End of The Line With BT

[imjolly]

@Trev012 

did you read the FAQ using link @licquorice posted as that privides a lot of information

there are also numerous posts on the forum from others with similar concerns which will help you

FTTP does not use the existing master socket and there is no ripping up floorboards.  existing phones can still be used but need to be connected to socket on back of hub or with DV adapter

[licquorice]

Have you actually read the FAQ I linked to? All the answers are there.

You are far more likely to lose your number by changing provider than you are by moving to DV

If you move to another provider, even if the offer an analogue service currently that will also move to a VoIP solution in the immediate future.

The position of your current master socket is entirely irrelevant in the context of moving to full fibre.

[gg30340]

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@Trev012 wrote:

Hi @JohnC2,@licquorice and @imjolly,

Many thanks for your replies. I wish I could say I am reassured by them but something in the back of my mind tells me it won't go according to plan.

It's not that I want to leave BT [After 40 continuous years] so I will call them again tomorrow. Hopefully I will get a different agent who has more knowledge and will be able to give me fuller information as to exactly what will happen, as I don't know if :- The moderator who posted above is a BT member of staff who has more knowledge than the Customer Service reps that work at the call centres.

1) My floorboards will need to be lifted to allow different cables into my house to where my existing master socket is No

2) Am I still able to use other phones [not handsets] in bedrooms upstairs Yes. It is the same as using any wireless phone or if you prefer you can get an adaptor that will plug into the phone socket that will allow you to use your present phone.

3) Can I still use my existing walkabout phone or does that stop working.  By walkabout phone I presume you mean a wireless phone and if so the answer is yes.

Is there a certain department I should be calling as the agent this morning was not very forthcoming with the information I needed to make my decision on.  There really is nothing more that can be said that has not already been covered in this thread and in other posts in the forum. The bottom line is that by 2025 you will have no choice in the matter. If you don't move to a digital phone you will not have a phone unless you go for a mobile phone.

Regards,

Trev012

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[Trev012]

Hi @imjolly ,

Thank you for your reply. I have read what @licquorice posted and found it extremely helpful [Thanks], considering I knew nothing about DV earlier this morning.

How do they install the new cable from outside that goes to the new "green" box beside my existing master socket?

Also, how would I use my existing phones upstairs? I can't have a 20 metre cable running from the back of my SH2 all the way up my stairs. [The existing cable that was installed over 35 years ago is tacked to the skirting on the stairs and has been painted so many times now it is barely seen].

Apologies for all the questions but this is beginning to stress me a tad.

Regards,

Trev012

[Trev012]

Hi @gg30340 ,

Many thanks for your info. 

I think I was typing when you had posted your info so the messages would probably have crossed paths.

Trev012

[licquorice]

First of all, as I said previously, the location of your master socket is irrelevant.

The fibre cable can enter the building anywhere that is feasible for the engineer to run it and can be discussed on the day.

That cable terminates on an optical modem (ONT) which then connects to your BT hub by either a short patch cable if co-located with the ONT, or by up to 100 metres of cat5e Ethernet cable. If the latter, you will need to provide that yourself.

Any corded phones you wish to use can either be wired back to the hub or by the magic of the DV adapters that BT will supply.

The DV adapter just plugs into any mains socket and provides a phone socket that a corded phone can be plugged into. The DV adapter connects to the hub via DECT (the technology cordless phones use). So effectively you have a portable phone socket.

[Trev012]

Thanks @licquorice .

At present, my BT cable enters at the side of the house and goes under my lounge floor to my existing master socket in my hall, where my current router sits. I have a cordless phone close to that on my sideboard and another couple of sockets upstairs with one phone attached to one of them. I  also have another phone in my living room at the back of the house but the wires for these are all run under my floor and hidden. I don't fancy up to 100m cable [If required] going all around my skirting and doors as I believe the likes of BT & Virgin Media seem to do, as that is the easiest option for them.

Trev012

[licquorice]

I'm not sure there is anything further to add. As already mentioned several times, your router doesn't have to be where it is currently sited unless you really want it to be there.

I'll leave you to decide your options.

[imjolly]

I would suggest you read through the numerous post about digital voice as I  am sure all your questions have been covered and answered already

[Trev012]

@imjolly @licquorice @gg30340 @JohnC2 

Hi guys,

Just a quick update and a big thanks for all your help & advice.

After reading and digesting your comments and following as many leads on this site that I could find, I contacted BT Retentions team yesterday and expressed my disappointment that I was possibly having to leave after 40 years due to the fact that I was told I would lose my number by the agent on Thursday.

It turns out that this is false information [As some of you advised later] and I now have it in writing that I will retain my number [See below from  BT webpage] 

Digital Voice migration

If we've written to say your home phone is moving to Digital Voice, it's because you'll be upgraded from the old copper network to a new broadband-based connection. There won't be any change to your plan or bill, and your number will remain the same.

With all that in mind and more reassurance, I went ahead and accepted a new 24 month contract for Fibre2 and unlimited call plan, which hopefully will be installed in the next few weeks.

It's supposed to be progress but if I lose power at all, the phone is then useless as I can't make any calls. Not much use if I need to contact the emergency services, especially as we get older !!

Furthermore, when I was on Fibre1 I was guaranteed a speed of 52mbps whereas now I'm on Fibre2, my guarantee is only 34mbps. Sadly, this is one step forward but three back the way !!

Anyway, I just thought I'd post this to advise you all and to thank you once again for your patience with someone who knew nothing of this upgrade beforehand.

Regards,

Trev012