FTTC and telephone service

I've been told by my ISP that if I do not convert to digital voice Openreach will slap a penalty, raising to £12 a month in October if I do not up grade to digital voice.
My ISP - Idnet, say they can't change my service to digital as I am on FTTC and they can't just stop supplying a phone service. If this is correct then this is nothing less than an openreach blackmail to force everyone onto FTTP.
Comments welcome folks

In reply to a post by tanshman:

I've been told by my ISP that if I do not convert to digital voice Openreach will slap a penalty, raising to £12 a month in October if I do not up grade to digital voice.
My ISP - Idnet, say they can't change my service to digital as I am on FTTC and they can't just stop supplying a phone service. If this is correct then this is nothing less than an openreach blackmail to force everyone onto FTTP.
Comments welcome folks

You haven't stated who your telephone voice service contract is with?

Also do you have FTTP available at the same property?

Edited by PCJM40 (Fri 30-Jan-26 14:23:47)

We have had a similar letter from IDNet. We are on FTTC including the phone service. FTTP is available from a local altnet but their network does not have IPv6 capability and they do not allow other ISPs to access their fibre network so I don't particularly want to sign up with them.

The first step up in the pricing takes place w/e/f 1st. April 2026 (£2.50 per month ex VAT or £3.00 per month inc VAT) for those who carry on with the WLR services. IDNet do have VoIP options available on their web-site but there have been horror stories on this forum about their lack of support for domestic users who have signed up to the IDNet VoIP services.

Our exchange is on the BT list for upgrade to FTTP (no date given) so we have been hanging on hoping that we will have the option to upgrade to an FTTP supplier over the BT network. However, IDNet have now pre-empted the situation and we are starting the process to move to another ISP with a SOGEA connection and an independent VoIP contract. We have not been overly impressed with the IDNet service for a while now and have been delaying any move in the hope that we would only have the single pain barrier of a move to FTTP/VoIP at the same time. However, needs must . . .

Edited by GonePostal (Fri 30-Jan-26 15:10:55)

Almost none of that sounds accurate, can you post the actual wording that you've received?

Really sorry to hear that, if you had been on a major providers they would most likely have moved you over to SOGEA and Digital Voice without incurring a new contract.

Throughout 2026 Openreach are increasing charges for those not taking up 'Digital Voice' (VoIP), Idnet not being able (acording to OP) to migrate those on FTTC to 'Digital Voice' is a decision of that company, other companies have such as TalkTalk, Vodafone, etc have set up to transision.

In reply to a post by jpm:

Almost none of that sounds accurate, can you post the actual wording that you've received?

E-mail from IDNet copied below;

This is an important announcement regarding your WLR copper-based services.

Please do not ignore this message.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Price increases for customers on legacy WLR copper- based services.

Openreach is permanently shutting down the old copper‑based analogue phone network (WLR) and moving the entire country to all‑IP digital services.

To this end, they are imposing a series of price increases during 2026 to 'persuade' users to move to non WLR copper services before the scheduled shutdown of WLR at the end of the year.

IDNet will be passing these increases on as a monthly surcharge to your bill.


Phone Services

From April 1st 2026 all WLR based phone services (PSTN, ISDN) will have a £2.50 ex vat (£3 inc vat) monthly surcharge applied, this will rise to £5 ex vat (£6 inc vat) on 1st July and then to £10 ex vat (£12 inc vat) on 1st October.

ISDN & PSTN MultiLine services will cease at the end of 2026, please see our Hosted PBX alternative.

Standard PSTN single line services may continue past this date (subject to Openreach consideration) but at a much higher cost and with fewer features.

👉ACTION: If you need to make outgoing & receive incoming calls we recommend you switch to a VoIP based service such as our UBoss Basic & Centrex Single Line.

If you are only receiving calls then our Number Redirection service will be the best option.

If you don't make or receive calls and only use your phone line for broadband, you should first upgrade your broadband service and then cancel your phone service.

If you are deemed a vulnerable person (health reasons or age) with a critical need for landline phone service then please let us know ASAP so we can record this on your account.



Broadband Services

From April 1st 2026 all WLR based broadband services (ADSL2+, FTTC, GFast) will have a £2.50 ex vat (£3 inc vat) monthly surcharge applied.

ADSL2+, FTTC & GFast services will cease at the end of 2026.

👉ACTION: You must engage with us urgently to decide what broadband upgrade option is appropriate for you. We will not be automatically upgrading broadband services.

