Virgin home phone

Ommbiance

I have had the full gamut of Virgin products for yonks and just carry on with it regardless.  Recently the home phone service has been changed from the old copper wire connection to being plugged into the back of the router. It's works OK, the line is clear etc.  so no issues in that respect.  However, obviously the router has to remain switched on to make or receive calls, but for various reasons, we switch our router off at night, when we are out for a long time, and certainly if we go on holiday.  Additionally, in the event of internet connection outage, there is no phone service. 
I asked Virgin if I sign up for their own voicemail service, will anyone phoning when the router is off, be directed to the voicemail? The answer is apparently yes, but Virgin are unable to switch it on (I call 1571 and it tells me there is a problem and that mailbox is disabled, so I have been unable to check whether this is correct). I have contacted the helpdesk 3 times and have been told each time they've switched it on, to wait an hour and then I can use it.  Anyway if I try to call my home number when the router is off, nothing happens at all, there is no ring tone and it cuts me off after 5 seconds or so.
Anyway the reason I'm putting all this is that I have come up with a brainwave (maybe?)  Why not get rid of the home phone altogether, and have a pay as you go mobile at home instead.  We have existing contract mobiles but want to have a separate number for the house because we don't always want to provide our personal mobiles.

Are there any disadvantages to this? I've never used PAYG. Does it have to be topped up regularly? On forms which ask for a home number, can you add a mobile, or will the fields expect to see an area code?  Anything else anyone can think of / guide me on.   

Much appreciated

Omm  

Neil_Jones

So don't switch your router off then.  Problem solved re: the phone

Re: PAYG - yes to topping up (you pay in advance), most forms for pretty much anything these days will take any number you want to give them, and you need to check your reception.  Pointless going PAYG on Vodafone if you don't get a Vodafone signal where you are.

Downsides:  Can be more expensive per minute.  More dependent on decent signal.  Possiblity of cold spots.  no "inclusive" minutes.  A chargeable action usually has to be made every x days (typically 90 or 120), or a top-up dependent on provider.

Advantages:  No credit check required (usualyl).  Can port with PAC code request procedure if you find a better deal.  Ability to change handset when you like (just swap the SIM).  Phone will usually always be with you.

Ommbiance

Thanks for your comments
Yes easy solution is to keep router on, but there are reasons why we switch it off at night, so have to find an alternative arrangement.
We'd probably use our contract mobiles for most outbound calls and principally use the house phone for incoming calls.
And I guess we'd stay with virgin for the mobile if they do an appropriate PAYG as we know the signal is OK , (you make a good point because I'd not looked into any other carriers and had not thought about poor signal, assuming all would cover equally as well as one another, but I can see from coverage maps this is not actually the case!).

I spoke to VM again today; because we are on a bundle package they cheekily do not break down the cost of each element (TV / broadband / phone) but discovered landline rental is £19 + an extra fiver for 'free calls' at weekends and evenings, so I'm sure a PAYG would be cheaper than that.

Cheers

littleboo

If its voicemail when unreachable that you want, you could get a free Sipgate voip number for incoming calls, you would need a device which could take the call - a VOIP phone, or an ATA which would allow you to keep your existing phone(s). You can choose a number from your area code so it will look like a traditional phone number. Sipgate will forward calls to voicemail based on rules you configure, such as being offline, busy, missed etc and will email an MP3 of the voicemail to one or more email addresses. You could forward calls to a mobile when the landline was offline, ie when the router was off, but that would cost 15p per minute.

Bigphil1474

You may/will find that Virgin packages without the landline are more expensive than with it. I mentioned it to one of their engineers and he told me it's because they want you to have all services with them - phone/tv/BB. You could see what they say but I suspect you'll find there's no saving to ditching the landline. 
Depends what you want on your package, but the new Volt deal includes anytime calls, plus lots more for about £85 a month. You have to take an O2 Sim though.

knightstyle

My MIL has an old mobile in her car with a PAYG from Giff gaff.  Good coverage in her area but she has to pay, 8p per voicemail on it.
So check coverage in your area and see if you have to pay to listen to messages.