Separate fibre BB from phone line

Looking to extract landline phone number and move to VoIP, without breaking the broadband connection (for my mother-in-law).

Currently have Plusnet FTTC connection with bundled landline, which is up for renewal early Feb. I want to take the opportunity to get the number out and move to VoIP at this renewal.

What I am worried about is renewing the broadband (with PN or another provider), and then breaking that connection when I port the number out. Of course I have to wait to port the number until the new broadband is live. Will signing up for broadband only, automatically release the phone line/number, or will they remain tied?

Porting a landline number doesn’t’t always seem to be possible. I was going to upgrade to Vodafone FTTP but cancelled when they decided that I couln’t keep my current number.

It may just be that they were being lazy, but retaining the continuity of my landline is more important, to me, than a faster connection.

I had to cease broadband on a line altogether to get my number out from Sky and ported to AAISP VoIP.

Can you get FTTP at the property or is there more than one line ?

FTTP is an available 'upgrade' option, yes.
She is currently on copper line for phone.

In reply to a post by aks:

FTTP is an available 'upgrade' option, yes.
She is currently on copper line for phone.

In that case I suggest that the Cunning Plan would be:
a) Order a new FTTP service (*not* an upgrade) from your preferred broadband provider (edit: and verify that the new service is working correctly!).
b) Port the phone number to your preferred VOIP provider (I'm using A&A, other providers are available).
c) Once the port is complete, the old copper line will cease automatically.

Edited by behuk (Thu 11-Jan-24 21:49:07)

In reply to a post by behuk:

In reply to a post by aks:

FTTP is an available 'upgrade' option, yes.
She is currently on copper line for phone.

In that case I suggest that the Cunning Plan would be:
a) Order a new FTTP service (*not* an upgrade) from your preferred broadband provider.
b) Port the phone number to your preferred VOIP provider (I'm using A&A, other providers are available).
c) Once the port is complete, the old copper line will cease automatically.

And between (a) and (b) satisfy yourself that the FTTP service is working in a satisfactory manner otherwise you could carry out (b) and find yourself without a viable internet connection. Double bubble for a couple of weeks but probably worth it just for the reassurance.

Thanks, I'll check that path now.

For VoIP, I am looking at
1) A&A - seems reasonable, seems like £1.44 minimum charge, i'e' number hosting.
2) and Voipfone - but theire effective minimum charge is £5.40 with zero mins = not that attractive.
3) Vonage, not competitive.

In reply to a post by aks:

Looking to extract landline phone number and move to VoIP, without breaking the broadband connection (for my mother-in-law).

Unless things have changed recently, if the are bundled together (Like Plusnet) it just isn't possible while staying with your current provider.

You need to order a separate standalone broadband package and when enabled you migrate the number to VOIP which triggers a cease on the broadband.

Alternatively you need to migrate both broadband and landline to a provider that supports the renumber and export process, like AAISP.

Might be worth a read of the article ISPreview did just over a year ago https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2022/12/summar... to see what else is on offer, much depends on likely usage.