You can view options and modify your existing IDNet service via our Customer Portal.


Further Information

For further information about WLR switch off please see the WLR Switch Off page on our website.

According to Idnet SoGEA, the method by which those not on full fibre can have a separate telephone service is no longer being sold by Openreach in those areas where full fibre, FTTP is available.

After much Internet searching I've concluded that the position is this.
At the end of 2026 Openreach will turn off the all WLR copper-wire based phone services.
In order to convince people to up-grade to a digital phone service they will impose the following penalties, on April 1st 2026 a £3 monthly surcharge rising to £6 on 1st July and then to £12 on 1st October.
As the only way to have a separate phone service when using FTTC is with a SoGEA service, but Openreach are not selling this service to ISPs in areas where FTTP is available.
For those not on a full fibre broadband service there is no way of having a digital phone service, or just having the phone line disconnected, which means users not on a full fibre service will either have to pay a total surcharge of £63 until their phone service is turned off, or convert to FTTP

That's what I would have expected it to say. If you want to keep your phone you can move it to their VoIP service. If you don't want your phone then you let it go.

In reply to a post by tanshman:

According to Idnet SoGEA, the method by which those not on full fibre can have a separate telephone service is no longer being sold by Openreach in those areas where full fibre, FTTP is available.

This is also inaccurate, it's possibly describing SOTAP. FTTP availability does not necessarily mean that SOGEA isn't available, though some ISPs will not offer with SOGEA if FTTP exists.

If you state what your actual issue is then people can help.

Edited by jpm (Fri 30-Jan-26 16:40:43)

Is FTTP available to you? Your post suggests it is (as it is specifically saying if FTTP is available then they won't supply SoGEA). If it is then what stops you from moving to it?

In reply to a post by tanshman:

FTTP is available.

Out of interest why would you not want to switch to FTTP and a VOIP service instead of incurring the extra charges. If its due to choice then you can't complain if Openreach apply a surcharge.

I'm not objecting on a personal level, it's the fact that Openreach are effectively blackmailing all those on FTTC to up-grade to FTTP whether they can afford it or not, and doing it without revealing their true purpose

In reply to a post by tanshman:

I'm not objecting on a personal level, it's the fact that Openreach are effectively blackmailing all those on FTTC to up-grade to FTTP whether they can afford it or not, and doing it without revealing their true purpose

What you say really doesn't add up, the fact openreach are discontinuing their failing PSTN by the end of the year and want customers to move sooner rather than later so they can switch off the old kit seems reasonable. if you wasn't being obstructive you would have already moved over rather than waiting to the very last minute and complaining.

The cost of moving to FTTP is no more expensive.

Edited by PCJM40 (Fri 30-Jan-26 17:07:01)

Exactly, it’s not like this hasn’t been clearly explained and published for a very long time.

For reference I was moved to SOGEA and Digital Voice in September 2019, granted that was a BT trial but it wasn't an Openreach trial at the time, the product was available to all CPs. This move should have been communicated at every product renewal for at least five years now.

Hi,

In reply to a post by tanshman:

I'm not objecting on a personal level, it's the fact that Openreach are effectively blackmailing all those on FTTC to up-grade to FTTP whether they can afford it or not, and doing it without revealing their true purpose

Firstly, it is your ISP who is increasing the price, not Openreach - what does your contract with your ISP say - does it permit them to increase the price of the service as they are saying they will do? The price increase to you might be as a result of an Openreach price increase but presumably if the sandwich van outside the ISP offices increases the price of bacon butties then they could do the same?

Secondly, FTTP usually costs the ISP less than the equivalent FTTC/SoGEA service (assuming that the ISP can take advantage of the various discounts available to them) so a move to FTTP shouldn't cost the end customer more, unless the ISP is perhaps being a little cheeky with their pricing?

In reply to a post by tanshman:

After much Internet searching I've concluded that the position is this ...

Can I ask again the question you have ignored:

Who is your phone service with currently?

Outside of social tariffs FTTP is usually the same price or cheaper than FTTC, take TalkTalk, their cheapest advertised FTTC is 'Fibre 65' at £26/m, their FTTP starts at £24/m for 'Full Fibre 150'. So there is no case to be answered as to affordability of the move to FTTP.

In reply to a post by tanshman:

I'm not objecting on a personal level, it's the fact that Openreach are effectively blackmailing all those on FTTC to up-grade to FTTP whether they can afford it or not, and doing it without revealing their true purpose

In my case, my switch (with the same provider who uses OpenReach) represented a small DEcrease in my monthly cost.

