FTTP considerations

I’ve been looking at a new BB connection for an elderly relative. The property is served by BT (CRAYFORD exchange), phone only and unlimited minutes. The BB would be used for FaceTime, nothing else. The relative makes a lot of phone calls hence the unlimited minutes. The relative has a BT wireless answer phone/phone combination with BT Trucall filtering 2 handsets (about 2 years old) and a wired phone, so does have some power cut capability.

My first thought was FTTC and Essential Fibre Unlimited or Fibre 1 Unlimited. This would keep things simple.

BT has informed me that if we ordered a FTTC package we would get a FTTP install. I understand this – copper being withdrawn.

FTTP would come with some additional considerations
• No phone during a power cut.
• BT says the wireless phones may work but if not an “advanced digital voice” phone would be supplied. I assume if they are compatible the answer phone in the base station will continue to work, although I’ve seen a forum post saying the BB Hub will act as the DECT base station.
• It looks as though Digital Voice comes with Voicemail Essential 1571 but it wouldn’t be as easy as using the base station.
• I’m not sure whether the house alarm and/or stair lift is connected to the landline. Would these function over FTTP?

Does anyone know of a one stop web page that outlines things to be considered by switching to FTTP? I’ve found this guide https://www.thinkbroadband.com/guides/fibre-fttc-ftt... but it doesn’t answer my questions. It mentions Fibre Voice Access. Has FVA been replaced by digital voice?

Would another provider e.g Vodafone also install FTTP if we ordered a FTTC package? I assume they would because it is Openreach driving the switch to FTTP?

Thank you

Paul

Firstly I would make sure BT knew you had an elderly (and possibly vulnerable) person that requires additional support for the items just mention, notably a battery backup / UPS for the VoIP line. Though there may be a wait for these currently with the wider supply chain issues…

They house alarm and stair lift companies should also have new compatible IP-capable solutions if the existing products aren’t 100% compatible with VoIP.

The voice port on the router is otherwise designed to be plug and play compatible with the large majority of existing analogue handsets and bases.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

. . . notably a battery backup / UPS for the VoIP line. . . .

Very good point from Pheasant about making sure that BT are aware of a potentially vulnerable customer. However, if I have understood the feedback from the OfCOM consultation process regarding the cessation of copper lines correctly, it is more likely that BT will supply a mobile phone if the vulnerable person does not have one and has mobile reception. We'll sweep under the carpet the issue of keeping the phone charged for people who are not used to that technology.

Edited by GonePostal (Fri 31-Dec-21 20:25:35)

Thanks Pheasant and GonePostal,

I will make the provider aware that there is an elderly / vunerable person involved. Keeping things simple/less change was my thinking about the use of FTTC package. The relative has a mobile phone but would probably struggle to use it.

I'll call Voda sales later this week (tried on 31st but kept waiting for some time) to see if they would perform an FTTP install if we ordered a FTTC package.

There may be the option to piggy back on a neighbours wifi. Providing BB for the occasional FaceTime call seems a little disproportionate. The Ipad doesn't have a SIM.

Thanks again.

Paul

You could force FTTC with an order from one of the ISPs that doesn’t support FTTP, such as Plusnet.

Alternatively you could do something like my uncle who arranged broadband for my great aunt and worked around loss of landline with a mobile that works and acts like a regular phone but with giant buttons. The base station plugs into the mains and the phone sits on it like a DECT handset. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/artfone-Upgraded-Unlocked-B...

My great aunt probably doesn’t know that it’s a mobile. My only advice would be to go for one that supports 4G so it’s unaffected by the retirement of 2G/3G in future years.

In reply to a post by DougM:

You could force FTTC with an order from one of the ISPs that doesn’t support FTTP, such as Plusnet.

If it's an FTTP Priority exchange where a stop sell had already started then an ISP like Plusnet that doesn't sell FTTP wouldn't be able to place an order at all.

Though having a quick read of the list of FTTP Priority exchanges I can't see CRAYFORD listed.
BT should really be able to place an FTTC order if that's what the customer wants.

Thanks DougM and j0hn83,

A daughter of the relative lives 4 doors down from the relative (a little too far to share her wifi signal) and in the last month or so has received FTTP with BT, during a contract renewal. Cabinet 23 shows:

Featured Products Downstream Line Rate(Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream Range (Mbps) Availability Date FTTP Install Process
WBC FTTP Upto 1000 Upto 220 -- Available 1 Stage

The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme
WLR is currently available at the exchange
Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential OH Feed with no anticipated issues.
FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.
If you decide to place an order for a WBC fibre product, an appointment may be required for an engineer to visit the end user's premises to supply the service

Off topic: When I use the daughters phone number in the BTW BB checker it says: There is no data available for this number. This could be either because it is not a BT line or it is a new BT number that has just been provided. Most new numbers will appear on the checker 24 hours after BT has installed the line

Is this related to the switch to FTTP? The daughter is with BT and has the Advanced DV handset.

Back on topic, I've found this TBB article about DV https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/8980-what-kit-bt...

I've also found a DrayTek article whilst googling for "smart hub 2 phone port" which adds to my knowledge.

Thank you

In reply to a post by BarkingMad:

Off topic: When I use the daughters phone number in the BTW BB checker it says: There is no data available for this number. This could be either because it is not a BT line or it is a new BT number that has just been provided. Most new numbers will appear on the checker 24 hours after BT has installed the line

Is this related to the switch to FTTP? The daughter is with BT and has the Advanced DV handset.

Yes. Digital Voice numbers don't show any results on the BTW checker.
You need to use the address checker in future.