FTTP - move to digital voice, no mobile signal

[Adrian-C]

We live in a very rural area of the Welsh borders, and have FTTP broadband.

BT have just informed us that we are being moved from copper voice provision to digital over fibre.

Since we have precisely zero mobile signal on any network at all, this will leave us with zero phone connection in the event of a power or broadband outage.

Is there any way that we can get BT to retain our copper phone line...?

Copper is clearly going to have to be retained in this area, since there are plenty of properties who are not connected to FTTP - or are outside of the reach of the fibre...

[imjolly]

it is openreach that is driving the move from copper lines to VOIP and the expected closure 2025

this explains

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

[Keith_Beddoe]

@Adrian-C 

Retaining the copper connection is not an option any more, as the phone equipment in the exchange is being de-commissioned. That is going to affect everyone, even on standard broadband.

BT can supply a power unit which will keep the BT Smart Hub 2 powered up, in the event of a power failure, if you are classed as vulnerable, or have a care alarm, otherwise you will have to purchase your own unit.

https://shop.bt.com/products/cyberpower-back-up-for-bt-digital-voice-service--non-fttp--091297-FV54....

Your Openreach modem may already have battery backup, but if not, then you would need to provide power to that as well.

Something like the Cyberpower BR700ELCD-UK (about £81) would seem more suitable, as you could also plug in any mains powered phones as well.

[Adrian-C]

I certainly understand the drive to move, where FTTP is available...

The issue here is that we have zero mobile signal. We have no alternative communication.

For much of the village, fibre is not available, and for some outlying properties, there is not even any viable ADSL connection due to distance from exchange (no street cabs...)

Keith - the device you link to says...
"Sorry this product is no longer available
We’re really sorry but we’ve sold out of this product and are unable to obtain more stock. In most cases this is usually because the manufacturer has discontinued the product."

[Keith_Beddoe]

@Adrian-C 

There are other mains UPS available.

The one I suggested  Cyberpower BR700ELCD-UK Available from Amazon

https://www.cyberpower.com/uk/en/product/sku/br700elcd-uk

or

Amazon Basics Line-Interactive UPS-550VA with Shutdown Software and Surge Protection, UK Outlets

[Keith_Beddoe]

@Adrian-C 

See https://community.bt.com/t5/Home-phone-including-Digital/Digital-Voice-and-power-cuts-mitigation/m-p...

[Adrian-C]

Yes, a UPS will mitigate against power cuts... but is no use against broadband outages.

Right now, we have absolutely resilient phone.

After this, the expected resilience is clearly to use a mobile...

[Andy005]

Your current phone line @Adrian-C isn't exempt from faults, so in the event of that happening you would still have to rely on a mobile or wait for the fault to be fixed.

[Adrian-C]

That is true. But copper is FAR more resilient than fibre broadband. Especially round here.

Last time it failed, it was because the fibre bundle had fallen off a pole and was lying in the road. Literally. That took the thick end of a week to get half of the village on.

Not much stops copper, no matter how crackly the actual connection...

Then there's those who live past the end of the fibre, some with absolutely no ADSL connectivity at all. There are people in this village whose only option is satellite - cellular requires a high-gain antenna on top of a 4-5 metre tall mast.

BT have come back to me via other channels to confirm their utter indifference, and their unwillingness to do anything.

[Andy005]

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@Adrian-Cwrote:

That is true. But copper is FAR more resilient than fibre broadband. Especially round here.

Last time it failed, it was because the fibre bundle had fallen off a pole and was lying in the road. Literally. That took the thick end of a week to get half of the village on.

Not much stops copper, no matter how crackly the actual connection...

Then there's those who live past the end of the fibre, some with absolutely no ADSL connectivity at all. There are people in this village whose only option is satellite - cellular requires a high-gain antenna on top of a 4-5 metre tall mast.

BT have come back to me via other channels to confirm their utter indifference, and their unwillingness to do anything.

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Well the human factor is always a risk, such as not fixing something correctly. In my case an Openreach engineer was trying to fix a line fault for a house around the corner, he got into a pickle, unplugged my line and went home.

I've had DV for two years and not had a problem, clearly though some areas are more prone to power outages etc, but as Ofcom have approved it it's going to happen.