Telephone line switch off ?

[Anonymous]

Hi thanks for showing me your link you found on the net. 

If I'm honest, I really don't like the idea of this project. It's o.k if it's for those that want it, but the idea we all have to have routers plugged in to just to receive a phone call means many phone calls will be missed. Electricity prices are already going up as it is.

I hope they ditch this idea. I'm don't even think my telephone line is adaquate for long term internet use, as it is 1970's aluminium and living quite isolated in the country it is not a simple line to change, as it runs underground. The idea I would have to use it to make a phone call using its internet connection fills me with dread!

[Anonymous]

My telephone line doesn't work with computers - the internet is only available on compatible phone lines.

Not everybody gets adaquate VDSL. I think you will be surprised.

Telephone lines, like mine,  need to be changed for those that sign up to the internet, as these lines ARE NOT adaquate for internet use. Please remember we don't all have compatible phone lines for internet use.

[Bob1001]

@Anonymous  It depends on how your computer is connected at present, the easiest way if it is a desktop without WIFI is to get a WiFi USB dongle and connect the PC by WiFi.

[Anonymous]

Well if it is really going to happen then I'll look out for my free BT router in the post then!

😄

[Bob1001]

@Anonymous  Yes they supply the smarthub 2 if you don't already have one, the 2 is the only BT hub that works with Digital Voice.

[wkirkman]

Just a quick note on your phone line. I do know someone who has an aluminium phone line and he has heck of an issue with it, so I know that it may not be terribly great.

But saying that, as others have said, VoIP uses very little. A call using a codec called G.729 is somewhere in the region of 36kbps and even a G.711 call, though roughly 80kbps (this is from memory, so if wrong, sorry, but they are very small amounts comparatively). Even if you only got 300kbps download or upload, which is less that half 1Mbps, you would be fine. Considering the person I know out in the sticks with a Al line runs at 4Mbps.

However, if your line did need changing, and your local Exchange is switching PSTN off, I am not sure you would get too much of a say in it as the line up until and including the demarcation point (usually the Master Socket NTE) is owned by Openreach. And if they wanted to change it, for you or as a general overhaul of known network weaknesses, they would.

When the time comes you could always opt to not have a landline, but it is the regulation currently that as the PSTN is going down, all who have a landline and want a landline will be provided with VoIP solution.

Who knows? Not everything goes to plan and maybe some will be left with copper (or aluminium) lines for many decades to come when the realise they can’t give VoIP to everyone… but certainly that is the nationwide change happening. Less of a project and more of a forced upgrade, as you said, much like the turning off of terrestrial TV.

I do have DV and I’m pleased with it. Still on FTTC so welcoming in FTTP when it arrives and know I won’t have to worry about the phone as it’s already done.

[jac_95]

@Anonymous 

Out of interest what does https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/ say for your line or address?

Those with no internet today but a voice service, BT Consumer have stated they will be contacted from late 2023 and looking at how to migrate you onto their BT Digital Voice Service. BT Consumer along with other providers are looking at a range of different solutions including Hybrid handsets that connect to the mobile network to enable the deliver of their VoIP service. You also have the continued rollout of Full Fibre across the UK.

There are steps on how to prepare for these changes at https://landlinesgo.digital/

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your reply,  it is very informative.

As I understand it, BT are going to give out free routers to every single BT customer, whether they have signed up or not, when telephone lines are 'switched off' in 2025.

It don't think it will be as simple as that!

You can't expect to plug in a router and expect the internet, as some older phone lines don't work with routers/internet and will need to be changed. I had my phone line checked and they said it wasn't suitable for internet use. That is why I have reservations.

Would it not be easier to give these customers a fibre optic line instead, as many aren't going to want the phone line changed. I know from experience that I have seen resistance from people  who don't want their lines changed. (and good reason, if there is nothing wrong with them otherwise). It's like loosing an old friend!

I don't want a router plugged in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I will miss phone calls.

And is this 1 router per household, or 1 router for every telephone line socket?

I know there will be resistance to this project.

I can't comment further on my phone line. I will wait more nearer the time. I might be proved wrong, and the router might work perfectly well for phone calls with its 'internet connection' but I wouldn't like to put money on it!

Fibre optics are the way forward - now if we could just all have one of those please .....! 😂

[licquorice]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks for your reply,  it is very informative.

As I understand it, BT are going to give out free routers to every single BT customer, whether they have signed up or not, when telephone lines are 'switched off' in 2025.

It don't think it will be as simple as that!

What do you think is complicated about it?

You can't expect to plug in a router and expect the internet, as some older phone lines don't work with routers/internet and will need to be changed. I had my phone line checked and they said it wasn't suitable for internet use. That is why I have reservations.

As has been explained more than once, the bandwidth required for telephony is absolutely minimal.

If you supply a screenshot from the dsl checker https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL we can see what bandwidth is available to you.

Would it not be easier to give these customers a fibre optic line instead, as many aren't going to want the phone line changed. I know from experience that I have seen resistance from people  who don't want their lines changed. (and good reason, if there is nothing wrong with them otherwise). It's like loosing an old friend!

That sentence doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

I don't want a router plugged in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I will miss phone calls.

Why not? Yet you want fibre!!

And is this 1 router per household, or 1 router for every telephone line socket?

1 per household, assuming you only have one phone line.

I know there will be resistance to this project.

There can be as much resistance as you like, its going to happen just as the analogue TV switch off happened.

I can't comment further on my phone line. I will wait more nearer the time. I might be proved wrong, and the router might work perfectly well for phone calls with its 'internet connection' but I wouldn't like to put money on it!

You most likely will be proved wrong.

Fibre optics are the way forward - now if we could just all have one of those please .....! 😂

That will probably also happen eventually.

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[Anonymous]

I  notice you have sent me Broadband checker!

Are you not aware that BT Broadband is only available on compatible phone lines.

As I have pointed out my telephone line is NOT compatible with broadband and I seriously doubt would work with a router!!

What do you think is complicated about it?

My telephone line does not work with a router! The phone line would need to be changed. That is not happening!

Also read my original reply below-

You can't expect to plug in a router and expect the internet to work as some older phone lines don't work with routers/internet and will need to be changed. I had my phone line checked and they said it wasn't suitable for internet use. That is why I have reservations.

Not everybody leaves things plugged in. I would only switch on a router when using the internet, I would not leave it switched on permently. It would have to be switched off at some point, and phone calls would be missed.

I have not heard anything on the News about this project. Not many people are aware of it, there has no talk about switching off phone lines whatsoever!

Are you sure this project  is not optional? You can't always plug in a router and expect it to work! Telephone lines sometimes need to be changed. That is not something BT are prepared to do.

BT do not have the money or time to change everybody's telephone lines in the UK!