While trigger is area based actual decision is based on what is available to an individual property.

SOGEA can be either FTTC or FTTP, it is just a service with no WLR component

My company has had the same e-mail from IDNet for one of our rural circuits, but that circuit has complexities. First, IDNet do not provide the copper, they re-sell an Openreach/BT ADSL link that uses the copper. We rent the copper from TalkTalk. The reason for this odd arrangement is that historically both the PSTN connection and the ADSL were supplied by an ISP that got bought by TalkTalk. However the exchange did not have local loop unbundling, so TalkTalk put the ADSL back-haul through Daisy and throughput fell to < 100 kb/s at busy times. We therefore moved the ADSL to IDNet which got us back to Openrach/BT infrastructure and full throughput.
All works well and we need the PSTN as it has alarm signals going through it. Why have n't the alarm signals been moved off the PSTN? Because there is no FTTP available, we have maintained power, but the local FTTC drops 45mins into a power cut as does the back-up cellular. The local exchange has battery and auto-start diesel back-up which keeps both ADSL and PSTN working and in the last 15 years there has not been a power cut of length such that this has failed.
I asked IDNet whether they proposed to charge us extra, even though we don't rent our copper from them, and they said no; the message was sent to us by mistake.
There is no date for Openreach FTTP. Gigaclear did not get close, because of private land issues, and, in any case they have the same power cut vulnerability as FTTC, so no advantage.

Edited to correct information after MrSaffron post below.

In reply to a post by ajseeds:

My company has had the same e-mail from IDNet for one of our rural circuits, but that circuit has complexities. First, IDNet do not provide the copper, they re-sell an Openreach/BT ADSL link that uses the copper. We rent the copper from TalkTalk. The reason for this odd arrangement is that historically both the PSTN connection and the ADSL were supplied by an ISP that got bought by TalkTalk. However the exchange did not have local loop unbundling, so TalkTalk put the ADSL back-haul through Daisy and throughput fell to < 100 kb/s at busy times. We therefore moved the ADSL to IDNet which got us back to Openrach/BT infrastructure and full throughput.

So that sounds like the ADSL data service is provided using Openreach DSLAM (with IDnet as the ISP) and the voice service is provided by Whole Sale Line Rental (WLR) openreach service, and TalkTalk are handling the money for the line rental and the voice.

All works well and we need the PSTN as it has alarm signals going through it. Why have n't the alarm signals been moved off the PSTN? Because there is no FTTP available, we have maintained power, but the local FTTC drops 45mins into a power cut as does the back-up cellular. The local exchange has battery and auto-start diesel back-up which keeps both ADSL and PSTN working and in the last 15 years there has not been a power cut of length such that this has failed.

Except Openreach have told everyone, and have Ofcom agreement, that WLR and PSTN are to close by 2027. The physical exchange building WILL close eventually too.

There is no date for Openreach FTTP.

No connection between FTTP and the closure of WLR and PSTN. People assume it, but there is zero connection.

If TalkTalk had installed their LLU hardware in the exchange then there COULD be a different date.

see:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/landli...

https://business.bt.com/insights/uk-pstn-switch-off/

Edited by jchamier (Sat 31-Jan-26 17:37:42)

PSTN switch off does not mean those lines with just ADSL are being cut off, those DSLAM will continue for now but you move from WLR+ADSL to SOADSL. Same DSLAM same ADSL speeds same exchange level battery backup for the kit

If everything is provided by other people as other poster suggests why are IDNet involved at all?

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

PSTN switch off does not mean those lines with just ADSL are being cut off, those DSLAM will continue for now but you move from WLR+ADSL to SOADSL. Same DSLAM same ADSL speeds same exchange level battery backup for the kit

Gotcha, thanks for the update. I guess with exchange closure eventually SOADSL will disappear as well, but years after WLR.

If everything is provided by other people as other poster suggests why are IDNet involved at all?

Good question.

Edited by jchamier (Sat 31-Jan-26 17:36:06)

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

PSTN switch off does not mean those lines with just ADSL are being cut off, those DSLAM will continue for now but you move from WLR+ADSL to SOADSL. Same DSLAM same ADSL speeds same exchange level battery backup for the kit

IIRC this migration path is not permitted if SOGEA or FTTP is available to the premises, it would have to be to SOGEA + digital voice which in this case is not reliable during power outages.

