Digital voice changeover from copper

Ectophile

The point is there will be many that will claim to need assistance and
when it’s provided it’s almost embarrassing for the end user when it
takes literally a few seconds to move a phone cord from location A to
location B something the customer could have done themselves, without
waiting in for a morning or afternoon for it to be done for them .

So what happens when you find out that the plug on your phone doesn't fit the socket on the router, and the adaptor shown in the instructions wasn't in the box?

Just because something is supposed to be easy, it doesn't mean that it is.

I ended up phoning the helpline, and they talked me through a workaround. But I can imagine a less technical person could have been baffled.

iniltous

Why would the plug on a corded phone or cordless phone base station that’s currently connected to a standard uk telephone socket not fit into the identical socket on a router ?, there is only one type in use in the UK

QrizB

Why would the plug on a corded phone or cordless phone base station that’s currently connected to a standard uk telephone socket not fit into the identical socket on a router ?

I can't speak for anyone else but my router had an RJ11 socket for the phone, and the box included an RJ11-to-BT adapter.

A bit like this (my previous Vodafone router, my current one is similar):

iniltous

If you buy a broadband service that has the option of a proprietary telephone service, the router has an RJ11 socket for a telephone so a standard UK phone can connect directly , if the router hasn’t got an RJ11 socket but can still deliver the proprietary telephone service, then the ISP needs to supply with the router a suitable cable (plug and socket cable) so a UK domestic phone with an RJ11 plug can be connected , any ISP that supplies a router without an RJ11 isn’t supplying a router whose primary market is the UK , any router with an RJ45 socket for telephony probably is designed for an ATA or in business settings, a VoIP phone that has a RG45 plug not a RJ11 , and not a proprietary service designed to use standard domestic telephone equipment.

Detail_Merchant

UK domestic phones use BS 6312 not RJ11.

QrizB

UK domestic phones use BS 6312 not RJ11.

That's the point we're all trying to make to iniltous, but they seem to keep missing it!

Detail_Merchant

I wasn't sure if that was the confusion, or the fact that some ISPs provide routers with RJ11 ports on the back for VOIP telephony.

For example Virgin Media's Hub 5 (see below)
Their Hub 3 is similar, and when I was switched to VOIP I had to wait for a few days while a RJ11 to BS 6312 adapter was posted to me.

Ectophile

In case anyone is wondering about the workaround…

Most UK phones have the lead connected to the phone by a plug and socket, and that's usually an RJ11. So unplug the BT lead from the phone. Find a spare ADSL or VDSL lead with RJ11 plugs on each end. Use that to connect your phone to the router.

If the RJ11 plug doesn't want to come out of the phone, you may need a small flat bladed screwdriver to release the spring clip. Some manufacturers are awkward and use leads without the little tab you normally push in to release the plug.

Detail_Merchant

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82097738#Comment_82097738

Yes, if you have an RJ11 < - > RJ11 cable lying around that should work, but I would guess many people would not, particularly less techie type of people.

Another workaround would be to buy an adapter, e.g. https://www.kenable.co.uk/home-cctv/telephone-cables/phone-cables/rj11-4-wire-to-bt-telephone-female-socket-virgin-to-uk-adapter-6p4c-10cm-007143 for £1.16, but really the ISP should supply this upfront before a copper line to VOIP switch.

Ectophile

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82097768#Comment_82097768

Most people with broadband will have one, even if they don't know it. In my case, the new Vodafone router was a universal one that came with an Ethernet cable for fibre broadband or an RJ11 for ASDL or VDSL (aka FTTC).

Anyone who is upgrading from copper wire broadband to fibre will have one. It's the cable from the phone socket or microfilter to the back of the router.