Order FTTP but keep landline

Hi

We'd like to order FTTP but keep our landline, which my mum, who's elderly, uses a lot.

I've read some people say that you can't have a landline with FTTP and others say that if you've already got a copper line, you can keep your landline.

Does anyone know the answer to this? We'd like to keep our number. I'm well aware that the PSTN's being switched off in a few years time.

Thanks

Paul

Edited by paul_liverpoolfc (Wed 15-Sep-21 20:54:08)

I have FTTP and have the phone on the original copper so yes it is done.

Thanks. Who do you have it with?

We're currently with Talk Talk and I was thinking of moving to BT and selecting the 'keep landline' option on the order page.

Edited by paul_liverpoolfc (Wed 15-Sep-21 20:59:04)

BT

You can migrate from FTTC to FTTP with BT, for example, and use their “Digital Voice” service (which is your ‘landline’ over the Internet connection).
However, you are limited to using their router.

Not all FTTP providers will offer a voice service, with many doing data only.

I’ve taken the decision to get FTTP installed alongside the existing FTTC, then will migrate / port the landline over to a free VOIP provider (Sipgate) for future proofing and unbundling the landline from my internet provider.

When you move from FTTC to FTTP with BT retail, at *their* option they could leave the voice on copper or they could provide you with digital voice via a port on the router. Which you get depends on the area you are in. You have no say in this.

However I would expect them to move to 100% digital voice, if they haven't done so already.

Therefore if you really, really need to keep the copper then your only option is:
- take a separate FTTP service
- cease the FTTC on your copper line (keeping the voice)

But this will cost you nearly £20 per month more for the privilege. Optionally you could transfer the copper line rental to a provider other than BT, which might get you down to the £10-£15 range.

As you already know, the PSTN will be completely switched off by 2025. Given that contracts may be up to 2 years, I'd expect no renewals of PSTN being offered by 2023.

Therefore I think you're going to have to swallow the digital voice pretty soon - or remain on FTTC as long as you can.

To be honest, I don't think your mum will be able to tell the difference between voice via a socket on the router and voice via a socket on the wall. They both provide dialtone and work with analogue phones. The potential issues are:

1. emergency calls when there's a power cut. Do you get them often in your area? If so you may want to buy a UPS
2. alarms, monitors and emergency call buttons; these may need to be upgraded to a version which works over IP

Edited by candlerb (Thu 16-Sep-21 08:02:46)

In reply to a post by candlerb:

Given that contracts may be up to 2 years, I'd expect no renewals of PSTN being offered by 2023.

That’s an interesting observation! I wonder if / how that will pan out.

It entirely depends on your ISP of choice and for some ISP's it depends where in the country you are.

With BT you can keep your landline but the computer will decide during the order process whether the landline will be provided via the copper or via VOIP/Digital Voice.
The main difference being the phone is plugged in to the BT Hub on Digital Voice rather than plugged in to the BT phone socket on the wall.

I ordered BT for a neighbour around a month ago on FTTP and the computer automatically picked Digital Voice.
There was no way to change this to use the copper line despite 1 being present.

If your mother's exchange area is an area where BT have their Digital Voice ready and rolling out you may well find there is no way to sign up to FTTP while keeping the copper line active for calls.

If the area isn't yet using Digital Voice they can simply change your mother's service to Digital Voice at any point during the contract.

My mother joined BT FTTP around 2 years ago and retained her copper line for calls.
Around 9 months ago she was informed the line would be switching from copper to Digital Voice.
In the letter she was sent she was advised that if she had an alarm that required the copper line she could delay the switch to Digital Voice (I believe it said for a year) to give time to find a solution to the alarm. She took up that option.

However around a month ago she received a BT Smart Hub 2 in the post along with notification that the line was switching to Digital Voice.
This time there was no option to delay it and the switch happened last week.

The PSTN switch off is happening in 2025 and BT plan to be ready ahead of schedule.
They may not be the best choice of provider if your mother is insistent on having a copper phone line.

Edited by j0hn83 (Thu 16-Sep-21 11:24:58)

In reply to a post by candlerb:

Given that contracts may be up to 2 years, I'd expect no renewals of PSTN being offered by 2023.

BT's current contracts don't actually state if the line is Digital Voice or PSTN.
BT can (and do) switch you from PSTN to Digital Voice mid contract.

I agree that any provider who does specifically state PSTN in their contract will stop offering renewals of those contracts.

Apparently Sky are still flexible in allowing you to choose PSTN over their VOIP service on FTTC.
No idea if they allow the same on FTTP.

In reply to a post by j0hn83:

Apparently Sky are still flexible in allowing you to choose PSTN over their VOIP service on FTTC.
No idea if they allow the same on FTTP.

There’s this little gotcha in their Ultrafast and Ultrafast Plus pre-reg here

Sky Broadband Ultrafast: Subject to status. Speeds vary by location. Sky Broadband Ultrafast is available to 25% of UK homes. Not available to customers without a mobile signal at home or reliant on their landline for emergency services. Talk service uses your broadband connection to make calls. Average speeds: 145Mbps (download) and 27Mbps (upload). Average download speed: shown for fixed line connection to your Hub; excludes WiFi performance which varies by device and home environment.