new guy on the block thinking ahead to FTTP

Hi folks.
First off, I'm new here, and I can see many different fora on here that all look like they might be suitable for this question, so apologies if others think I've chosen the wrong one here.
So, I'm with PlusNet and BT are currently working very fast round here to implement FTTP and Digital Voice. I'm guessing that this means PlusNet won't be too far behind, given they are an offshoot of BT anway.
I've not used a PlusNet router for years, in fact never: when they first installed my FTTC service they sent the wrong router at first but I was able to use my Apple Time Capsule's inbuilt router to connect and that's what I did for about 10 years. Recently I upgraded to an Archer router which had more LAN ports as I have quite a substantial home network connected to many devices (e.g. control gear in the greenhouse and workshop) far too far away to pick up the WiFi (and no suitable place for a range extender between base and end location). Everything works fine. I have no concerns ...... for now. However, looking ahead, I cannot get any answers out of PlusNet about what happens when - eventually - they move me over to FTTP. Specifically, am I going to have to have their router (likely, it seems, to be a re-badged BT Smart Hub 2) connected to the incoming service, with one LAN cable out of it to my Archer router and the rest of the network switches, etc., or will I still be able to connect the incoming service directly to the Archer router as now?
To complicate things slightly, I live in a Mobile phone not-spot, so I do use the land-line a hell of a lot and will be wanting to use Digital Voice (or whatever PlusNet call it). As far as I can see I should just be able to connect an adapter to a spare LAN port and then plug in a standard telephone, rather than having to buy a new phone from PlusNet (similar, no doubt, to the BT "Digital Home Phone"), but again, PlusNet can't (or won't) tell me if this is correct.
Bottom line of what I'm trying to find out is "Will I be forced to have an extra piece of kit (PlusNet's new router) plugged in at all times in order to either get the landline 'phone to work and / or to bridge the gap between my Archer router and the incoming FTTP service?"
PlusNet seem unable to tell me and seem to think its ok to tell me to "try it when we switch over", but I want to be ready ahead of switchover so that switchover actually happens properly and doesn't leave me with phone or broadband issues and no 'rollback' option to keep things going whilst answers are found and / or kit ordered and delivered.
Any help very much appreciated

Well the first thing that struck me was your statement:

So, I'm with PlusNet and BT are currently working very fast round here to implement FTTP and Digital Voice. I'm guessing that this means PlusNet won't be too far behind, given they are an offshoot of BT anyway.

…. this is wrong, although trialled a few years back, Plusnet do not currently offer an FTTP product.

However, looking ahead, I cannot get any answers out of PlusNet about what happens when - eventually - they move me over to FTTP.

They won’t give answers because their staff aren’t trained to support the product ..


The new bit of kit required is an ONT, the fibre termination box, which will give an Ethernet connection to the router.

I would be looking to transfer my landline to an independent VOIP service to save being tied up to a particular provider.

Does your mobile not do wifi calling ?

Edited by Zarjaz (Sun 03-Apr-22 20:24:26)

Ha ha ! An excellent reply, thank you. Whilst at first this seems a rather disappointing bit of news, its actually very very easy to believe and accept and certainly makes sense to me.
I suppose the question that next arises is that - given the PSTN is scheduled for switch off in barely 3 years - at which point will PlusNet decide that they had better start providing an FTTP service ......... but that is the $64,000,000 question!
On a serious and positive note, if PlusNet are not yet getting on with the job, I don't really need to worry about getting the answers all that fast

The ‘great switch off’ is possibly the wrong nickname for it.

What’s going, is exchange based voice services. Voice services will mainly be produced by CP routers … (hence going with a separate VOIP service now is a smart idea)

And of course a VOIP service doesn't necessitate FTTP either, it could be any other broadband connection whether its ADSL, FTTC, wireless, satellite etc etc.
I suspect many smaller providers just won't provide any voice service, and just be data only.

Yes, I've heard a lot of talk about this, and in fact for my 93 year old mother, who has never had anything to do with computers and hence never had any form of Internet provision, I need to think about whether to get her to switch providers as she used to be with Post Office Telehones, who closed down their 'phone and broadband service last year leaving her with Shell who bought up the customer base. Mum is not only reliant on the landline (having no mobile either) but more importantly has healthcare apparatus which relies upon a standard 'phone line. I've been contemplating whether to switch her to BT as they have pledged to provide suiatble backup equipment for people with healthcare equipment and so on.

I'm half tempted to consider moving myself to BT. Currently I've had about 17 years of PlusNet with zero issues or faults of any kind and paid a fraction of what I'd have paid BT by virtue of using PlusNet's "line renatl saver" scheme, but they are ending that as of this month so I'm now starting to wonder if just going to BT might be easier all round

The more I think about it the more this seems like such a sensible idea. Any recommended VoIP providers ?

If you stay with PlusNet and FTTP is launched where you are, PlusNet will allow you to migrate to BT without penalty.

just an FYI when I spoke to plusnet at the end of feb the rep said they're currently in the final stages of FTTP testing and it should be launching in may or june

In reply to a post by NBK:

just an FYI when I spoke to plusnet at the end of feb the rep said they're currently in the final stages of FTTP testing and it should be launching in may or june

That'll be May or June 2025 then.