Migration, full fibre, landline and hosting problems

[#1]

I want to upgrade to full fibre broadband and keep my landline number. PlusNet tells me that they cannot do this and I will need to move to BT if I want to keep the number. I have two more or less dormant WordPress blogs hosted on a PN server which I do not want to lose. The PN support person I was in contact with about this initially doubted the existence of such a server and then described it a as very legacy. He made it clear that this was outside his range. PN does not host my blog domains. These are hosted at what was Free Parking, which has recently rebranded as Names. I use them to forward traffic to the blogs and also some email traffic. This service is free. PN tell me that their hosting ceases if I move BUT … Does anyone know whether it is possible to continue at PN with a hosting only account? Also, what problems I am likely to face if I try to move the blogs? Will it just be a matter of copying my files across and adjusting the forwarding address? Or will I have to completely rebuild them the blogs? And would it be possible to run them from iCloud or some similar facility? I am not a techie, but I used to know enough to build, set up and maintain WordPress blogs at PN years ago. At the moment I have a snail’s pace broadband connection, and everything takes hours. I am getting nowhere with PN support fixing this. Therefor I apologise in advance for any delay in responding if someone is kind enough to help with these questions.

[#2]

@TonyN 

Current support staff have little or no knowledge of legacy products. They usually don't even kown that PN ran a FTTP Trial which some users may still be on.

While moving to an ISP that does both internet and VOIP is the easiest option you do not have to leave PN. After FTTP is installed (same day or next) you can "port" your number out to a VOIP provider. You would have some downtime on the phone service.

Depending on your phone usage A&A seem to offer a good deal - use your mobile for outgoing calls. There are other VOIP providers. https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/

Note that VOIP doesn't work during power cuts and you may need to buy an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA) for use with your current phones.

Brian

[#3]

Does anyone know whether it is possible to continue at PN with a hosting only account?

That's no longer possible.

I want to upgrade to full fibre broadband and keep my landline number.

Is full fibre actually available to you ?

PlusNet tells me that they cannot do this and I will need to move to BT if I want to keep the number.

Yes, moving to BT gives a Digital voice option. You could also consider moving to Full fibre with Plusnet and porting your number to a voip supplier.

Also, what problems I am likely to face if I try to move the blogs? Will it just be a matter of copying my files across and adjusting the forwarding address? Or will I have to completely rebuild them the blogs?

Not knowing exactly how your blogs are constructed its difficult to say but Mythic beast provide good value hosting https://www.mythic-beasts.com/hosting

[#4]

Apologies for bad formatting but connection dropping out before edit screen can load!

[#5]

Many thanks Brian. I should have mentioned that my landline is with BT and broadband with PN. AA certainly looks interesting, but my connection is still so slow it is impossible to browse the site thoroughly. Tony

[#6]

Many thanks MisterW. There is full fibre to the pole by the house. Is it possible to keep my BT landline until after I upgrade to full fibre with PN, and once that is up and running’ then move to VoIP with my old number? I would be very sorry to leave PN not least because of this forum. I started with the net in the 1990s as an Enterprise Net (Isle of Man) customer before PN took them over. However my experience with an impossibly slow connection at the moment, and support’s failure even to reply to a ticket, make me wonder whether this is the time to go. So I will explore Mythic Beasts as soon as my connection allows. It’s ironic that in order to move anything I need a connection better than the one I have at present.

[#7 · Accepted solution]

@TonyN 

Having the phone and internet from different suppliers helps - if things don't go pear shaped. It also makes it more difficult to offer advice as very few customers are in your situation.

As it happens, I was one of them but when I moved to FTTP (on the PN Trial) in late 2017 there was a staff wizard on the Forum who helped ensure things went smoothly. As soon as my FTTP was up and running I cancelled my phone service with BT. Three of my neighbours did similar.

You want to check the box that says keep landline (as I understand the order process) and then make sure the installer knows the phone line is active with another supplier so is not to be touched.

Once FTTP is up and running you can port your active line. Consider your BT contract for any early termination charges.

If it works then the phone line remains active and you can choose any VOIP supplier.

Try phoning the PlusNet Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632 to see what they say about it. An FTTP order might just cancel your BT landline as part of the process. You should be ready to move to VOIP before you start the process just in case.

Brian

[#8]

@TonyN
Have a look at the WordPress plugin Duplicator. Great for migration of sites from one server to another.

[#9]

@TonyN as @bmc mentioned having separate suppliers can be an advantage, it certainly helped me transition to VOIP! 😀 Though you don't say what broadband you currently have, I'd guess given your legacy situation that it's probably good old ADSL.

You can basically (as I did) have a new broadband line installed from any supplier you choose then manage the migration at your leisure (with possibly some overlap of costs). I chose A&A for VOIP.

In my case I went from ADSL to SOGEA/FTTC as there's no FTTP in our area, with a new master socket in a better location than the GPO chose back in the sixties when our house was built! Being out of contract with with BT and PN meant minimal cancellation charges and the overlapping rentals were soon recovered by lower ongoing costs.

[#10]

There seems to be a sort of Catch-22 in this.  I do not have any issues with speeds or anything on my existing FTTC service, am happy to upgrade to 'full fibre' and to stay with Plusnet, but want to retain my phone number.  It seems that if I transfer the number to a VOIP then my landline gets terminated, losing the broadband, and if I transfer the broadband to FTTP then I lose my phone number. I understand that there is provision for a certain amount of overlap, but past experience suggests I should expect things to go 'pear shaped', for example when I upgraded from ADSL to FTTC it took Plusnet almost 12 months to actually start the service.

So, is there any way I can do the upgrade without risk of my phone number falling into a black hole?

[#11]

@HPsauce 

If @TonyN went for a second account he would lose his web space. He's trying to avoid that at the moment while he figures out how to move his site.

Brian

[#12]

@puposet 

You have 30 days from the cease of your landline to port your number. The main problem is some VOIP providers (like Sipgate) can't deal with a "ceased" line. Others (like A&A) are happy to go the extra mile and phone to get a manual port done.

There may haver been problems in the past but number ports seem to be fairly stable now.

Brian

[#13]

Many thanks Mystreet1 Of course, and I should have realised that there would be a plugin, but I’m afraid that my Wordpress tech is pretty rusty these days. However it looks as though I may stay with PN afterall.

[#14]

Many thanks HPSauce Fortunately I am out of contract with both BT for the landline and PN for broadband. Looks as though I will stay with PN for FTTP and move to Vonage for VoIP. And you are right, I am on ADSL.

[#15]

Brian PN Customer Options Team very helpful. They suggest moving to VoIP and then to FTTP and see no problems in doing so. Vonage Home Phonely is their suggestion for VoIP but I will be looking at AA too. They see no problem with keeping the hosting and I hope they are right. As I will be away for the middle weeks Sept that is what I will probably do when I get back. Will report back on how it works out. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction Tony