Going to Fibre - the knock-on effects

[#1]

I've just been chatting on the phone with Plusnet. I have been told that I am being switched to fibre from the old copper system. What I want to do is keep my landline and phone working - I dont care if it is on copper or fibre, as long as from my position the landline phone works with my present phone number, and I can access the internet. I will even put up with Greenby for my emails - they seem to be working okay now. However, the Plusnet people said to keep my landline working I have to change from Plusnet to EE. My landline at the moment is provided by Utility Warehouse, and I'm quite happy with them.

What I am trying to find out now is, will I still be able to access the Plusnet User Forum, or is being with EE too far away from Plusnet for that? If you have already been through the change, and you wanted to keep your landline, what has been your experience. I have been warned to not use the landline phone call for long outgoing phone calls because it is expensive.

[penneck]

 @penneck

When Plusnet say you "have to change from Plusnet to EE" to keep your landline phone working what they really mean is that they, Plusnet, will not in future be offering any phone services. So, if you lose your landline due to taking up fibre, they cannot offer you any continuing phone service - but they know somebody, in the BT Group, who can! That somebody are EE.

However, as others will shortly be along to explain, you can still (within 30 days of cessation) port your ceased landline number to other suppliers who will offer VoIP services. Have you spoken to Utility Warehouse about their plans?

Broadband and landline FAQs (uw.co.uk)

This may assume you are with UW for your existing broadband service.

[#3]

@penneck 

I assume you're on a FTTC service, in which case you would be moved to a SOGEA connection (FTTC without the phone).

As stated you can stay with PN if you so wish by using a VOIP supplier for the phone. Have a look at

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

If you move to EE you get a SOGEA line and a VOIP service. This is the easiest option.

You do no have to be a PN customer to be a member of the forum.

Brian

[#4]

If it's really FULL fibre (so a fibre all the way to your house) then if you get that from Plusnet you can get a "landline" VoIP service from a number of suppliers.

For a "landline" supplier that covers all the bases, in my view Voipfone is worth a look

https://www.voipfone.co.uk/

Keep one traditional landline phone plugged in until a day or two after your VoIP service is scheduled to start and make the landline number migration a day or two after the fibre install.

I took it closer than that (next working day) and got away with it but I think I would leave a clear working day. 

[#5]

@penneck 

After reading the post from @markhawkin I have 3 questions.

1) What service are you on - FTTC or FTTP?

2) If FTTC is Full Fibre available to you?

3) Does your current phone provider offer a VOIP service?

Brian

[#6]

@bmc 

The current landline supplier seems to be Utility Warehouse.

Utility Warehouse don't seem to have a VoIP service (yet)

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2025/11/utility-warehouse-prep-uk-voip-phone-service-as-561086...

[#7]

I have just spoken to Utility Warehouse, and they dont do VoIP at the moment. They think it will happen in July, so it looks like I am stuck with EE for the moment.

Thanks to all for your help

[#8]

@bmc 

I cannot answer your questions 1 & 2. I dont know what those letters mean. As for Question 3, the answer is No not yet - they hope to have it by July.

Thankyou for your help

[#9]

@penneck 

FTTC is Fibre to the Cabinet whereas FTTP is Full Fibre.

If you login to your PN account it'll tell you what product you're on. While there if you check for upgrades it'll tell you if Full Fibre is available.

When does your current PN contract run out (it'll tell you on your Member's page)?

Brian

[#10]

---

@bmc wrote:

@penneck 

1) What service are you on - FTTC or FTTP?

2) If FTTC is Full Fibre available to you?

---

The other option that we forget these days, as has caught me out in the last week on another thread is:

Or are you still on ADSL, that is, basic broadband? In my case it is Plusnet advising that the are pulling the plug on this basic service that has triggered the angst.

[#11]

Hello @bmc .As I understand it they are bringing the fibre into the house, but what happens then? Somewhere it has to connect to copper, but where? I dont know, but I suspecty I need to supply another 13A socket somewhere

My PN contract ran out years ago. I just kept on paying whatever they asked each month. They didn't complain, and the service was reliable so I let it run on and on.

[#12]

Hello @Baldrick1 .

I guess I'm still on ADSL. PN never mentioned it, as we were talking about going over to fibre so I guess it didn't matter. Are there any alternatives?

[#13]

@penneck 

If you're still on ADSL then as @Baldrick1 mentioned PN could well be pulling the plug on that service. PN are not offering the digital alternative. As it happens, I don't think EE are either so it could be BT for you.

In a victory for the marketing boys over common sense Fibre to the Cabinet is known as "Fibre" whereas Fibre to the Premises is known as "Full Fibre", So when you say "Fibre" is coming to your house it all depends on which one. Have a look at the following and see what it says for your property.

https://www.openreach.com/

With Full Fibre a completely new cable (fibre optic) is run to your house to a box (CSP) outside and then brought in to an ONT (Optical Network Terminator). This needs a power source. However the router is connected via an ethernet cable so can go anywhere you're happy to run said cable. The following gives an idea of an install but the bit about two power sockets is not entirely accurate.

https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/full-fibre-broadband-installation-checklist

Brian

Edit : What Product does your PN Members page say you're on.

[#14]

@bmc . It seems I'm getting Full Fibre.

Having seen the video, I now have another problem. The video indicates I need a double 13A socket for the Router and the ONT. My phone also needs a 13A socket for its base station. I only have a single socket at the moment. I could plug a 3-way adaptor in I suppose but whether that is safe or not, I dont know. I would assume it is or they wouldn't be allowed to sell them

[#15]

@penneck 

Full Fibre is good news but we need to know exactly which product you're currently on as it potentially opens up a new option.

As previously stated you can run ethernet cable to a suitable power socket to use that. It is safe to use power extentions. If you're taking about about replacing the one gang socket with a three gang socket I have no experience of this. However a while back I did buy a 4 gang power extension, shortened the cable and then screwed it to the wall to give me extra sockets for other purposes.

Short term, to get you up and running just use an extension lead if you have one.

Also, the ONT does not need to be where your current master socket is. There is a certain leeway as to where it's located. You speak to the installer on the day to see what they say if you want it elsewhere

Brian.