Port Landline

[#1]

Currently have a FTTC connection with landline.

I understand that if I ugrade to FTTP I would loose that number, has anyone completed sucessfully and managed to port their number to a VOIP provider as well as upgrade without an issues?

Is there a process to follow that makes this smooth?

[#2]

@matthewleggott See the numeous topics on this subject on the 'Home Phone' board.

[#3]

@matthewleggott 

Apart from the numerous threads already mentioned the basics are as follows.

When you move to FTTP you're landline is "ceased" - you then have 30 days to port.

Some VOIP providers cannot (or have not been able to in the past) handle a ceased line.

It is best to do it ASAP in case of problems.

VOIP doesn't work during power cuts so some form of backup power is required unless you have good mobile coverage.

A&A are one provider who can handle ceased lines. Also, if you can use your mobile for outgoing calls they are very cheap.

If nothing else look at their FAQ pages on VOIP.

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

Brian

[#4]

I'm taking a slightly different path for my parents at the moment.  The most important thing for them is their landline.  For them I've ordered FTTP on a new account, which was installed this morning.  This afternoons task is to request the port of the number to A&A which will cease their landline and ADSL.

That would have the effect though of losing Plusnet email and such like, and means they have both coper and fibre running overhead to the house, but for them that is a non-issue.

The advantage for them though is very little downtime on their landline.  Most of the downtime will be from me going round (a little less than a mile from my house), to swap the phones from their master socket to the ATA.

[#5]

@matthewleggott 

I had forgotten about the downtime with porting numbers. Thanks to @pjmarsh for reminding me.

You cannot start the port until your FTTP is up and running. To do so before might, just might, end up with your PN account being closed and the FTTP install cancelled.

Brian

[#6]

Moderator's note:
Thread moved from Full Fibre to Home Phone

[#7]

I did the switch to VOIP with a firm called FREEOLA, they did the number transfer as well.

[#8]

Thanks for the replies.

I plan to move to A&A as I already have a line with them so makes it easier.

Interesting to note regarding making sure the FTTP is live first but also about creating a second account and doing it that way, loathed to do that as my current account is 20+ years old and got a few discounts with it.

Key thing is about the timing and can deal with a bit of downtime, but interesting points to note especially when it comes to a friends account when that one is migrated.

[#9]

It will be a phone call to CS to explain your plan and to make sure that your discount are carried over.

[#10]

Ofcom should really get involved IMO, we have some very stressed out parents who don’t want to be without their phone line. There should be a away to port to VOIP without cancelling the contract and this should have been made a matter of regulation so that old people can transition into the new model seamlessly. Continuity of their email is also important although plusnet will let you keep email if you migrate to another provider, there should be some rules here, duty of care etc.

In this instance as PN do not have VOIP why would PN not be responsible for porting to AA, providing a grandstream handytone or similar, prior to the cutover to fiber. Openreach should be on the hook not to cancel the service but to swap in a temporary number to ensure continuity. Could even have been a white labelled voip service from AA to PN.

Situation seems ridiculous, stressed old people relying on technical relatives, they are lucky if they have them, there must be many who do not, which makes me think without legislation we’re going to need to support our communities.

[#11]

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@fordprefect42 wrote:
Continuity of their email is also important although plusnet will let you keep email if you migrate to another provider,

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No they don't.

[#12]

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/switching-provider/email-address/#:~:text=Ofcom%20does....

Yes they do and it says it is free, seems to be regulated in the sense this helps customers to change providers, but not in the sense that email itself it regulated. Edit or maybe not regulated I see Virgin doesn’t do it.

[#13]

That data is incorrect - from 20-something of June last year, closure of a broadband account meant loss of all facilities.

[#14]

Hmm thats a pain although that ofcom page is from November last year?

[#15]

Back to the problem, are we now going to need community support for elderly plusnet customers so that they don’t get fleeced with price hikes eg. By directing them to BT VOIP services. Simplest route seems to be wait for service to be cut and fiber to be active then port them to AA and then go round and install a granstream adapter for them, helping them through the process?