Communication loss in a power cut without a landline

[#1]

I have just been notified that FTTP is now available at my address and my initial thought was "Great - perhaps now we can get better speeds".  But of course, choosing a full fibre option will bring to an end my landline and number that we've had for over 30 years.

We have hesitated because while power cuts used to be very rare in this area, they seem to have become more frequent in the last couple of years.  Our existing landline works without power and we have an old wired phone connected that needs no power.

Because both of us have medical vulnerabilities (no special equipment required) we like the reassurance that a reliable phone access is always there.  We were trying to prepare ourselves for going without a landline, but our even more elderly relative in the same area and who has no internet has recently been 'switched over' to digital by BT with no change to anything in his house.  The only change as far as he is concerned is he now has to use the local area code when calling local numbers.  His old phones still work, even the old wired one that works without power.  The required configuration changes were made at the exchange.  So it is somehow possible to keep a landline.

We thought of leaving Plusnet (after being customers from the start - the dialup days) because they are stopping their phone services, but as far as I can see, any of the other combined broadband and phone services would be vulnerable in power cuts.  A UPS would just buy some time.  Our mobile phones have fluctuating signals and in the event of a lengthy power cut the  batteries would run out.  

Has anybody managed to retain a landline as well as having broadband?

[#2]

@jbrady 

We were trying to prepare ourselves for going without a landline, but our even more elderly relative in the same area and who has no internet has recently been 'switched over' to digital by BT with no change to anything in his house.  The only change as far as he is concerned is he now has to use the local area code when calling local numbers.  His old phones still work, even the old wired one that works without power.  The required configuration changes were made at the exchange.  So it is somehow possible to keep a landline.

I suspect your relative has been converted to 'SoTAP for Analogue' , see here for some details https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2023/11/openreach-prep-alternative-uk-analogue-style-phone-pro...

This is a transitional product from Openreach for where a property has a landline only i.e no internet.

Has anybody managed to retain a landline as well as having broadband?

AFAIK that is only possible using a voip solution , either as a 'digital voice' service supplied by the same supplier as the broadband or as a separate service from a third party voip supplier.  In either case, to work in a power failure situation, some form of UPS is required.

Note that Plusnet has decided not to provide a digital voice service and will suggest a transfer to EE for anyone wanting a combined service. This does not preclude getting a separate voip service.

[#3]

Thanks for the reply.  If we decide to try and keep the phone, it won't be with EE.  I had such a bad experience with their awful customer service years ago that I vowed I would never go near them again. It was a terrible experience with both their phone support and in shop.  I'm feeling the trauma now thinking about it.  Fortunately there are other suppliers. 😁

[#4]

Thanks also for the link to the article on ‘SOTAP for Analogue‘.  That's obviously what has been used for my relative. 

The comments under the article were also interesting.  Some suggesting that the technology was transitional, expecting the users to kick the bucket before these configurations expired.

[#5]

Yes, its got to be an uncommon product and Openreach will not want to continue supplying & supporting it for too long.

There can't be many ISPs who offfered a 'phone only' service ? in fact the only one that comes to mind is BT Retail.

[#6]

Another supplier of bundled voip is Zen. @jab1 has, I believe got that and they rate them highly.
There are other threads about using a UPS on here, and how long they should last.

[#7]

Not so much an 'Internet' Service Provider as a phone supplier.  He's never had internet access.  Just a phone, and Yes - BT. He's always been a BT customer since before there were other options.  

[#8]

Yes, we're looking at Zen.  If we decide to keep our phone number, it's a good chance we'll go with them for broadband and phone.  But if we decide the phone is a lost cause, we may stay with Plusnet.  Not decided yet. Still looking.

[#9]

But note this in the referenced aricle (Openreach Prep Alternative UK Analogue Style Phone Product - written in 2023):

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2023/11/openreach-prep-alternative-uk-analogue-style-phone-pro...

