FTTP build date and switch off

Im currently on ADSL and found a document that lists all exchanges and the planned FTTP rollout. My exchange has

Build Delivery Phase 21/22 – December 2026

Quite a broad range. But assuming its after 2025, how will that work with the analog switch off in 2025? Will i have to order either the single ADSL/FTTC offering until FTTP comes available?

So the first thing to say is that even though your exchange area is earmarked for FTTP enablement by that date, it does not automatically mean that each and every property will have access to FTTP, at least not necessarily by that date

Secondly come the withdrawl of PSTN/WLR at the end of 2025 (if Openreach keep to timescales), then in simple terms it means that Openreach are getting out of the voice business. There will no longer be dial-tone on any copper pair / from the master socket. Voice services will be delivered using IP by the nominated communications provider (rather than Openreach). Any analogue phones will need to be connected to an ATA or the analogue voice port on a capable router.

If you still had no FTTP at the property, then your ADSL service would theoretically still have the data access on the line from the exchange, but no dial-tone on the line. The ADSL of today will (eventually) become a product called SOTAP. To keep using an old analogue phone, as said, the phone would need to be plugged into an ATA that was connected to the ethernet side of the ADSL modem/router or into an analogue voice port on the same. No voice service directly any more from the master socket. The data service over copper remains as is (unless you have FTTP there, and are affected by an FTTP stop sell)

Thanks

So would a user have to do anything to move onto SOTAP/SOGEA if FTTP wasnt available after 2025? For example would their line just naturally migrate to these offerings and then its up to the user if they want a phone connected via voip?

Edited by bobble_bob (Tue 17-Aug-21 22:56:47)

I’d expect your comms provider at the time would manage the migration process together with Openreach. I believe SOTAP hasn’t even been finalised yet as a product as they are still conducting SOGEA migration trials in Mildenhall.

I know its 4yrs away (sooner for some) but OR need to make it more clear whats happening. Virtually every one i speak to has no idea about the 2025 switch off

Edited by bobble_bob (Wed 18-Aug-21 08:23:31)

For most people it will make next to no difference - they will potentially just unplug their phone from one socket and plug it into another. They potentially wouldn't really have any idea what has changed - most people don't know how their phone line works now and wouldn't know when the changes come in.

The fact there are still trials underway means they are still deciding the best way forwards. Until these are complete there is little point in doing much advertising and it isn't going to be as big an impact as something like the digital move for TV.

There are big implications for people with alarm pulls and/or fall detectors.

Not really, it’s just having a router and plugging the telephone/alarm etc into that.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Not really, it’s just having a router and plugging the telephone/alarm etc into that.

I'm assuming when you say alarms your talking about auto diallers not something like Redcare?

And a lot of alarms or alerting systems are moving to IP now. The providers of care alarms and alerts will just update their units as the need arises or on failures.

In reply to a post by MHC:

And a lot of alarms or alerting systems are moving to IP now. The providers of care alarms and alerts will just update their units as the need arises or on failures.

I think that answers my Redcare question

Redcare are already moving to various options and have units capable of working on different IP and VoIP services

A three year old comment from Redcare - it has moved on and products are there now.

https://www.redcare.bt.com/news-and-events/news/digi...

In reply to a post by pluralist:

There are big implications for people with alarm pulls and/or fall detectors.

It’s the stuff that’s been out of maintenance contracts for years, partially forgotten stuff that has fallen off some property managers radar like a backup lift phone system or the like….

You may recall, just over twenty years ago we had something called Y2K, when the modern world was going to crash to a close on the strike of midnight, or some such tosh 🤣 (admission I may have worked on the odd Y2K programme or three)

Good to know, I wasn't aware it had changed as I moved away from Redcare at home 14 years ago.

Who’s the cheesy dude in that picture ? 😳

It is not Albert Ring!

Not in a power cut. Which is when falls are more likely.

In reply to a post by MHC:

A three year old comment from Redcare - it has moved on and products are there now.

https://www.redcare.bt.com/news-and-events/news/digi...

More than three years, as he says the testing facility will open in spring 2018.

He also says:

What is happening about the copper - is it being removed?

No. Digital phone services will be carried on a mix of fibre and copper networks.

Well he's right about how things were in 2017, but not right about how they will be in 2022 with the hugely accelerated of FTTP rollout by Openreach.

This one of his FAQs is interesting as well:

The Classic & GSM products are reliant on the physical copper infrastructure, and not the PSTN network. This means they use the copper link from customer premises to the exchange rather than the type of network BT runs over it (be that PSTN or IP).

I wonder if that means Redcare copper circuits do have exchange-supplied power? (Or at least will retain it once PSTN is removed).

Still doesn't answer the FTTP question. And what about the reduction in market share with the considerable expansion of altnets? I wonder if they/BT will make it available on them? I see they already advertise mobile network connectivity. Independent of the customer mobile network(s).

Think classis Redcare used the metallic path as an alarm circuit only, there was no power from the Redcare equipment .
When ADSL 1st came out it wasn't available on lines with Redcare. Only later did it become available due to a change in the exchange jumpering schedule.

Yes, I remember now when I got Redcare in my office it needed a new line. I can't remember if I had the original 512kbps ADSL or my earlier ISDN2. I think the latter.