt alarm functionality. This concerning practice has been reported to the Ombudsman.
To protect its customers, the Council has proactively upgraded all Community Link devices to operate via SIM cards, ensuring they remain independent of home broadband connections.
Cllr Jay Mercer, Horsham District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Recycling and Waste, said:
“Our customers’ safety and peace of mind are paramount.
“We acted early to ensure all Technology Enabled Care (TEC) products used by our service are digitally compatible, so users can continue to rely on a safe and streamlined service.
“We’re proud of the strong relationships we’ve built with our service users and remain committed to delivering high-quality support across our entire product range.”
Community Link is a trusted support service from Horsham District Council, offering affordable access to assistive technology that empowers residents to live independently. The dedicated team tailors Technology Enabled Care to individual needs, providing reassurance to users and their loved ones that help is always available.
The dedicated team can provide a variety of Technology Enabled Care to meet specific needs of its service users, including peace of mind for family and friends that help can be arranged for loved ones at the press of a button.
Want to find out more about our service and how we help customers live independently? Read more here:
https://www.horsham.gov.uk/community/community-link
Submitted to the Storrington Community Website using the News Item contact form.