Digital Voice ?

Hello,

Currently I have FTTP and a copper cable for my landline. However I received a letter through the post that they are switching me to digital voice soon but the problem is that I don’t use the smart hub 2. I use my own set up and as far as I know, I need the smart hub for the phone line? My master socket is in a different location too. So I take it I’m going to lose using the phone line unless I use that hub. I’m sure the ONT doesn’t have a port for phone line either.

Basically yes. If you want to keep using the landline with Digital Voice it only works via the Smart Hub 2.

I don't believe it's possible to migrate the landline number without it ceasing your FTTP.

You may (maybe not) be able to delay the switch to Digital Voice by claiming you have an alarm system that requires dial tone.
This would only delay the switch.

Eventually though you will either need to switch ISP or take a data only FTTP package from BT and move the landline number to VOIP.
As above though I don't believe it's possible to move the landline number without it terminating the FTTP as currently they are bundled together.

There is no way around the requirement to use the Smart Hub 2 to make or receive calls on BT Digital Voice.

Edited by j0hn83 (Sun 17-Oct-21 14:54:26)

As j0hn83 has already pointed out, you don't have many options here unfortunately 🙁

How tied to the actual landline number are you?
The reason I ask is that you can get a free "landline" number from Sipgate Basic, which you could transition to (I.e. tell the people who call your landline it's your new number).

You would need a new little piece of kit to plug your existing phones into, but that's all.

It would then mean you can keep using your own router etc. and not be forced to use BT's SmartHub

Bundled broadband and voice packages work well for millions of folks that keep to the formulaic ‘standard’ setup, but if you want to do anything out of the ordinary or non-standard then the “rigidity” of the bundle is problematic.

For anyone “rolling your own” it has to be data only and run everything else Over The Top (OTT).

I thought number porting was supposed to made easier and Openreach have added that order journey for CPs to use as they recognise people may just want to have broadband/data only and use an alternative VoIP provider.

I see some other forums saying it might be easier to port after the switch to Digital Voice is made.

In reply to a post by cymru123:

I thought number porting was supposed to made easier and Openreach have added that order journey for CPs to use as they recognise people may just want to have broadband/data only and use an alternative VoIP provider.

I believe this is a BT Retail constraint, rather than an Openreach product limitation. e.g. to get the BT Retail prices for FTTP, they come with bundled PSTN, which is switched to Digital Voice.

I see some other forums saying it might be easier to port after the switch to Digital Voice is made.

The issue with BT Retail is porting your number out will probably cancel the FTTP as it is all bundled together.

Not all CP's work this way.

Edited by jchamier (Sun 17-Oct-21 15:47:49)

BT Consumer now offer Broadband only, wonder if they can place an order for Broadband only and a porting order for the number?

In reply to a post by cymru123:

BT Consumer now offer Broadband only, wonder if they can place an order for Broadband only and a porting order for the number?

That's an idea, unless there is a minimum term that has to be paid for first.

In reply to a post by cymru123:

BT Consumer now offer Broadband only, wonder if they can place an order for Broadband only and a porting order for the number?

That would lose the landline number.

OpenReach have a service called "renumber with number export" exactly for this. BT do not support/offer this service.

AFAIK there is no way to migrate the landline number (to VOIP or another provider) from a bundled BT Broadband and voice service without it triggering a cease of the broadband.

The OP appears to have 3 options.
1. Lose the landline number
2. Use Digital Voice
3. Migrate the number to VOIP, cease the broadband, then sign back up on a data only package. That will involve downtime on the FTTP.

Edit: It might now be possible to do the above on Digital Voice. It definitely isn't possible on PSTN and definitely wasn't possible in the past on Digital Voice.

Edited by j0hn83 (Sun 17-Oct-21 16:16:08)

So to flesh out option 3… very clunky as it is….

Presumably the broadband service is ceased by BT on the same day/date as the number is exported?

If the customer knows the port/cease date in advance, could they realistically with enough forward notice arrange for the “new” replacement (data only) FTTP service to commence on the same day? Presumably this would be possible with enough advance notice (10 working days) - even if this was recontracting with BT?

Nobody wishes to loose a landline number that they have have had for very long time and it really depends how much you are prepared to cough up to retain it. And it could be a considerable sum of money. These are the hurdles that you will have to jump over BEFORE the number is moved over into BTs Digital Voice Service:
1) Are you in contract with your FTTP Bundle? You will almost certainly have to pay an early termination fee if you are;
2) Order up a new SOGEA FTTP service from a provider of your choice. There are some good deals out where installation charges are really low.
3) Once this new service is up and running, start using it with your own router;
4) Buy a VoIP phone like the Gigaset N510 IP PRO or alternatively use a Softphone;
5) Port the landline number into a Hosted VoIP service where there might be a porting fee of around £40;
6) Expect to be hit with a termination fee (even if out of contract) for ceasing BTs service which is thought to be £36.

Is this reply meant for me or the OP @trolleybus?

The OP of course.

I run my Sipgate number into PC and Android apps, so can have calls to phone and pc for decant audio and microphone.
https://basichelp.sipgate.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/20...

Thought I’d check as you replied to my post (in reply to John83’s post) and not the OP, so it was a thread off the main one….but I digress.

My reply was to enquire whether the broadband could be changed over to a new provider, following the same timescales as number export (and cease of the existing FTTP service).

They are 2 separate operations that you would (ideally) need to coincide the date. There are potentially 3 other parties involved - 1. gaining provider for the voice number, 2. BT (losing provider for both currently) and 3. the new FTTP provider (though could be BT again if going for data only).

I’m not entirely sure you could get everything to line up on dates. Although I ported my number from Virgin many years ago it didn’t have the same effect of losing the rest of the broadband.

It’s tricky.

Edited by Pheasant (Mon 18-Oct-21 11:46:00)

How about you disable the DHCP on your current router and connect it via ethernet to the hub? So effectively working as an extra switch and WAP. (A common setup in the past to add ports or extend wifi range).Then your phone can connect to the BT hub.

What you do about the two WAPs, (in the BT Hub and your router) is up to you. It depends where they are.

Also would need to get his voice wiring near the router or the router near the voice wiring. Not insurmountable, but could be awkward if the copper cabling isn’t anywhere near the FTTP ONT.

Unless it's a DECT system where the base station could/would be near the Hub.

I just got the dreaded letter saying its coming soon and to get ready...

What really are my options?

My landline is in contract so i doubt they would just stop it?

Its rarely used just for some family to call/...

I'm not using the hub.

In reply to a post by BuckleZ:

My landline is in contract so i doubt they would just stop it?

Separate contract to the FTTP or bundled with it?

Your options are limited.

1. Use the BT Hub if you want to make/receive calls.

2. Continue using your own router and just stop receiving/making landline calls.

3. Migrate the landline number to a VOIP provider, which also ceases your FTTP. You could then order it again as a data only product.

There is no way to make or receive calls without using the BT Hub.
There is no way to migrate the landline number away without it ceasing your FTTP.

Yoy "might" be able to delay the process by claiming you have an alarm that requires dial tone. It would buy you a matter of months though (if the delaying tactic is still even an option).