help for elderly relations who want to keep a landline

donglefan

Hi, I'd appreciate advice about how best to support my uncle in his 80s who wants to keep his landline but knows the tech is becoming obsolete.  We got him a mobile phone but he is adamant against having a direct debit so it went on a payg contract with advice about how to switch the connection on and off which was too much to negotiate for a new user, so it was a failure.  
His landline was with Post Office which was taken over by Shell and then by TalkTalk and he wants to know how to maintain a landline into the future, when the old tech is switched off.

mebu60

Does he currently have broadband? I am assuming not but if he does his landline phone will simply plug into router to access the replacement VOIP service instead of the little white wall socket.

Assuming he doesn't have broadband he is unlikely to be alone in that. It surely must have been considered as part of the switchover (!). Is he registered as 'vulnerable' or 'at risk' with his provider? If not I would do that asap. And ask them the question what happens to customers without internet as part of the digital switchover. I would expect them to be obliged to install broadband which isn't charged for if only used for VOIP.  

VOIP will only work when there is internet service so also won't work during power cuts. You may need to persevere with the mobile to cover for emergencies. He will also need to keep it charged and it will need to be used every few months if it's payg otherwise the sim will be deactivated and the number reused. 

molerat

What service does he currently have - internet or just phone ?

Brie

I'd heard that all landline providers were required to provide suitable equipment for those without pc/broadband etc.  

I had also been told that a letter would be written to everyone to check they are ready for the switch to VOIP.  I did have someone call to discuss this with us but it was just as i was heading out for work so asked them to post the info to me - that was 4 months back and i've yet to hear more so I guess it's a very slow process.

donglefan

Thank you for your responses.  He currently has a phone-only service without broadband.  He wants to continue having a landline but not internet.  It is a good idea to suggest they register as vulnerable, thank you.

littleboo

Phone only customers will have the underlying technology upgraded for them, the only difference to them is they will have a router which they need to plug their phone into, and the router needs power to work. Apart from that, it should be transparent. 
However, I'm not sure that TalkTalk provide a phone-only service, if not, that might be an issue at some point s he is now a TT customer

Ayr_Rage

littleboo said:

Phone only customers will have the underlying technology upgraded for them, the only difference to them is they will have a router which they need to plug their phone into, and the router needs power to work. Apart from that, it should be transparent. 
However, I'm not sure that TalkTalk provide a phone-only service, if not, that might be an issue at some point s he is now a TT customer

Don't forget the fibre cable needs to be installed, so there will be some upheaval involved when the copper line is discontinued.

molerat

TalkTalk do not provide a landline only service so I am not sure what will happen to those legacy plans when the network goes fully digital - maybe something to ask them.  BT however do provide it and will switch the service to digital when that time comes. 

If I don’t currently have a Broadband connection in my home, how will I be able to make voice calls?

We’re currently working on different solutions to keep people who have no Broadband connected. We’ll be sure to let you know well in advance what your options are. Rest assured, you won’t be left without a home phone service and you won't pay more than you do today.

Is he in receipt of pension credit as that may entitle him to a social tariff ?

littleboo

Ayr_Rage said:

littleboo said:

Phone only customers will have the underlying technology upgraded for them, the only difference to them is they will have a router which they need to plug their phone into, and the router needs power to work. Apart from that, it should be transparent. 
However, I'm not sure that TalkTalk provide a phone-only service, if not, that might be an issue at some point s he is now a TT customer

Don't forget the fibre cable needs to be installed, so there will be some upheaval involved when the copper line is discontinued.

Yes, you're right. But it may be that they will move to a digital voice service before full fibre is available. So at some point they will get migrated to fibre, that may or may not happen at the same time as they move to a digital voice service.

donglefan

no pension credit.

i spent 36 minutes on chat and got to this:
Sorry for the wait and thank you so much for sharing this to me. yes we are aware on that one and don't worry as TalkTalk Service will provide a resolution to this one and We will cascade regarding this matter if this will ever happen in the future.

are they using bots at talktalk?  so much nonsense

FreeBear

mebu60 said: VOIP will only work when there is internet service so also won't work during power cuts. You may need to persevere with the mobile to cover for emergencies. He will also need to keep it charged and it will need to be used every few months if it's payg otherwise the sim will be deactivated and the number reused. 

Got switched over to VOIP a couple of years back, and I don't have a mobile phone as a back up (nor do I want one). Eventually got Virgin to supply me with an Emergency Back Up Line - This looks like a regular phone, plugged in to the router, and also in to the mains. Internally, it has a battery and a SIM card and automatically switches to the mobile network in the event of a power cut or broadband failure. All at no extra cost to me, although it was a real fight to get the darned thing....

I don't know if other providers can/will provide an EBUL.

If your uncle doesn't want broadband (and I don't blame him if he doesn't), it is possible to purchase the Motorola FW500, pop a SIM card in, and just use the mobile network. Gives him the looks & feel of a regular phone, but using the mobile network.