Neighbourhood watch Scotland and partners AbilityNet have teamed up with BT to help deliver their Digital Voice programme, connecting neighbours and communities across Scotland.
BT are working to inform those who are still using an analogue home landline that this signal will be switched off in January 2027. Their customers will need to upgrade to a digital hub which can be connected to a digital connection.
This step may not mean having to buy a new handset if it is compatible with a digital socket, but it will entail having to have a digital hub installed into the property.
The good news is that the digital upgrade itself will not cost BT customers more, and that 99% of current handsets are compatible. BT are also keen to point out that costs going forward will not be more than already charged.
The digital phoneline will screen out a huge percentage of unwanted calls from scammers and salespeople and will deliver clearer sound through the upgraded technology.
BT approached Neighbourhood Watch Scotland towards the end of 2024 to help with this project as NWS have a number of strengths that would support their aims. Further discussions revealed that their budget allowed for us to fund a programme of activity in support of this.
Through our engagement with BT, we established that AbilityNet, a charity that supports older and disabled people, would also be helping with the region-by-region Digital Voice rollout.
How we will be helping spread the message:
- Collaborate with our partners AbilityNet. Using our network of Watches and groups across Scotland to spread the word about the switchover to these customers, and to show them the way to keep their lines open
- Face-to-face sessions, focussing on Rural Communities.
- The opportunity for customers to ask questions in a non-judgmental atmosphere with tangible solutions on hand and printed material available to take home.
Initially we will be delivering a funded ‘pilot’ project in Fife, West Lothian, and East Lothian at Glenrothes, Bathgate and Musselburgh respectively using Neighbourhood Watch staff and volunteers to deliver open sessions at three venues.
Following this we will move forward to a wider project offering multiple local sessions across twelve local authorities (Aberdeenshire, Angus, Clackmannanshire, Western Isles, East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, Moray, Perth and Kinross, Scottish Borders and West Lothian).
Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Network will deliver a programme of approximately 20 local events across the local authorities, provided by trained Neighbourhood Watch Scotland staff and volunteers.
Local BT Digital Voice events in Scotland
Below, you can see information on the local events being carried out by Neighbourhood Watch Scotland and AbilityNet in Scotland, with details such as the venue address, the time, and the date of the sessions.
This page will be regularly updated. If you have any questions about the local events, please contact the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland team.