Upgrading from ADSL to FTTC

[#1]

@symmetry 

Others might have better eyesight than me but it's double dutch to me.

When you added it did you state small, medium or large for the image.

Either way, can you attach it as a file (click on the paperclip below trhe Reply window).

Brian

[#2]

I think its also missing the rh column which will give the SoGEA availability for VDSL

[#3]

@bmc 

I did select the large option, but the uploaded image was still truncated at any size larger than this one.  I may be hitting the 21Mb limit.  I'll try the paper clip icon option asap, but the broadband checker site is now saying 'currently unavailable' (probably because I've used it multiple times today).

Meantime, I've now spoken to the Customer Options Team who say they can offer PlusNet Fibre (FTTC) at £24.99 for 72Mb (which is very close to Full Fibre, but without the digging).  I just have to suffer the landline going into quarantine for a few days.  I do still need to confirm this is ok with the new voip provider for our landline, before I pull the trigger.

So thanks for all the helpful advice, and it looks like my issue might now be addressed.

I'll post a larger broadband checker image for completeness when it's available, but I think the main lesson here is to call the Broadband Options Team in preference to the normal Sales & Support number for FTTC issues.

[#4]

I've tried to attach the broadband checker image as a paperclip attachment.

There is no column for SOGEA on this report, at least.

Sorry, there is an SOGEA column, just not on the far right

[#5 · Accepted solution]

@symmetry 

COTS was going to be my final suggestion once we'd figured out what was available.

Have a look at the image on your computer / laptop. It may already be complete.

If the phone option isn't available on the Checker you could aways try the Address version.

Your transfer to a SOGEA line will automatically cancel your BT line and contract so ETC's may be payable to BT. Do not speak to BT in case they take it as an instruction to cancel your phone line, which then cancels your PN internet (no line, no ADSL).

Confirm with your chosen VOIP supplier they can handle "ceased" lines. Do not place an order until PN confirm your SOGEa connection (and do not use One Touch Switching). You can use the time to look at your phone and any work needed to get it to work with VOIP.

Brian

[#6]

@symmetry 

I missed the post with the attachment.

SOGEA is available - it appears under WBC SOGEA Available. You'll get good speeds.

Although PN don't offer a product it also appears G.fast is available. This offers faster speeds than FTTC while still using the copper line.

Under WBC FTTP you'll see to the right it states KCI2 - this means a survey is required before any FTTP install.

Finally, as you stated the Exchange is not a Fibre Priority. Had it been so, you would have had no choice but to order Full Fibre, especially when the phone (PSTN) service is withdrawn which would have cancelled your ADSL service.

Brian

[#7]

So I'm ready to upgrade my ADSL broadband to SOGEA and switch my BT Landline to VOIP with Freely.

AIUI if I move the broadband first, the landline goes down and I lose the landline number unless Freely can reclaim it within 14 days.  If I avoid this issue by upgrading to VOIP first, then I lose the ADSL broadband until PlusNet upgrade me to SOGEA,  And also the PlustNet COTS team tell me I risk losing my username, emails and webspace as my account may be closed before my broadband comes back up.

Is there any way around this problem, or do I just have to weigh the risk of losing my phone number against the risk of losing my email address and web address?

[#8]

@symmetry I don't know how good 'Freely' are at reclaimng 'ceased' numbers, but you have 30 days before it is unquarantined and returned to the range-holder.

You need to ensure PN have moved you to SoGEA - and confirmed it. You then have 30 days for Freely to reclaim and transfer the number. Doing it any other way will lose your BB connection.

[#9]

@symmetry 

You have 30 days to port a landline number after it is ceased by your current provider. I assume Freely can handle ceased lines.

I'm afraid there's no way to avoid the downtime with the phone. You must sort out your internet connection first.

PN are  in the process of moving email and webspace services to a third party. Once this happens you can leave PN but retain the add ons you currently have. It's £15 a year for email - not certain about webspace. You get two free years so long as you're with PN.

Brian

[#10]

@symmetry 

What you describe is correct.

