Don't Lose your Line - BT's New Policy

fraserross

Just transferred to BT Broadband and ticked the box for Digital Voice, not realising it would replace my phone line with a Voice Over IP (VoIP) service using just my broadband router.  Contacted BT after 3 days and pointed out that I could no longer use my phone to be told the line was now removed and would not be replaced as they (OpenReach) intend to remove all standard lines by 2025.  Contacted another provider to change way from BT (still within 14 day cooling off period) who have informed me they will need to charge me £50 to install a new line (provided by OpenReach (i.e. BT)).  Spoke again to BT who said the alternate provider would not be able to get a line installed either.  So DON'T TICK the box for Digital Voice or you will lose you phone line and perhaps the ability to get Broadband and Voice from other providers (except BT off course).

Chino

It continues to surprise me that there isn't more publicity around the impending closure of Openreach's PSTN service.

I would also expect Ofcom to be doing more to ensure that subscribers can port their numbers to VOIP providers without issue.

Mickey666

I don’t see why converting to VoIP is such a big deal.  BT’s ‘Century21’ strategy has been known about for a long time - basically converting the network from the outdated PSTN system to an IP network.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BT_21CN

Voice calls are already carried over an IP network anyway, it’s,just that the conversion is done at the BT exchange.  By implementing the VoIP interface in the router it makes the whole system much simpler.  In essence, the familiar ‘phone line’ socket in our homes is being replaced with a Network socket because data is far more important these days than voice, and anyway voice can be easily treated as just another type of data these days.

littleboo

Why can't you use the VOIP service?

mnbvcxz

On the back of the router is there a sticker labeled something like "digital voice customers only" with a telephone socket behind it?

If so can you plug your regular phone in to it and then it works with a dial tone?  If so with a little fiddling you could connect your home's telephone extension wiring and it will work much as it did before. 

The good news is if this works you will have a clearer phone line than before.

On the other hand it may not work with some services like burglar alarms or during a power cut.  Harder to diagnose a faulty line if you cant hear the static too. 

Looks like we will all have it in the next year or two. Naughty of early people like sky, bt and EE not to explain it though. 

Hint if you want to avoid it say you have a burglar alarm or such that won't be supported and they should hold off for a bit.

Yahoo_Mail

Why does it matter?  Were you upset when POTS was replaced by PSTN?  Or when you had to have actual human beings route your calls?

"I can't believe it!  I can't speak to those lovely dolls on the end of the phone to make a telephonic call nowadays!  I need to enter a number on this magical device and it connects me straight to the person I wanted to call... What heresy is this?"

MalMonroe

Yahoo_Mail said:

Why does it matter?  Were you upset when POTS was replaced by PSTN?  Or when you had to have actual human beings route your calls?

"I can't believe it!  I can't speak to those lovely dolls on the end of the phone to make a telephonic call nowadays!  I need to enter a number on this magical device and it connects me straight to the person I wanted to call... What heresy is this?"

I genuinely do not understand your comment. Nor does it appear to serve any helpful purpose for the OP.

Zellah

OP, pleeeeeease move into the 21st Century. As someone who already has a BT Digital Voice service, I can assure you that it works fine...no issues at all. So I fail to see why you have an issue with it. I'm 100% sure all CPs will one day be using VOIP instead of voice over copper so its nothing to be afraid of.

Browntoa

Do it now or mandatory migration over the next few years . 2025 is the completion date so most of the copper lines will be switched over , without choice , over the next couple of years .

Traditional phone lines are in terminal decline with call volumes way down year on year . Given the option most people would not retain the fixed line . 

I cannot personally remember the last time I made a landline call , I use my mobile or my VoIP app on my mobile.

He

I do still occasionally use my landline, but only after 7pm or weekends when there's no charge, otherwise it's more cost effective for me to use my mobile. That's positive progress in my opinion ....

JJ_Egan

I use my landline rarely  even though it has BTs 700 free mins call package ,

Dont think its a new policy  OP just ticked wrong box .