topic Re: Whats next for Dad? in My Account/Billing

Whats next for Dad?

cpcnw — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:12:38 GMT

Me old Da' is still on an ADSL account that is OOC. He's now paying £60 pcm. He doesn't even use the internet but at the last nego it was agreed we'd leave it as was to keep the phone line and phone he was used to.

Obviously when that arrangement expired the price went up. I have spoken to PN who say the only option now is to either;

a) Keep paying the £60 and keep the phone

b) Agree to a new tariff and lose the landline

I know I can port the number over to A&A which is what I will likely do.

But are there any other options I should know about?

Re: Whats next for Dad?

dvorak — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:37:26 GMT

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Broadband to My Account / Billing

Re: Whats next for Dad?

jab1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:54:13 GMT

@cpcnw Is your dad able to get FTTC or FTTP.?

Both those options are better - and cheaper.

Re: Whats next for Dad?

bmc — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:10:00 GMT

@cpcnw

An internet connection is required so have a look at what is available.

There would be a few days downtime on the phone. Note that VOIP doesn't work during power cuts without backup and house extensions won't function without some work.

Brian

Re: Whats next for Dad?

jab1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:15:20 GMT

@bmc wrote:

@cpcnw

Note that VOIP doesn't work during power cuts without backup

Brian

Neither do fridges/freezers/TVs

Re: Whats next for Dad?

cpcnw — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:40:32 GMT

FTTC as a minimum I think. Looking for lowest cost seeing how its literally just so he can use a 'standard phone'

Re: Whats next for Dad?

jab1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:47:46 GMT

@cpcnw What does https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL show as available for his phone number? Obscure any personal details if you attach a screenshot.

Re: Whats next for Dad?

markhawkin — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:12:22 GMT

@cpcnw

I assume both phone line and ADSL are with Plusnet.

As the phone line is the important bit then the primary problem is that Plusnet no longer have a phone line only service.

BT have various "phone line replacement" services, some of which act like a "real" phone line.

I've recently assisted a relative with this and the outcome was a BT fibre broadband service (with a battery backup unit) and the phones plugged into that.

Re: Whats next for Dad?

cpcnw — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:31:29 GMT

Re: Whats next for Dad?

MisterW — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:39:40 GMT

I've approved the image so others can see it. I assume the phone number has been redacted.

@cpcnw from the availability checker, it would seem that WBC FTTP is available and since the exchange is 'Fibre priority' , then the only option to order is Full fibre (FTTP)

The infrastructure is an O/H feed with no anticipated problems. So its just where to locate the CSP and ONT ?

Re: Whats next for Dad?

jab1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:40:19 GMT

@MisterW The phone number is NOT redacted, despite my warning, and you are correct.

Re: Whats next for Dad?

MisterW — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:41:50 GMT

@jab1 what's there is not a valid phone number , its not got enough digits.

Re: Whats next for Dad?

mystreet1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:41:53 GMT

@cpcnw

If dad is on any benefits have a look at BT
https://www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials

Re: Whats next for Dad?

jab1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:43:21 GMT

@MisterW wrote:

@jab1 what's there is not a valid phone number , its not got enough digits.

Didn't notice that - just saw a phone number. 😉

Re: Whats next for Dad?

cpcnw — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:52:58 GMT

Specsavers 😀

Re: Whats next for Dad?

cpcnw — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:06:16 GMT

I've looked at some other providers who say they can't provide service (yet) FibreOptic being one. Why is this? Not that I particularly want to go with them. In fact just want the cheapest.

That might actually be 5G...

Or a mobile.

Re: Whats next for Dad?

corringham — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:18:08 GMT

Your best choice for phone only may well be using the mobile network - you can get GSM desk phones that look like traditional landline phones so it feels more familiar, and there are some good cheap contracts available with some of the resellers rather than the main networks. You can even divert VoIP to a mobile, so you could even keep the same landline number if that is a concern.
Other VoIP options usually require a broadband connection - which is an unnecessary cost just to get a phone.

Re: Whats next for Dad?

bmc — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:45:35 GMT

@cpcnw

Have another look at the Checker - what does it say to the right of WBC FTTP (Available, One Stage, KCI2)?

I can't find a website for FibreOptic - is it an AltNet which uses a different backbone network and not OpenReach?

It would be well worth a phone call to BT Retail to see what they can offer for your dad. There is a very basic phone only product but I don't know anything about it - even if it's available. As mentioned before, if your dads on any sort of benefits then a social tarriff may be available.

Brian

Re: Whats next for Dad?

MisterW — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:48:35 GMT

I've looked at some other providers who say they can't provide service (yet) FibreOptic being one. Why is this?

Its because the fibre infrastructure is Openreach's. So only providers who use Openreach are currently able to provide the service. The 'altnets' need to install their own infrastructure

Re: Whats next for Dad?

cpcnw — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:47:26 GMT

>> You can even divert VoIP to a mobile, so you could even keep the same landline number if that is a concern.

Good idea - thanks!