When getting rid of my landline I setup the planned 4G replacement first and set up a free geographic number with Sipgate for testing. After a month of successful testing I migrated the old landline number to Sipgate for £20 which also ceased the line and ADSL automatically. To do the same you would order the FTTP as a fresh install and keep the FTTC, then, once you are happy with whoever you used for VOIP, transfer the landline number to the VOIP provider and your FTTC and landline will cease with the FTTP still in place. FTTP and old landline number will be with 2 providers and no longer linked so you can transfer one without affecting the other.

Yes that’s effectively a “fully hosted” service - in effect replacing and replicating what would/could be done on premises with a soft switch or PBX.

Probably more for oriented for business (or home office) use rather than a simple ‘resi’ voip line.

In reply to a post by kommando:

When getting rid of my landline I setup the planned 4G replacement first and set up a free geographic number with Sipgate for testing. After a month of successful testing I migrated the old landline number to Sipgate for £20 which also ceased the line and ADSL automatically. To do the same you would order the FTTP as a fresh install and keep the FTTC, then, once you are happy with whoever you used for VOIP, transfer the landline number to the VOIP provider and your FTTC and landline will cease with the FTTP still in place. FTTP and old landline number will be with 2 providers and no longer linked so you can transfer one without affecting the other.

Yes a solid solution with almost zero prospect of loosing your landline number.

This thread has sort of focused on when you already have a FTTP service with Digital Voice where the ISP is BT. Along comes an offer from another ISP who you would like to subscribed to and port your number to a hosted VoIP service of another provider. You can't continue to use the BT router and therefore a new router is required.

Thoughts of how such a bullet proof migration can be organised are welcomed.
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In reply to a post by Pheasant:

Yes that’s effectively a “fully hosted” service - in effect replacing and replicating what would/could be done on premises with a soft switch or PBX.

Probably more for oriented for business (or home office) use rather than a simple ‘resi’ voip line.

So many have found that working from home is best suited for them and effectively need something more than a simple VoIP service that replaces their landline. Usually a dedicate outhouse is used kitted out equivalent to an office environment. Enter into the equation communication between the two buildings and a VoIP doorbell that can be answered either in the house or outbuilding, then VoIP becomes the right solution.

Moving your landline connection from the master socket to a port on the router just doesn't cut it for this ever increasing number of people.

In reply to a post by trolleybus:

This thread has sort of focused on when you already have a FTTP service with Digital Voice where the ISP is BT. Along comes an offer from another ISP who you would like to subscribed to and port your number to a hosted VoIP service of another provider. You can't continue to use the BT router and therefore a new router is required.

Thoughts of how such a bullet proof migration can be organised are welcomed.
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Once on BT FTTP with Digital voice then the issue is there is no way to find out the VOIP settings, as BT keep them hidden, until you have moved to the new ISP and your new ISP gives you the VOIP settings for their router. Exactly why I got my old landline ported to Sipgate. after getting 4G working.

So the safe way would be to get a second FTTP line up and running with a non ISP VOIP service before then porting your old FTTP number to a VOIP provider. This would then cease your old FTTP. Cost would be the port plus one months FTTP and a new FTTP install charge. This assumes your first FTTP line is beyond minimum term. But you would end up with a 4 port ONT.

In reply to a post by kommando:

This assumes your first FTTP line is beyond minimum term. But you would end up with a 4 port ONT.

Have they started deploying the new 4-port ONTs yet? You might end up with a second hole in the wall, a second cable to the CBT and a second ONT.

Seems a pretty extreme way to port a voice line.

It's because the FTTP service and the voice service (on copper) are part of the same package bundle. Otherwise migrating the voice would be straightforward.

If the OP is within contract, I'd suggest they use the SH2 until the contract ends. Of course, that just kicks the issue into the long grass.

Once they're out of contract: one option would be to port the phone number to VOIP just before they go away on holiday, which will probably trigger FTTP cease. As soon as the number has moved (which you can test remotely by using a SIP client), place an order for new FTTP service. With a bit of luck it should be online by the time they get back.

They may have to time their holiday carefully, to avoid paying out-of-contract prices to BT for an extended period of time.

Thanks for all the feedback.

If I do go with BT then its useful to know I have another option for VOIP rather than DV (I have also found that call charges are 20p/min or a monthly package at a minimum of £7/month which seems unbelievable given its VOIP.

I am also aware they do Data Only packages but these seem to be more expensive than taking DV, so I would just get it with a random new number and use my existing 'ported' number with a third party VOIP provider

I make no outgoing calls on my landline, I only keep the number because the NHS still use it contact me despite numerous updates giving them my mobile number. So its with Sipgate on the basic plan, no charge for incoming or monthly fees. I bought £10 credit 3 years ago and I am now down to £9.84. As I am on 4G then the router gives me free calls as well as my mobile so no need to use landline.