In reply to a post by jpm:

A line dropping once a day I'd consider to be faulty. Multiple drops in a day are definitely a fault.

Which follows that if a faulty line drops xDSL sync then a VoIP "digital voice" connection on the same line would also be dropped...

Here are some stats from dslstats. Are the FECs considered high?

Max: Upstream rate = 9580 Kbps, Downstream rate = 56252 Kbps
Bearer: 0, Upstream rate = 9580 Kbps, Downstream rate = 54997 Kbps

Average error rates for 27 Jul 2023 @ 07:26 in the morning

CRC erors per hour: 0 Down, 0 Up
FEC erors per hour: 705910 Down, 0 Up
HEC erors per hour: 0 Down, 0 Up
ES per hour: 0 Down, 0 Up
SES per hour: 0 Down, 0 Up

Down Up
SNR (dB): 3.3 6.1
Attn(dB): 21.9 0.0
Pwr(dBm): 12.1 7.4

Total time = 12 hours 24 min 38 sec
FEC: 5507957 5
CRC: 3 1
ES: 1 1
SES: 0 0
UAS: 30 30
LOS: 0 0
LOF: 0 0
LOM: 0 0
Retr: 0
FailedRetr: 0
FailedFastRetr: 0

Latest 15 minutes time = 9 min 38 sec
FEC: 128838 0
CRC: 0 0
ES: 0 0
SES: 0 0
UAS: 0 0
LOS: 0 0
LOF: 0 0
LOM: 0 0
Retr: 0
FailedRetr: 0
FailedFastRetr: 0

Previous 15 minutes time = 15 min 0 sec
FEC: 124054 0
CRC: 0 0
ES: 0 0
SES: 0 0
UAS: 0 0
LOS: 0 0
LOF: 0 0
LOM: 0 0

Yes, my temporary FTTC is slightly different to the video because the copper line will still be live and needed for the data connection. The plan will be to remove disconnect the extn wiring from the NTE5, and connect it to a BT 77B 6 way junction, which is then connected to the DV port on the router (or ATA output in the future).

I think it isn't acceptable but I'm thinking of how the conversation will go with BT:

Me: My line drops regularly
BT: We'll do some tests. You are getting good speeds - better than your min guaranteed. Nothing seems wrong. Copper cables are not perfect and that's why we are moving to fibre. Fibre isn't available for you at the moment.

I suppose I could try but I'm not expecting any miracles.

Yes, I'm aware DV will drop as well, but our voice use is minimal. Maybe 12 incoming calls a year!

I can limit the connection speed using my Billion. I've done this in the past. I still got a lot of drops - perhaps DLM thought I can do better than 40 down. Use of the Billion when DV arrives will not be an option.

If you plan to split the services in 14 months time there may be an alternative that would allow you to split the services now but if you did that a change of phone number would probably be best.

You are probably already aware that BT will allow you to arrange to go on broadband only within 7 days if receiving the letter.

https://www.bt.com/help/landline/digital-voice-migra...

You can easily set up a VOIP line with a VOIP Provider of your choice. - (There is a lot on the Thinkbroadband VOIP board about different providers).

A new phone number would be best as it would avoid the possibility of the broadband ending if the old number was ported.

Separating the phone and broadband providers is useful because then the providers for either one could be moved without it affecting the other.

Just a thought.

The OP has said the landline is only there to receive calls from elderly relatives, I think from that we can assume that keeping the number is critical.

In reply to a post by jpm:

The OP has said the landline is only there to receive calls from elderly relatives, I think from that we can assume that keeping the number is critical.

Surely that is for the OP to decide. - All that I did is to put a viable alternative into the mix and since the plan is to separate the phone and the broadband in 14 months time it my be better to do that now.

Also, if the OP speaks with BT when/if he explores the possibility of going broadband only BT may allow him to port the phone number now without losing the broadband. - Why narrow the options?

Elderly relatives have been know to cope with phone number changes but I would agree that it may not be ideal but it may also have advantages of getting rid of nuisance calls. - (I did not port my number when I changed to VOIP and the calls about solar panels, etc. stopped).

If the OP manages to port a number away from BT that is associated with their broadband service, during the minimum contract period without attracting early termination charges and ceasing the broadband then I would be very interested because they will be the first person I have heard of managing to do that.

In reply to a post by jpm:

If the OP manages to port a number away from BT that is associated with their broadband service, during the minimum contract period without attracting early termination charges and ceasing the broadband then I would be very interested because they will be the first person I have heard of managing to do that.

That exactly why I wrote;

In reply to a post by Fido:

A new phone number would be best as it would avoid the possibility of the broadband ending if the old number was ported.

The difference in this case is that this a unerlateral change by BT which could be classed as a contractual change and it is obvious that BT already realize this because the BT Guideance link, (that I included a shortcut to earlier in the thread), indicates they will allow the customer to change to broadband only without penalty in the week after you are notified by BT of this change.

For some reason or other; you seem huffed enough to jump down my throat about this trivia ignoring the fact that I had already pointed out the flaws so it may not be perfect but for some it could be a good option.

OK. just called the BT number and it is the general BT number. I asked about retaining my number and moving to another VOIP provider but it was new territory for the adviser.

I was told my ETC (Early Termination Charge) for the 14 months left on my contract was £3.11!!! Perhaps it is something to do with my special £22.86 per month for Fibre1 + phone.

In other exciting news, the Billion hasn't resynced since it was connected 23 hours ago.

Average error rates for 27 Jul 2023

CRC erors per hour: 0 Down, 0 Up
FEC erors per hour: 776831 Down, 7.66 Up
HEC erors per hour: 0 Down, 0 Up
ES per hour: 0 Down, 0 Up
SES per hour: 0 Down, 0 Up
Total ES in the day 2561 Down, 1 Up

Perhaps the Billion is more capable than the SH2? Perhaps I just need to give it time. Perhaps the SH2 has an intermittent fault.