This topic

Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

RayP — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 14:15:42 GMT

I've signed up to the Full Fibre 900 package which is being installed on Monday. Rather than use the supplied Smart Hub 2 I would prefer to keep my existing TP-Link VR2800 router which is compatible with this fibre service. The main reason is I can have split SSIDs so can control what kit is assigned to each frequency. This isn't easily possible with the SH2. Also, it's placed upstairs in a small 3 bed semi so signal strength to all the house is fine.

My question relates to the supplied Digital Phone that is part of the package. I've seen a post saying it can only be used if connected to the SH2 and not 3rd party routers such as mine.

That being the case what's the position if I prefer not to use it? I have 2-3 phones around the house that connect via the existing copper connections. I would be happy to carry on using those since calls to and from my landline are minimal anyway. I know a new box for fibre is being installed. Does the copper phone line remain or get removed?

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

Keith_Beddoe — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 14:28:09 GMT

@RayP

You can only use the SH2 for digital voice, and if you have been supplied with digital voice phones, then that means your copper landline will be disconnected, and your phone service moved over to digital voice.

You have no other option, as the analogue phone network is being closed down.

You could use your existing router as a wireless access point, and turn off the wireless on the SH2.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

RayP — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 14:30:08 GMT

Since posting that question I have found this which appears to contradict your suggestion...

https://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Fibre-broadband/Full-Fibre-from-BT-Your-questions-answered/td-p/2002509

No change to the copper line or how your current phone operates. I appreciate in time copper may be removed but not just yet perhaps.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

Keith_Beddoe — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 14:39:35 GMT

@RayP wrote:

Since posting that question I have found this which appears to contradict your suggestion...

https://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Fibre-broadband/Full-Fibre-from-BT-Your-questions-answered/td-p/2002509

No change to the copper line or how your current phone operates. I appreciate in time copper may be removed but not just yet perhaps.

That information was posted over a year ago, things have moved on since then. The closure of the PSTN network has been accelerated to ensure the full offload by 2025 at the latest.

If you have been told you are moving to digital voice, or have selected that as an option, then your copper connection will be ceased, however you can connect your existing internal phone wiring into the phone socket on the SH2.

The fact that digital voice phones are being supplied, means that you are going to be migrated over.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

RayP — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 14:43:15 GMT

But all I wanted was a faster broadband service. I never showed any interest in a digital phone.

If that FAQ is no longer valid it shouldn't show incorrect information. I'm going to screenshot it so I have a record of what BT stated prior to my upgrade. I'm going to ring BT and find out what's going on.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

Keith_Beddoe — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 14:49:31 GMT

See https://community.bt.com/t5/Home-phone-including-Digital/BT-Full-Fibre-900-Digital-Voice/td-p/2084263

Quote "(BT don't provide copper telephone lines for new Full Fibre customers) "

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

Keith_Beddoe — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 15:01:33 GMT

Some information from Openreach https://www.openreach.com/content/dam/openreach/openreach-dam-files/images/fibre-broadband/retiring-copper/Switching%20off%20copper%20locations%20list%20May%2021.pdf

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

pippincp — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 15:19:28 GMT

@RayP If you do not use your phoneline just get FTTP without digital voice. If you do and don't wish to be tied to using the BT Hub then get your own VoIP provider and port your number to them.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

RayP — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 15:26:50 GMT

The copper line will be discontinued by OpenReach. That's been confirmed by BT. The information on this page is no longer correct and needs updating.

https://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Fibre-broadband/Full-Fibre-from-BT-Your-questions-answered/td-p/2002509

Also, this Alexa digital phone will only work with the BT hub so my existing TP-Link becomes useless.

I accept that technology moves on but losing my copper line has come as a shock especially when the above link suggests it won't.

Can someone from BT please notify the author of that page that it contains erroneous information that needs correcting asap.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

RayP — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 15:33:49 GMT

@pippincp, too late to change the order now I'm afraid. And VOIP is not something I'm familiar with.

I'll go with the SH2 and digital phone. BT are sending me an adapter so my existing phones will still work with it.

In all honesty I don't make many calls from the landline number preferring my mobile. It's more of a nuisance having to integrate this stuff when all I wanted was faster broadband.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

RayP — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 15:35:18 GMT

Thanks @Keith_Beddoe , very helpful and you were right. BT info page is woefully out of date.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

Keith_Beddoe — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 15:46:05 GMT

@RayP wrote:

Thanks @Keith_Beddoe , very helpful and you were right. BT info page is woefully out of date.

Things move on faster than you think.

You may find this article of interest.

https://www.draytek.co.uk/information/blog/the-end-of-analogue-phone-lines-pt1

And also read part 2.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

pippincp — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 16:11:29 GMT

Once installed just ring up and cancel DV if you don't want it. They will most likely want the handsets back but ask for a return pack.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

RayP — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 16:16:27 GMT

@Keith_Beddoe, thanks. The end of an era really. Just like analogue TV services ended, the same applies to phones.

The upside is I rarely use the landline but a couple of older friends prefer to use it to talk to me. And if I can continue to pay my line rental up front and get the discount that will do me fine.

Having spoken earlier to a BT tech expert he assures me I can split the SSIDs on the SH2 but elsewhere I've read that a single one is needed for the disk to work properly. Thoughts? It is useful to control what kit uses 2.4 and what uses 5.0.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

RayP — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 16:18:21 GMT

@pippincp,

"Once installed just ring up and cancel DV if you don't want it. They will most likely want the handsets back but ask for a return pack."

But that would leave me without a 'landline' and I'd lose the 11 for 12 month line rental discount. I'll hang on to it for the time being.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

licquorice — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 16:19:10 GMT

@RayP wrote:

Having spoken earlier to a BT tech expert he assures me I can split the SSIDs on the SH2 but elsewhere I've read that a single one is needed for the disk to work properly. Thoughts? It is useful to control what kit uses 2.4 and what uses 5.0.

The BT tech expert is not an expert. You CANNOT split the SSIDs on the SH2.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

Keith_Beddoe — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 16:23:57 GMT

@RayP

There is no such thing as separate line rental any more, its included in the cost of the broadband, so I am not sure how line rental saver would work, you may find you can no longer add it.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

RayP — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 16:24:39 GMT

@licquorice,

"The BT tech expert is not an expert. You CANNOT split the SSIDs on the SH2."

Thanks. Why do they tell downright lies?

As long as all my 5Ghz kit links to the 5Ghz signal it should be fine. Obviously 2.4 cannot connect to 5.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

RayP — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 16:26:00 GMT

@Keith_Beddoe

"There is no such thing as separate line rental any more, its included in the cost of the broadband, so I am not sure how line rental saver would work, you may find you can no longer add it."

I'll know in a couple of weeks when the invite should arrive. If I can't then that's another falsehood told to me.

Re: Full Fibre 900 package and my existing phone line

licquorice — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 16:27:29 GMT

@RayP wrote:

Thanks. Why do they tell downright lies?

Don't think it is so much telling lies, more they are totally inept and haven't got a clue.