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?