The telecoms industry is moving forward with its plans to digitise the entire telecommunications infrastructure with the aim of delivering more services to a larger number of customers. The Digital Britain report is also driving the industry to keep Britain at the forefront of digital innovation.

As the infrastructure changes, reliability and functionality of some emergency alarm systems within grouped housing schemes will become an issue. The grouped housing schemes affected by these changes (i.e. those with Piper Group and Piper Haven speech modules) have been successfully maintained well beyond their manufacturing life. However the combination of the changes to the telecoms infrastructure, ageing equipment and the unavailability of spare parts will mean they are no longer serviceable to the high standard required for life saving alarm systems.

The Piper Group speech module was first launched in 1979 and was replaced by the Piper Haven speech module in 1987. Manufacture of the Piper Haven speech module ceased in 1994 meaning the systems affected range between 15 and 30 years old - well beyond their intended life.

As a result, Tunstall has announced to the NHC that it has no alternative but to withdraw service support for schemes that currently use Piper Group and Piper Haven speech modules from April 2011. Tunstall has informed NHC that the age of the equipment and the unavailability of spare parts beyond April 2011 means any servicing capability will be severely restricted and may leave residents at risk.

As these products provide an important safety service to a large number of residents, it is vital that these schemes are upgraded in order to protect residents into the future.