However a few thing to consider -

I believe the landline number quarantine period is 30 days (not 14).  If 'Freely' can't migrate your number quickly, then you'll still have a window of opportunity (within the 30 days) to try other VoIP suppliers (such as A&A) who have a known good track record of successful migrations from ceased Plusnet lines.

Given that Plusnet are in the process of offloading their email and webspace services to Greenby in the next few months, then you could delay upgrading your broadband until after your email and webspace have been moved off the Plusnet platform, and therefore eliminate the risk of losing your email and webspace - as those services should no longer be part of of your Plusnet account.

You say that you want to move to SoGEA because you don't want the disruption of installing FTTP - which is understandable.

However, if you intend to live in the same house for the foreseeable future, consider that Openreach will be withdrawing copper based services, starting trial area withdrawals from 2027, then mass exchange closures and removal of copper services from 2030.  Therefore everyone will be forced on to FTTP in the next few years, so you might want to take in to account that moving to FTTP is inevitable, therefore consider whether you want to do it later, or get it over and done with now - seeing as you have that option available to you today.

.

[#11]

@symmetry 

and switch my BT Landline to VOIP with Freely.

Did you mean 'Phonely' ? AFAIK Freely is a TV service 

 If so, you might want to read this thread https://community.plus.net/t5/Home-Phone/Yet-another-VOIP-question/td-p/2001873 , although the OP there didn't get back with the results of contacting Phonely

[#12]

@MisterW  You're right, I did mean Phonely (just looking at moving off FreeView to Freely atm)

@outcast:  Thanks for the info on the Greenby migration. I'd like to wait, but I'm concerned my exchange will soon become FTTP only so I need to request the SOGEA upgrade soon.

And thanks to everyone for the help.  I have to say this is a very active and knowledgeable community compared to others I've tried to use.

I've decided to trust Phonely to catch the landline number whist it's still in quarantine, and go ahead with the PlusNet upgrade first.

[#13]

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@symmetry wrote:

I've decided to trust Phonely to catch the landline number whist it's still in quarantine, and go ahead with the PlusNet upgrade first.

---

@symmetry 

That sounds like a reasonable plan ! - sometimes you just have to make a decision and have faith in the process.

Keep us updated here on your progress, as it would be useful (for others) to know how the 'Phonely' migration works.

😎

[#14]

As my upgrade is now complete, I thought I'd list the steps I took to help ensure a successful outcome.

The objective was to upgrade an ADSL broadband service to FTTC without losing our existing BT analogue landline number.  The broadband was upgraded to SOGEA by the PlusNet COTS team, and the BT landine was ported to VOIP by Phonely.  To minimise the risk of losing the landline number and/or the PlusNet account, I used the following sequence

1.  Set up a Phonely account and subscribe to their VOIP service, but DO NOT return their porting request form yet. This means you'll receive a pre-configured VOIP phone adapter by post, which you can install to make outgoing calls immediately (even over ADSL).  This adapter is free with a one year subscription.

2.  Request a PlusNet SOGEA upgrade from the COTS team and make a note of the date they provide for the work.  In my case, I received a different date by text from BT Openreach an hour later, and this date turned out to be correct.

3.  When you have a confirmed date, return the Phonely Porting Request Form (CLoA) with the number to be reclaimed.

4. Within 5 days, our phone began receiving incoming calls too, along with a confirmation email from Phonely.

I have to say I was very impressed with the VOIP service and especially the Phonely support in advance of the upgrade. I would recommend this company to anyone else who needs to retain a landline (with an existing, or a new number).  The website is at www.phonely.co.uk and the phone number is 0800 112 5000.

Hope this helps.

[#15]

3.  When you have a confirmed date, return the Phonely Porting Request Form (CLoA) with the number to be reclaimed.

@symmetry can you clarify this ?

Did you wait until the confirmed date arrived and the change to SoGEA was complete before returning the form ?

OR

Did you return the form before but put the confirmed date as the requetsed date for porting ?