VoIP

Jim56S

Where can I find information about good home VoIP services for when my broadband gets changed to FTTP

Ayr_Rage

Not all FTTP providers include a VoIP service.

If you wish to use a third party VoIP provider it is pretty much impossible to keep an existing phone number as moving a number would involve cancellation of your current service as that is irrevocably linked to your internet account over the copper line.

matelodave

Does your provider not offer a phone service, not all providers are. Perhaps it would be best to wait and see what options are available when (or if) you get transferred to FTTP.

I've been with BT, Vodafone and Zen and they all offer a phone serice via the router. I'm not sure but I think TalkTalk and Sky do as well. The only one I know that specifically doesn't is PlusNet. 

J_B

Ayr_Rage said:

Not all FTTP providers include a VoIP service.

If you wish to use a third party VoIP provider it is pretty much impossible to keep an existing phone number as moving a number would involve cancellation of your current service as that is irrevocably linked to your internet account over the copper line.

 ... and, if you don't have internet over the copper line?

Jim56S

I plan to keep my copper line as long as possible. My current provider is plusnet and they currently don't offer a VoIP package with their FTTP products. Ive tried a couple of comparison sites and they don't seem to have woken up to this yet. The latest info on VoIP on MSE is years old. There just doesn't seem to be joined up info out there yet

Albermarle

If you are a BT customer and move to FFTP, then you will be switched to Digital Voice as part of the change.
You keep the same number. You can use your existing landline phones ( you plug them into the back of the router instead) or buy a new Digital Voice phone that does not need to be plugged into the router.

400ixl

Albermarle said:

If you are a BT customer and move to FFTP, then you will be switched to Digital Voice as part of the change.
You keep the same number. You can use your existing landline phones ( you plug them into the back of the router instead) or buy a new Digital Voice phone that does not need to be plugged into the router.

OP has already said they are with Plusnet who do not offer a Digital Voice service. If you want to move to FTTP with Plusnet and want a landline, you either need to move to EE or BT which they will allow you to do without early exit penalties.

You can switch out the landline side to another VOIP provider, but at the moment this appears to be a bit hit and miss as to whether your number will be able to be transferred successfully from Plusnet as part of the move to FTTP. There have been real mixed results if you look on the Plusnet community site.

There are VOIP companies out there who will provide services without being tied to a broadband connection. You can install VOIP clients on mobile phones and have your number with you all of the time as well as on an in home voip phone which is quite a handy feature.

Sipgate were one that i used years ago and still hear decent things of.

If you don't plan to move to FTTP then you can likely kick the can down the road to at least the end of 2025 and maybe.

rockchick113

Jim56S said:

I plan to keep my copper line as long as possible. My current provider is plusnet and they currently don't offer a VoIP package with their FTTP products. Ive tried a couple of comparison sites and they don't seem to have woken up to this yet. The latest info on VoIP on MSE is years old. There just doesn't seem to be joined up info out there yet

We are with sky and due to go back with them just to keep our landline, after a power cut last year, my mobile was low on battery, our landline phone is a old dial one and it still works, it was the only way to keep in contact with anyone. This internet phone idea is just crazy to me, but that’s just me 🥴

QrizB

rockchick113 said:

Jim56S said:

I plan to keep my copper line as long as possible.

We are with sky and due to go back with them just to keep our landline, ... This internet phone idea is just crazy to me, but that’s just me 🥴

Even with Sky you'll lose your analogue phone line when the service is switched off at the end of next year.

onomatopoeia99

rockchick113 said:

Jim56S said:

I plan to keep my copper line as long as possible. My current provider is plusnet and they currently don't offer a VoIP package with their FTTP products. Ive tried a couple of comparison sites and they don't seem to have woken up to this yet. The latest info on VoIP on MSE is years old. There just doesn't seem to be joined up info out there yet

We are with sky and due to go back with them just to keep our landline, after a power cut last year, my mobile was low on battery, our landline phone is a old dial one and it still works, it was the only way to keep in contact with anyone. This internet phone idea is just crazy to me, but that’s just me 🥴

No matter who you are with it will be gone in the next two years.  I make one phone call a week so a power cut knocking out my landline isn't something I'm greatly concerned about (and I moved it to VOIP some time ago, incoming call answerphone only, no outgoing), and in any case my mobile is always at least 70% charged as I carry a powerbank with me when out and about.

"Landline" phone provision will be via a socket on the back of the router in future.  You can maintain power to your router during a power cut by buying an uninterruptible power supply (known as a UPS, not to be confused with the delivery company).  Just like the traditional landline that was powered from the cabinet and/or exchange , this depends on the cabinet and exchange still having power.  They don't have infinite backup provision.

If you're really serious about maintaining provision then solar panels and something like a Tesla Powerwall.  40 homes in my village lost power at 10am on Christmas day for three hours, then again for similar periods on 26th and 27th.  I didn't, as mine seamlessly transferred to powering it from the Powerwall, then recharged that when the mains came back.

danco

We know what the plans are for the change to FTTP but who knows whether the timetable will be kept. I would reckon on waiting to see if PlusNet offer a digital voice or similar option by the time the changeover is due. Or possibly moving from Plusnet when your current contract expires. But certainly dont bother about moving to aVoIP phone just yet.

Or maybe plan to give up the landline and move to mobile. Not expensive (handset and contract) if you are only using it for calls, and you could change over slowly.