Confusion re. landline & analog phone service

[#1]

Firstly, apologies if I'm asking any obvious questions here.

I have agreed to move to FF74. My current setup is as follows:

BT copper to the premises (assume it's copper all the way back to the cabinet). Internet and analog phone connects to this.

When the operative from +net called the other day to discuss moving to FF, I asked him what would happen to my voice service. I am aware that +net are withdrawing from providing voice services and are recommmending moving to EE for that. But my voice service is provided by BT and not +net, and I wanted to keep my connection and telephone number.

When I told him that, he said that - as I wasn't with +net for phone - this shouldn't be affected.

(I asked hum twice, because I didn't quite take it in the first time; he repeated what he had told me).

After the call, I started to wonder: if the BT copper line is removed, how would I connect my analog phone to the new service? Would it even work if I - for instance - plugged it into the Hub2 which they're about to send me (assuming that the Hub2 has such a connection in the first case)? My wider reading suggests that it wouldn't, so how would voice service be available?

If it wouldn't be possible, then I will need to cancel my order very soon and look for a package elsewhere.

Thanks in advance for advice.

[#2]

Assuming you changed just the Plusnet internet from FTTC to FTTP leaving the BT telephone active.

The BT telephone number could then be ported to a VoIP provider e.g. A&A,
the VoiP Phone or VoIP ATA would plug into a network socket of the Hub/Router.

The real question is: Are you happy to be involved with VoIP services as outlined above
or would you prefer an all in one fully supported type of domestic service as is offered by EE & others.

[#3]

@thejudge 

I assume your BT landline service would just continue - for now - as it is unrelated to the Plusnet services. Eventually, BT will be in touch wrt the landline. They will want to put you on their proprietary Digital Voice service, with the same number as your existing landline. How exactly they will do that I am unsure, most likely through a small box that your phone will plug into and the box will plug into one of your Hub 2 Ethernet ports.

You cannot connect your landline phone directly to the Plusnet Hub 2 as it has no provision for directly supporting a landline phone.

[#4]

I think there is a possibility you will lose your phone even though it is provided by BT rather than PN as your existing broadband service over the copper line is associated with that phone number / line and when that existing service ceases it will affect the telephone service also.

The PN Hub 2 does have a Fon socket on the back but it is totally inoperative as PN do not provide a digital voice service unlike BT and EE. The Hub 2 is based on a BT hub and whist the socket remains there is no circuitry to support it within the Hub2.

I you want to keep a landline and if you proceed with PN FF74 you will need to port your number to a VOIP provider but you can only do that once it has been ceased and the number quarantined. You have 30 days to do so before losing the number. If you try to port it before then it will cease your existing broadband service. You will obviously have some down time (days possibly) on your phone service/

There are many posts on these forums about this and comments on various providers such as Andrews and Arnold who do seem to know how to port a quarantined number.

Alternatively stop the move to FF74 and investigate offers from ISPs who provide  digital voice option with a working Fon socket in their provided router. As well as BT and EE, there are other providers such as Zen, Sky and Vodaphone top name a few. Some googling on their websites will reveal their offerings to your address / phone number. My experience with Zen and my neighbour's with Sky(?) suggests that the phone down time is much shorter (hours) in such moves.

[#5]

"I think there is a possibility you will lose your phone even though it is provided by BT rather than PN as your existing broadband service over the copper line is associated with that phone number / line and when that existing service ceases it will affect the telephone service also."

Thinking about this it is very likely the case - but I am not sure. As the whole idea is to close down the existing analogue phone network and eventually convert everyone to the FTTP digital network, it seems likely that converting to FTTP - as opposed to going to SOGEA - would close down the existing landline phone whoever it is with.

However, I do not really know for certain.

BTW, "EE" is effectively the consumer arm of "BT" for phones and general digital services.

[#6]

@thejudge 

As I understand it the move to Full Fibre will automatically cancel your BT phone line even although FF is provided over a completely new fibre cable. You may be liable for BT early termination charges.

You have two choices. Stay with PN and move your phone to a VOIP provider or move to an ISP who does both.

PN will transfer you to EE foc if you organise it through them.

If you want to keep things simple and together and are willing to accept ETC's from PN and BT have a look at Zen Internet. They are not the cheapest but have a good reputation and supply a well regarded router with a phone port and a built in DECT Base station.

Is PN email a concern for you?

Brian

[#7]

How to Ditch Your Landline & Keep Your Number on Mobile

https://www.plexatalk.co.uk/ditch-your-landline-keep-your-number-on-mobile/

They speak of "the end of 2027", but it might be better to think in terms of 'the end of 2026' - if not sooner.

Other providers are available.

[#8]

Thanks to everyone for their comments.

I'm going to phone +net on Monday to cancel the 'upgrade', and then I'll look elsewhere for a more suitable fit. Zen looks like the best bet at the moment, as it gives me FTTP, e-mail, a lot more webspace and voice. Looks cheaper than the combined +net and BT bills as well.

[#9]

@thejudge Zen no longer offer email.

[#10]

Their Bronze hosting package says "10 mailboxes". Have I misunderstood what that means?

[#11]

As a Zen customer, I was told, maybe a year or so ago, that they were withdrawing the mail facility for new customers, and my current account dashboard suggests very strongly that it has been withdrawn. Maybe call them on Monday and query this - and please advise of the response.

edit: Ah, you were looking at their hosting packages, not their Broadband.

[#12]

Phew, that's a relief! Things were in danger of getting complicated! 😀

The e-mail addresses (I assume, but I'll ask them anyway) would be keyed to the domain name rather than Zen itself.

[#13]

@thejudge unless you really need 50Gb of webspace , then Zen's hosting package is very expensive.

I'd suggest having a look at Mythic beasts for hosting and email https://www.mythic-beasts.com/hosting . Their Web 35 provides similar bandwidth but only a 10Gb space for £4.20/m ( or £48/yr if paid annually ) 

[#14]

Thanks for the tip. I'll check that out.