"BT’s chosen name alludes to this as still being a transitional (temporary) product to help get vulnerable people off PSTN before December 2025. But the end goal is still to shift everybody on to an IP-based service, and BT tentatively expects that the new product may thus be needed until around 2030, albeit ultimately lasting only as long as the core SOTAP solution is actually required."

So, longer term, even this solution may disappear.

You make no mention of using a mobile phone as a solution. Is this possible where you live? I may be missing something but frankly, I also can't see any real effective difference between using a 'Home Phone' via VoIP and 'Wi-Fi Calling' with a mobile. Apart from the 'Landline' phone number.

[#10]

There appears to be an assumption that local mobile phone masts have the means to retain power for a lengthy time. When we have a power cut, our local mast immediately shuts down.

[#11]

@jbrady 

You will lose the phone this year so Full Fibre looks a sensible option. Whoever you go with you will need to arrange power backup for both the ONT, the router and the phone if it is digital. Have a read through a recent thread on the subject.

https://community.plus.net/t5/Everything-else/Battery-Backup-Unit/td-p/2035159

Zen Interet has the benefit offering both phone and internet which makes the switch relatively easy. Their router also has an integral ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter) which means one less power source required.

If you don't make many calls have a look at A&A - they have a good reputation.

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

Finally, you could speak to COTS to find out abut your PN options. Ask it they will supply a power backup unit dure to your vunerabilities. PlusNet Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632

Whatever you decide about the phone do nothing until your internet is sorted.

Brian

[#12]

We have used 3x VOIP numbers since 2017 & I'm a cardio patient.
The total cost of 1 year for the 3 numbers is now less than the cost of 1 phone line for 2 months with BT.

For yourself also look at A&A as a SIP/VOIP provider to host your cherished home phone number.

The no change but now needs to dial the full Area Code + Local number sounds like VOIP from a street cabinet,
a phone service that will not remain on during an extended power cut due to the limited battery backup power at street cabinets.  

Expect this type of VOIP over a phone line service to end when FTTP takes over from FTTC.

[#13]

Thanks for your reply, I had a look at that article when MisterW posted it and I did get the impression the solution was a temporary measure.

As for mobile phones - yes we have them but the signal is not strong here indoors - that's with two different providers. We use Wifi calls with our mobiles and of course that works fine.  

My main concern was the power issue because although our last power cut was just 1.5 hours, last year my brother was in Portugal when they had the big country-wide power cut that affected Spain too.  They were out of power for almost 23 hours and lots of lessons were learned about all the things that depend on an electricity supply.  It was longer than our mobile batteries would last.  We do have small power packs, too. I know I may be worrying about situations that may never happen and we're not over anxious, but when we have something that works well we're just a bit reluctant to let it go.  We're not afraid of technology either - both with I.T. backgrounds and I even used to install UPS systems along with networked applications to make sure the databases closed down gracefully in the event of power cuts. So we will be able to setup whatever it is we need, I was really just checking that the phone option supplied to my elderly relative, wasn't more generally available.  Looks like it won't be.

[#14]

@jbrady 

Are you registered with PN as "vulnerable"? More importantly are you egistered with your power supplier?

OpenReach Full Fibre is better that FTTC in power cuts as the fibre runs directly to a Main Exchange and not via a cabinet which may lose power in an extended power cut. If you have a power outage there is a strong possibility the Exchange isn't - and even if it was will (should) have good backup for an extyended outage.

Brian

[#15]

The no change but now needs to dial the full Area Code + Local number sounds like VOIP from a street cabinet,
a phone service that will not remain on during an extended power cut due to the limited battery backup power at street cabinets. 

Yes, It's voip but not from a street cabinet. The existing PSTN circuit goes all the way back to the exchange. AIUI the SoTAP for analogue reconnects the E-side pair at the exchange to some form of ATA which is then connected to the internet. Backup power is available for much longer at the exchange since it has batteries and backup generators. However, its got to be a temporary solution because Openreach are ultimately wanting to decommission exchanges!