I think you�ll find Openreach FTTP ONT�s will not be coming with a built in PSTN jack any more ....

... if the mobile signal is poor, can they not use �wifi calling� on their mobile ?

I think so Andrew, as I believe he said he was billed by BT. I can double check this.

I wasn't aware of such a feature Zarjaz. Is this by using an APP on your mobile phone which is essentially VOIP. If so, how does it work in the sense of carriers and cost etc

Edit: I've see that companies like Skype and the other big companies do VOIP. But are there any apps that work just like using a basic telephone, where the recipient doesnt need to use an app and can simply carry on using their traditional copper wire/local exchange "powered" telephone?

Edited by Vorlon (Thu 08-Aug-19 22:13:05)

If you have an Internet connection FTTP, VDSL and ADSL) then you can use VOIP. The VOIP equipment you use and what ever VOIP service you choose to use are independent of the broadband supplier. The subject is discussed in the recent threads in the VOIP section of this website.

It is sometimes possible to make mobile phone calls via wifi, but the availability does depend on the network operator and the particular phone being used. Vodafone supply Sure Signal boxes that connect to wired broadband and provide a signal that you can connect (quite possibly) any mobile phone using a Vodafone Sim to.

Wi-Fi calling lets your mobile make and receive calls over the wi-fi signal rather than the mobile signal

If using traditional voip (say traditional as has been around for many years) then you connect a VoIP ATA to the router and then you can plug in a standard telephone e.g. https://www.vonage.co.uk/home/friends-and-family/ and their Vonage box.

In another post you say they are paying BT, are they paying BT for a FTTP plus voice service or JUST a FTTP data. If paying for voice then the people to ask would be BT as to how they connect their phone.

The BT Smart Hub supports DECT so likely has its own built in VoIP for use as phone service in FTTP only locations. This makes sense with the shift from the phone socket on the Openreach kit to being on the retailers kit. Looking at pictures of the ports on the Smart Hub there is also a standard phone socket.

Thanks for all your replies.

As far as Im aware he is paying just for a BT FTTP product without a phone package. I believe he is paying £29.95 per month, but I have no idea as to what sort of speeds that buys. I'm guess being Fibre there's the scope for some super fast speeds available if you wish to pay more, but I think he's unlikely to do that.

I'll look into what VOIP services are available via an App for mobile phone use, but knowing him, he'll not want Skype or any of the other well known communication products.
I think he'd just want to be able to use his phone on Wifi in more or less the way it works with normal cell use and contacting people.
So ideally an App that you open and can simply dial a number without the need for video support or lots of features - so basically the same as dialling on your landline or mobile phone (cell connection).

Edit: Thanks for the Vonage link, that looks like the sort of think that would suit him, although I wonder if BT would be cheaper to supply a voice package , even if it was say just free calls in the evenings only, rather than anytime.

Edit:2:- Are there any Pictures of the BT FTTP home installations, as I believe he said that there was a device like a modem inside a larger enclosure. I wondered if this was described to me accurately (or if I got it right!) that there is room in the enclosure for other kit?

Your friend will be paying line rental to BT as they don�t offer FTTP without line rental unlike other providers such as Zen. Cheapest/easiest option will be to ask BT to add on a suitable calling package and plug in a phone into the FVA socket.

For Wi-Fi calling he would require a suitable handset (eg iPhone 6 or above) and a compatible network. Not all phones & networks (especially MVNOs) support WC.

There�s no room in the �enclosure� for anything else.

The FVA set up would supply a fly lead (PSTN jacks either end) and you�d �patch� the voice service to the properties internal wiring.

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I find wifi calling an excellent feature. A property I moved to had dreadful mobile reception ... I was at that point with Vodaphone ... they wanted a small sum to provide a Sure Signal (which seemed harsh as I had been their customer for many years) So I moved to EE , enabled the feature on my iPhone, sorted. It works really well.
BT mobile have now added it to their mobile service too, rather than the clunky app that did the same function previously.
I�m certain other providers offer the function, but these are the only two I have experience of.
So as soon as my mobile picks up a wifi connection it �knows� it will dial and send texts via that .... call charges are the same.

Probably paying line rental - the fibre only deals are not mainstream so would not rule out 100% their being a data only package.

At install time if the order was a broadband and phone package, then either fibre voice access available or the Smart Hub with phone socket supplied.