Will my call blocker "thingie" be impacted by the coming PSTN switch off?

trust.no.1

Happy weekend everyone,

I've used a CPR call blocker box for several years and this is brilliant at blocking nuisance/scam calls and any numbers that I choose to program in. This box plugs into my BT landline phone socket and my phone plugs into the box.

I've heard about the coming PSTN switchoff in 2025 and I have a suspicion my call blocker box will become useless at this point, however I'm really not sure. I've had a look at the FAQs on the manufacturer website and can see nothing mentioned about this.

Are any of you knowledgeable folks able to advise? 

Neil_Jones

The bulk of those things run off the "power" (for want of a better word) of the phone line.

The next generation will run through your router/internet connection and not the phone line.  So it will effectively become obsolete in its current state.

brewerdave

Hadn't really thought about call blockers til this post - there must be 100000s of people dependent on these things, particularly the older generation. I suppose if they are built into the handset then they would still work using an adaptor to connect to the router - or would they ?

How do current VOIP providers cope with the problem ?? BT Digital Voice ??

mr_mf

It may still work.  A VOIP adaptor will provide line voltage, and CLI signalling etc - whether it is correct enough for the call blocker to work you will have to wait and see.

BT Digital Voice has BT Call Protect switched on as standard.  Other SIP based VOIP providers, such as the one I currently use often don't provide it.  Interestingly when I switched to VOIP I actually got a new VOIP number and have never had a spam call - I believe this is because the spammers aren't aware of the VOIP providers number ranges; they only seem to bother robo calling BT number ranges.

Peter999_2

Neil_Jones said:

The bulk of those things run off the "power" (for want of a better word) of the phone line.

The next generation will run through your router/internet connection and not the phone line.  So it will effectively become obsolete in its current state.

I have FTTP provided by NoOne Internet (using CityFibre's network).   They provided me with a Technicolour DGA0122 router with an RJ11 port for an IP phone.   I use SIP through SIPGATE.co.uk for the calls.

I have a device similar to the OP.    I had to buy an RJ11 to RJ11 cable to replace the RJ11 to BT cable.   Power IS provided via the RJ11 port in the router and the device works fine.        I haven't got a call blocker device, however, sipgate does provide caller ID so maybe the OP device might work.   

A normal phone plugs straight into the router and works fine - I didn't need to buy a new phone.  

FreeBear

brewerdave said: How do current VOIP providers cope with the problem ??

Since having been switched to VOIP, I have had very, very few spam calls. It may be Virgin are doing some packet filtering and preventing the calls from coming through, or it could be a case the scammers have given up on me.

trust.no.1

Thanks for all the replies so far everyone. I'll send in a query to the manfacturer on Monday and see what they come back with. Will update the post with the results.

trust.no.1

Hi Everyone. I did submit a query online to the manufacturer and got a case reference in response.

I've just realised that they never did come back to me While it is tempting to draw a conclusion from this - I will nonetheless give them a ring next week.