In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Why new phones, because if you want all the features such as high quality digital voice you will need the new handsets.

Is there some sort of standard for these new digital handsets? Or is it going to prove really difficult to switch providers if every provider requires you to use their specific type of handset?

In reply to a post by cjgpers:

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Why new phones, because if you want all the features such as high quality digital voice you will need the new handsets.

Is there some sort of standard for these new digital handsets? Or is it going to prove really difficult to switch providers if every provider requires you to use their specific type of handset?

In theory VoIP (SIP) is a standard and has been around for quite a long time and any VoIP type phone usually can be configured to work with any type of VoIP service.

The trouble is if someone supplies the phone already pre-configured, then it could be they have also locked it down to stop someone from re-configuring it to work elsewhere, and/or to avoid support calls should someone play about and break it. In the case of BT Digital Voice the phone is offered for 'free' so I'd expect it to be locked down. How locked down? Perhaps someone can have a look and let us know.

Edited by E300 (Sat 01-Feb-20 16:50:56)

No

Providers will offer standard phone socket ports, so if you don't want their handset you can use any standard phone you buy on the high street, be that corded or DECT with its own base station.

What you won't get is the software enhancements that are specific to that suppliers handset.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Now if everyone who has reason to ring you only has your mobile number the problem goes completely away. If it is adequately charged at all times ....

We�re doomed, I tell you. LOL

See that's the issue, whenever we have had a power cut here in our area, it has also taken out a few phone cell towers, so we have had absolutely no way to make or receive phone calls.

Where as at the moment with FVA + BBU along with an old wired phone then we do.

SO what ever route BT take it will require a BBU and a device to make the call if needed.

Paul

In my Home town EE/3 Mast in same location as Voda/O2 goes down in power outage whereas Voda/O2 Stays online for approx 2/3 hours with full signal, EE/3 mast blatantly has no battery backup whereas O2/Voda do according to pictures of inside their cabinets online

why would the EE/3 Mbnl mast not have Battery backup whereas the Voda/O2 cornerstone mast does?

This could be problematic for future of calls via mobile and local area outages.

In reply to a post by thomaswarne01:

why would the EE/3 Mbnl mast not have Battery backup whereas the Voda/O2 cornerstone mast does?

Is there any directive that forces all UK mobile masts to have battery backup?

In reply to a post by PaulKirby:

See that's the issue, whenever we have had a power cut here in our area, it has also taken out a few phone cell towers, so we have had absolutely no way to make or receive phone calls.

Where as at the moment with FVA + BBU along with an old wired phone then we do.

SO what ever route BT take it will require a BBU and a device to make the call if needed.

Paul

Also a must for areas with no mobile coverage.

We get about four or five power cuts a year due to damage to the long length of overhead cabling into our village. The village is on the Northumberland Coastal Walk and we regularly have people falling and requiring medical assistance while on the Walk. If it happens while we have a power-cut we can currently use a wired hand-set to call for assistance (or even the BT payphone box which has been retained specifically to mitigate the risk of being out of contact). If the hard-wired option disappears there will be no way for anyone living/staying in the village or walking through to summon the emergency services.

The PSTN *is* being phased out, and in a few years there will no longer be analogue lines which are powered from the exchange. Your landline connection *will* be digital, whether it's FTTP or VDSL/ADSL.

However, you can always install a small UPS to power your ONT and router.

In parallel with this, mobile coverage is being increased, so the problem of being unable to make calls during power cuts affects fewer and fewer people. Meanwhile, things like VHF radios still exist for emergency coverage in the most remote areas.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

The PSTN *is* being phased out, and in a few years there will no longer be analogue lines which are powered from the exchange. Your landline connection *will* be digital, whether it's FTTP or VDSL/ADSL.

However, you can always install a small UPS to power your ONT and router.

In parallel with this, mobile coverage is being increased, so the problem of being unable to make calls during power cuts affects fewer and fewer people. Meanwhile, things like VHF radios still exist for emergency coverage in the most remote areas.

All fine and dandy but still doesn't explain how an ordinary person living in an area with no mobile reception will be able to contact the emergency services unless they install extra kit at their own expense compared with what happens now. If that is the case will we see the telecom providers offering reduced prices to people living in such areas. We can all probably work out the answer to that one.