Is there a special transfer deal for PN Customers moving to BT?

[#1]

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@Archer wrote:

I am considering ... DV etc on my ADSL line., one of which is to transfer to BT.

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I have my doubts that in 2025 whether that combination would actually work reliably !

I have had VoIP for more than 13 years, and for the first 4 years I was successfully using VoIP over ADSL before upgrading to much faster line speeds with FTTC and now SoGEA.

Back in my ADSL days it was ESSENTIAL to use a router with upload QoS (Quality of Service) capability to prioritise the outgoing VoIP data packets ahead of all other internet traffic, otherwise almost any other simultaneous internet traffic would swamp the low upstream bandwidth causing the VoIP call to sound like "Dr Who dalek voice", or the call to drop entirely.

For me that was a decade ago, but since then internet traffic has significantly progressed, with much greater demands on the upstream bandwidth - even for what most people think are download heavy tasks such as watching a YouTube video or using BBC iPlayer, therefore I'd predict that the need for a broadband router with upload QoS (for ADSL) is even more important.

Your first problem is that ADSL upstream QoS needs at least 800Kbps for the physics to have any chance of prioritising VoIP packets ahead of other internet traffic.  @Archer what is your modem's upload sync speed ?

Next you need a router that has QoS capability (i.e. NOT Plusnet Hub-One or Hub-Two), @Archer what router are you using ? (on ADSL I'd hope that you're using a Billion 7800 or 8800, or a third party firmware on a Netgear DG834GT)

Now, the problem with Digital Voice (different from generic VoIP from other providers).  With Digital Voice, you are locked in to using the provider's router - which for BT is currently "BT Smart Hub 2" that Google says doesn't support QoS.  If you went down this route and as I suspect the Digital Voice over ADSL is unreliable, then you're stuck !

Instead of Digital Voice, if I were you, I'd be looking a finding an independent VoIP provider (such as A&A), then you are free to choose your own VoIP equipment and whatever broadband modem/router that gives you the best ADSL performance AND QoS capability for VoIP reliability.

What you could do is setup an A&A VoIP account with a temporary/experimental number (for £1.44 / month + calls at 1.5p / minute), and get working a reliable VoIP setup on your existing ADSL system now,  then at a later date when Plusnet are forced by Openreach to remove your analogue landline number, you can migrate your landline number in to your known working VoIP account, leaving you free to choose which SOADSL provider you move to (if in the mean time nothing better appears).

As @corringham says, it is hard to find any ISPs that will offer you SOADSL, however there is A&A SOADSL, and it would be worth investigating Pulse8 (note that I've had problems with the Pulse8 'broadband checker' but their support is really excellent so give them a call or use the online contact form)

Good luck !

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[#2]

"or the call to drop entirely."

I suspect this still happens. But this outside of this discussion.

[#3]

It's great that my original question revealed such a wealth of detail.

It's what makes this forum so good.

With an upspeed of 0.88Mbs, it looks like I may have problems with DV.

I'll have to reappraise my approach to losing PSTN and the associated complications.

Thank you everyone who has chipped in.

[#4]

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@Archer wrote:

With an upspeed of 0.88Mbs, it looks like I may have problems with DV.

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Yes you would likely have problems with Digital Voice because of the locked down BT router,

but generic VoIP is totally doable with a QoS capable router and a little effort allocating bandwidths.

I was running faultless multiple simultaneous VoIP calls with only 0.82Mbps up-speed on 20CN 8Mbps "ADSL Max Premium", while my kids were online Xbox 360 gaming and the other watching YouTube.

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[#5]

@Archer

Have you looked at the Ofcom Broadband Availability checker to see if you have any networks other than Openreach ?

1. Click on the link,
2. Enter your postcode,
3. Select your address,
4. Then look at the results for "Networks in your area" ?
5. and below that whether there are any "Fixed Access Wireless" providers ?.

[#6]

As an update, this may be of general interest re my ADSL line.

I have just spoken to PN COT, about what happens when the PSTN is withdrawn.

The response was qualified by the COT not being briefed on the subject but the assistant said:

PN need the telephone number to maintain the service.

If PSTN was withdrawn that would terminate the BB service.

Idealy they would transfer me fibre, (which does not exist round here).

Secondly they could transfer me to EE, (who do not serve where I live).

PN would aim to maintain the PSTN service as long as possible.

In my circustances they could not be clear about what the outcome would be.

They are going to raise a question with OR.

Not an ideal answer but I should be prepared to loose BB at some point maybe.

Hope that helps someone.

[#7]

That's totally wrong, PSTN being withdrawn will not have an impact on your broadband.
It will be a transition to SoGEA and if you don't use your landline you wouldn't notice a thing.

[#8]

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@dvorak wrote:

It will be a transition to SoGEA and if you don't use your landline you wouldn't notice a thing.

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@dvorak  -  So how does that work when @Archer ONLY has ADSL available ?

"transition to SoGEA" would require that a street cabinet exists, and Openreach are unlikely to install that before FTTP becomes available.

@Archer 's only current route when PSTN is withdrawn is to transition to SOADSL which Plusnet DON'T currently offer !.

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[#9]

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@dvorak wrote:

... PSTN being withdrawn will not have an impact on your broadband.

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@dvorak 

That wasn't the question this topic was trying to address.

The problem here is how does @Archer keep their landline phone number when PSTN is withdrawn.

Keeping the number requires migrating to VoIP or Digital Voice, which will be challenging on ADSL upload speeds,

and then has the secondary issue of virtually no ISPs offer SOADSL when PSTN is removed from an ADSL ONLY line.

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[#10]

@Archer  - thanks for the update, that is entirely consistent with all previous understanding of Plusnet's position.

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[#11]

I was responding to what the CS said, which was not quite correct. 

[#12]

@dvorak  - what part of the CS response isn't correct ?

If you read each of those statements (bearing in mind that Plusnet don't offer SOADSL) what part is inaccurate ?

• PN need the telephone number to maintain the service. TRUE for ADSL to continue
• If PSTN was withdrawn that would terminate the BB service.  TRUE otherwise ADSL ends
• Ideally they would transfer me fibre, (which does not exist round here).  TRUE but unavailable
• Secondly they could transfer me to EE, (who do not serve where I live).  TRUE but unavailable
• PN would aim to maintain the PSTN service as long as possible.  TRUE
• In my circumstances they could not be clear about what the outcome would be.  FAIR ENOUGH
• They are going to raise a question with OR.  SEEMS REASONABLE

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[#13]

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@Archer wrote:

Not an ideal answer but I should be prepared to lose BB at some point maybe.

@Archer  if I were you,  you need to identify which ISP (offering SOADSL) you would choose to move your broadband to, in case Plusnet withdraw PSTN at short notice.  Choice of ISP is probably the priority, as the withdrawal of telephone number gives you an additional 30 days (of phone number quarantine period) to choose and migrate to a VoIP provider.

In my case (currently on FTTC), my non "BT group" ISP has (last week) given me 14 days notice that my Openreach copper wires would be converted to SOGEA.  Fortunately for me I already have VoIP and it isn't a problem BUT it does highlight that you might not get much warning to having your broadband and phone terminated, and therefore you need to plan for that eventuality.

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