ADSL + Home Phone. Want to stay with plus net. What are options?

[#1]

I look after my father-in-law’s internet for him (93, housebound). He currently has a PlusNet ADSL connection with a home phone. He wants to keep the home phone, and it is particularly important to him to retain his existing number.

I would prefer to keep him on PlusNet in a "better the devil you know" sort of way - however, with PlusNet discontinuing home phones within 12 months or so, we need a solution.

Ideally, I would like to migrate him to a third-party VoIP provider now. Then, stay with PlusNet for the broadband. Is this an option? I've read that because he is on ADSL, there is a risk of the number port to external VoIP putting a cease on the line and disconnecting broadband.

Any other solutions?

if we are forced to go with the EE Transfer, then:
1 - Is keeping the current phone number solid and reliable?
2 - Is it possible after the migration to move voice to a third party, then transfer broadband back to plus-net after the shortest possible EE contract?

Please help. He gets quite upset at these sorts of changes.
Ant.

[#2]

@tonycollinet 

Can you post a screen image of the results from the following (hiding any personal details). Include the narrative below the results window.

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

If ADSL is the only option then it's probably your father will need to move to BT (not EE). Very few providers offer the ADSL digital alternative (SOADSL). PN do not offer SOADSL.

Famous last words I know but there shouldn't be any problem in keeping the phone number. You should be able to score a battery backup unit for him to keep the phone working for an hour or so during power cuts.

Brian

[#3]

Pretty certain at least FTTC is available. We haven't changed him over due to the aforementioned resistance to change.


I'll check the link.

EDIT : Here it is:

[#4]

If Fttc is available it may be better to get that installed as a new line first. Prove that it is working, then port the number to VOIP which will cancel the adsl line. Least downtime on the landline number. It what some else did on here but cannot remember who.

[#5]

Looks like it is only Sogea (I've always used that interchangeably with FTTC. I realise they are different products)

[#6]

SoGEA is FTTC without the phone component - as @mystreet1 says, the only way round your situation is to get a SoGEA connection and then cancel the ADSL, which should release the phone number for transfer to VoIP.

[#7]

I believe cancelling the ADSL will cause the phone number to be lost.

[#8]

@tonycollinet I understand, but could be wrong, that it should still be available for transfer for 30 days.

[#9]

@mystreet1 said "If Fttc is available it may be better to get that installed as a new line first. Prove that it is working, then port the number to VOIP which will cancel the adsl line. Least downtime on the landline number. It what some else did on here but cannot remember who."

That was me, maybe others. I was out of contract on my landline (with BT) and ADSL (with PN) so not an exact parallel as I had no cancellation charges to pay. Had to pay the standard installation fee (£50?) for a new SOGEA line. Didn't use PN email anyway and this meant a new account and username.

My drop wire had spare pairs so an easy job for the engineer and my new SOGEA line was installed in a better location - I pre-drilled a cable hole to ensure it was tidy and exactly where I wanted it. Once running I cancelled the old ADSL then slightly later transferred my landline number to A&A which cancelled the POTS line.

So I'd say you need to know what you're doing to get it done smoothly. I set up my VOIP kit ahead of time with an additional local number so that I knew it worked and how to set up quickly after the transfer.

[#10]

So I've been looking at EE prices for VOIP and they are very high compared with alternatives.

Then I looked at Andrew & Aarnold as a potential destination for both internet and phone. Their internet costs are high, but their very low charges for phone offset that so they are a little cheaper than EE. Plus they have an amazing reputation for customer support and making sure things work.

Given the choice between EE and A&A at a similar price there is no contest.

Going to put this to one side now and pick it up at the beginning of may, 6 weeks before FIL's contract with plus net ends.

Thanks everyone for your input.

[#11]

To minimise risk and complications, you might want to consider the following strategy.

1. Get a VoIP account established with your preferred supplier with a temporary number
2. Set up and test the VoIP handset / ATA or whatever
3. Arrange the SWITCH to SoGEA
4. On CONFIRMED completion port the existing phone number to the VoIP account 

This avoids …

• A new account with the potential loss of email and referrals 
• Disruption of a new circuit installation
• Loss of phone service if there are complications setting up the VoIP service / equipment 

[#12]

@tonycollinet 

Thanks for the information.

The availability of SOGEA (FTTC) changes everything. Your FIL has options. The fact his current contract ends in July (if I can count) also helps.

He has two choices - stay with PN and transfer the phone to a VOIP provider or move to an ISP who offers both.

I personally see no reason to set up a new PN account though if you're happy with A&A for VOIP setting up an account in advance (as suggested) to ensure it works and the phones are ready is not a bad idea. There is some downtime between SOGEA going active and the number port occuring so he would still have an active phone. Note - you CANNOT initiate the number port until SOGEA is confirmed as up and running.

https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/

You would also need to get an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA) for the phone as the phone port on the PN router is inactive.

If looking for an easier transition going to an ISP who does both is the option. They usually supply the ATA or provide a router that has one built in. I believe Zen Internet offers a good option - not the cheapest but they have a well regarded router with a built in ATA. It can even handle DECT phones with a built in Base Station.

Either way VOIP doesn't work in power cuts.

Brian

[#13]

---

@bmc wrote:

...
I personally see no reason to set up a new PN account though if you're happy with A&A for VOIP setting up an account in advance (as suggested) to ensure it works and the phones are ready is not a bad idea. There is some downtime between SOGEA going active and the number port occuring so he would still have an active phone. Note - you CANNOT initiate the number port until SOGEA is confirmed as up and running.

 
Isn't there a risk of the old phone number going AWOL though, if the copper line is turned off as part of the SOGEA change? As I understand it you can't have a landline together with SOGEA.

[#14]

I suspect a "minimum change" solution is needed.

It's a bit tricky this and, to a degree, depends on the user's ability to take change and also whether a mobile is a usable backup.

Best value is probably to go down the third party VoIP route however a supplier with a "landline" option makes it all one supplier.

I might, however,  think about Vodafone in this case.

I believe they provide a phoneline with broadband and it comes out of their router. I don't know what their call charges are like.

If there are extensions then internal phone wiring will need to be changed to keep them in action.  

[#15]

The issues with the phone number going AWOL in a switch to SoGEA is somewhat historical.  The safest route might be to go to a provider who offers both Broadband and VoIP (or digital voice) as a single package.  No one now offers “landline” as is at present other than BT in exceptional circumstances.

EE’s package is digital voice, a proprietary BT service, an existing phone can be plugged into the back of the router.

Zen’s package is excellent but at a price, their router is impressive, an existing phone can be plugged into the back of the router, or DECT handsets can be paired with the in-built DECT base station.  I’ve paired handsets from two systems into one of their routers creating a 6 handset PABX.  The call management functions are comprehensive.

Vodaphone’s product is well priced but there are reports of challenging customer service.  They were my first choice for replacing Plusnet’s business service, they took the order then cancelled it and then refused to provide service with no explanation.  Then business then went to Zen who did an excellent job switching from FTTC to FTTP.

There was no down time on either broadband or telephone.