More generally the WLR withdrawl is going to force ADSL customers to be upgraded to SOGEA or FTTP, if either of these are available to their premises, optionally with digital voice if they still require a voice service. (I'm still unclear as to why Openreach had to invent SOTAP, technically it is no different from MPF feeding an LLU MSAN)

If everything is provided by other people as other poster suggests why are IDNet involved at all?

My reading of the setup was:
Originally WLR+ADSL from ISP X
ISP X bought by TalkTalk, no LLU so ADSL backhaul migrated from BT Wholesale to Daisy
ADSL moved to IDnet due to poor performance, ADSL backhaul reverts to BT Wholesale

So currently paying TalkTalk for WLR only and IDnet for ADSL.

If migration were permitted by exception then the IDnet could convert from ADSL, currently using SMPF, to SOADSL using SOTAP, assuming IDnet offer it, with the TalkTalk WLR ceasing. Then a digital voice / VoIP service from IDnet or another provider with which the current alarm signalling is hopefully compatible.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

customers to be upgraded to SOGEA

Interesting take on customers losing a service.

In reply to a post by tdw42:

which in this case is not reliable during power outages.

I suspect neither Openreach or any of the mentioned ISPs are offering contractually a service that works in a power outage. That would be a higher level of business service, such as a "leased line". Whilst the home consumer has for decades had the benefit of exchange powered voice services, and Openreach FTTC has had batteries in the cabinets, I don't think any of this is contractually provided. Worth checking with ISPs if this is a critical requirement; I would assume very few would enter into discussion even AAISP, over consumer services.

Edited by jchamier (Sun 01-Feb-26 14:25:27)

In reply to a post by jchamier:

I suspect neither Openreach or any of the mentioned ISPs are offering contractually a service that works in a power outage.

According to the Ofcom General Conditions of entitlement:
A3.3 Regulated Providers must inform their Relevant Customers in plain English and in an easily accessible manner that access to Emergency Organisations using VoIP Outbound Call Services may cease if there is a power cut or power failure, or a failure of the internet connection on which the service relies. This information must be provided during the sales process, within the terms and conditions of use, and in any user guide issued by the Regulated Provider.

I don't know how obvious this is made in the BT and other providers sign-up process, however the BT Digital Voice terms of service includes:
9. What happens to my Digital Voice service in the event of a power cut?
It won’t work, so you won’t be able to make or receive calls, including to the Emergency Organisations.
10. Are there any BT products available to help keep me connected in the event of a power cut?
You can buy our battery back-up unit (BBU) which will keep your phone line connected for up to an hour if there’s a power cut.

For SOGEA this is also reliant on the Openreach DSLAM having backup power. I can't find any Openreach terms of service, I expect they are only available to commuications providers who use their services, however their All IP FAQs v1.7 includes:
Q16. In the event of a power cut, can I power the router independently and still have connectivity?
If you can provide a suitable Battery Back Up for your Router, then it will continue to allow access to the router and onward services.
Q17. Will Communication Providers be providing routers with battery back-up to provide some resilience?
CPs must provide a Battery Back Up unit for vulnerable customers that will give a minimum of one hour of power for the router, in accordance with OFCOM guidance. If you do not qualify as a vulnerable customer, you may wish to purchase one of these units from your CP or from an independent supplier.
Q18. I don’t think 1 hour is long enough for a Battery Back Up Unit, what should I do?
OFCOM have directed CPs to provide a unit that will give at least one hour of power to a router for critical 999 calls. If you wish to add more power units these can be purchased independently from some CPs and other independent suppliers.

The latter implies that Openeach will maintain DSLAM power for at least an hour, but without stating a minimum the suggestion of customers having a greater capacity backup unit, e.g. the one in this https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2025/03/broadb... news article, is rather pointless for SOGEA customers and this is not made clear in the CPs documentation.

As an aside I live in a town and only have infrequent power outages, but the from the few in the last 5+ years I know the battery in the DSLAM serving my premises is dead or missing as my modem looses sync immediate the power fails. Openreach either don't bother monitoring or don't care to fix, my ISP wouldn't escalate and end users can't contact Openreach so stuck. If this is commonplace the BT Digital Voice terms of service cannot be met.

Edited by tdw42 (Sun 01-Feb-26 17:17:04)

So this is [censored]-about-face SMPF?

With the TalkTalk MSAN providing the analogue voice and a BT Wholesale DSLAM providing the ADSL.
(Assuming IDnet get their ADSL from BTW and not yet another LLU provider.)

God knows how that was allowed to happen; I didn't think it was a "thing".