Minimal use / backup VOIP provider

SO, I am in the process of upgrading my Plusnet FTTC broadband to FTTP, which of course means I will lose my landline service.

I am 99% fine with that as I very rarely use my landline service, but I'm not sure if I am completely happy in not having it there as am emergency backup.

There have been times I have lost / forgotten my mobile somewhere and had to use my landline to get in touch with family / friends I am indeed still alive (being as I live alone).

I also have a landline number that I have provided to places such as my doctor, dentist, etc which they may try to contact me on, so I would ideally like to retain this.

Research tells me AAISP is the cheapest option. I'm perfectly happy to pay the £12-15 (Whatever it is) porting fee, plus the £1.50-ish rental fee as a "line rental".

However, I'll be making minimal (if any) outgoing calls unless it's an emergency situation.

Would AAISP mind that? As surely I'd be costing them more than they'd be making from me?

Or is there a better option?

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies!

Apart from not just staying with the same ISP for my broadband, that is exactly what i did over 3 years ago. No problem, I am an aged single householder as well, only use the VOIP for incoming calls from people who don't have my mobile number.

Someone else will probably come along and advise on the dos and don'ts of the actual Porting procedure, because I have forgotten now.

I’ve recently had the opportunity to sign up to FTTP from a G.Fast FTTC connection with TalkTalk. I’m moving the broadband to Aquiss who only provide the internet connection, so I decided to go with A&A for VoIP to retain my phone number. Process so far has been great. FTTP is due to be installed Wednesday and the phone number migration on Friday. I’ll post back on how it goes.

One word of advice don’t cancel your old account with PlusNet if you want to migrate the number. The migration will cease the service as far as I know.

I ported my landline number from BT to Voipfone 10 years ago. I use a Cisco ATA.

Unlike Voipfone, A&A will allow you to have multiple devices registered all of which should ring if there is an incoming call. It is also possible to receive calls to a landline VOIP number using the Android GS Wave app on a mobile phone.

I have a number with Andrews & Arnold barely gets used and its fine no issues.

Just ported my Dad's over to them from PlusNet that wont have much use either but saves a fortune.

In reply to a post by biggish_who:

Would AAISP mind that? As surely I'd be costing them more than they'd be making from me?

No they don't mind. I installed Virgin cable in 2019 having been previous a plusnet customer and I kept the plusnet service going until I was happy with the Virgin, then I went to AAISP and they ported my number from plusnet to VOIP. This then caused plusnet to close down both FTTC/VDSL and physical phone line. I know two others have done similar recently.

as others have said, porting your number on adsl/vdsl(fttc) lines will cease all services on that circuit. That includes your internet provided by the line.

So get the fttp installed, and once up port to aaisp and that will cease your pn account.

I have been with A&A for a couple of years now and never made any outgoing calls other than 0800. The bill every month is £1.44, no problems at all.

Thank you to all who have replied.

It sounds like this is certainly possible then, and they won't mind the 'low usage' (I'll make the odd call here and there, and they're so much cheaper than normal landline calls!).

I think AAISP is the cheapest in terms of line rental fees?

I just need to decide whether it's worth the effort. I could almost definitely get away with not having any kind of landline at all, but part of me just wants to hang on to it 'just in case'.

My understanding is when my Plusnet FTTP takes over from the FTTC, the associated phone number becomes 'ceased', at which point AA would still be able to port the number.

If I initiate the port before the FTTP, it will close my account with Plusnet entirely, and leave me with no broadband conntaction, which I definitely do not want!

Get the FTTP installed then port to A+A.

I only make a few calls and it's no problem for them. The important thing is their customer service which is exemplary.