openreach modem + netgear r6250 - need dect phone type

[#1]

Hi folks, I still have FTTC running on old openreach modem with a netgear r6250 router (and a deco mesh).  I want to plug in my home phone (currently still landline but soon to end) so I gather I need a router/modem or whatever the box is called, with a 'DECT phone socket'   Does anyone have suggestions how to do this and what to buy?  Simple stuff please - old head struggles with some of this!   We are in bt 'in the next year' zone for fttp but right now we need to go digital phone on fttc and need to keep the landline number.  Was thinking of going Zen and letting them do it but it is expensive (tho it would take away the hassle of finding a voip phone provider).

[#2]

FWIW - I've recently changed from Plusnet FTTC with phone to Zen FTTP ( City fibre ) with digital voice, you can just plug your old type phone in to the Zen supplied router with the adaptor provided. 

You can also get DECT phones that pair directly with the Zen router if you wanted. 

[#3]

@PowerLee 

thanks for the info - I'm hoping to keep the cordless base (3 phones), assume it was a painless switch as you don't say otherwise.  Plusnet is cheap but has become unreliable and now they have switched my email to greenby and tell me I must go digital, I'm not sure whether to stay or jump ship.

[#4]

Have a look at VoIP prices with Andrews & Arnold.

We have 3 VoIP numbers, 2 are configured on a Cisco ATA, our BT Cordless Phone base unit is
plugged in to one of those Cisco ATA lines and functions just as it did with a BT Exchange telephone service.

[#5]

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@solent2 wrote:

@PowerLee 

thanks for the info - I'm hoping to keep the cordless base (3 phones), assume it was a painless switch as you don't say otherwise. 

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Once my number transferred over night I just had to move the phones plug from the old BT master socket & connect it to the Zen router with the supplied adaptor. 

[#6]

@PowerLee  that's good news - which ever way I jump, will now have to organise a suitably long cable in advance (phone socket is in different part of house to routers, with minimal plug sockets!)

[#7]

@PhilipHeyes   Definitely looks worth considering, thanks!  what zen use can also be used with plusnet so that is also worth looking into as the ATA but not going with zen.  Got time to work out best route before contract end - PN want £61 to continue as we are - double the current cost!

[#8]

@solent2 

CEX currently have one FritzBox 7530 on sale (and one AX version which includes WiFi 6). Though I don't have VOIP this is what I use having bought one from CEX.

https://uk.webuy.com/search?stext=fritzbox

When you say PN want £61 to continue "as is", is this the out of contract price or, more likely, an attempt to get uou to move to SOGEA. Wholesale prices for phone lines are going up by 100% by October.

Brian

[#9]

@bmc  believe it or not yes that is the out of contract price!  I am given a choice of continuing with the home phone option at that price until they pull the plug altogether, new contract at about £28 with no phone, or we can help you to shove off and go to EE with digital voice (no thanks!).

[#10]

Look beyond price & brands to what your goals are.

1) Is it to have a one stop shop for internet + telephone service .... i.e. EE + digital voice offers this.

2) Is it to first unbundle phone from internet in the current FTTC service and second to get involved with the critical steps of number porting to a VoIP supplier and the installation and management and ongoing support of VoIP kit.

[#11]

@solent2 

Depending on how long you have left on your contract you have a reasonably urgent decision to make. As just stated, do you keep internet and phone together from one ISP or stick with PN for internet and move your phone to a VOIP provider.

You need to be ready to move, either at the end of your contract or when the phone service is withdrawn.

Once you decide which way to go, then you can look at options.

Can't remember if I mentioned it, but the FritzBox has a built in DECT base station as well as an internet ATA (for phones). Just one power source required (handy if you get a backup power unit).

Brian

[#12]

@bmc  thanks again for your info - I have a couple of months to sort it out - but I don't want to be doing it in a last minute panic and am assuming that the minute I ask to port the phone number to another provider (all of which are now voip or no phone at all) then the part fibre FTTC broadband will also cease? therefore I can't do one step at a time. There is no fttp option here yet (openreach have only suggested it MAY be within the year) so we have a copper line to the cabinet.  If that is the case I wonder if letting zen handle the whole thing is safer - they will supply the dect router and hopefully good customer service, I know they are fairly costly (but not as much as bt/ee) but already dealing with the email debacle so I can do without more hassle for a while, could always move after the zen contract ended.

[#13]

The Zen solution might be more expensive than the DIY solution (an ISP plus a VoIP supplier) but there is a single supplier to support it all and from what I understand their Fritz box is a decent approach.

Relative simplicity has a value. Get it ordered to complete on the last day of your Plusnet contarct term.