Plusnet Hub 2 ADSL no internet

[#1]

Pete - honestly, there are two options: get OR to solve the problem, which is in their network, or, the better option, switch to SoGEA and then arrange a VOIP connection for the phone.

[#2]

I have done the quiet line test and could not hear any noise.

I have had another thought. MIL used to have another line which is still wired in. Would it be easy to resurrect that and install SoGEA on it (with current Plusnet address)? Not a permanent solution but it would fix the immediate problem and allow us to migrate to voice side in our own time.

I didn't quite understand @outcast 's comment about having 1 month to migrate voice if we moved to SoGEA. Does that mean the line would keep working for a month after migration?

Cheers,

Pete

[#3]

Pete

It would be possible - maybe -  but not recommended. MIL would be paying two contracts, for no real benefit. The best option is to convert the current line to SoGEA. Yes, there would be a period (hopefully short) without a phone service, but careful planning should mean that could be a couple of days to maybe a week.

You would lose the phone service as soon as the line was converted to SoGEA, but the number is 'quarantined' and available for transfer to a VOIP supplier of your choice for 30 days after the switch is completed.

[#4]

John,

Thanks for clarifying the SoGEA process. I agree the 2 line solution is not ideal but the most important thing to MIL is her landline. She currently has separate voice and data contracts. Voice is with BT and data with Plusnet. Also not ideal but she is happy with that and we did not want to shake things up.

Cheers,

Pete

[#5]

Arrrgh - split contracts, another complication. In that case, quite honestly, I would try and arrange the switch to SoGEA  and a VOIP service as soon as possible. It may mean that there will be early termination charges on the voice side, but will avoid the issue, fairly soon, of BT converting the phone service to 'Digital Voice' - their interpretation of VOIP - which is non-standard, and which would terminate the data contract with PN.

[#6]

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@stockfast wrote:

Voice is with BT and data with Plusnet.

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Well that complicates things.  Altering the Plusnet line could potentially take down the BT service, and vice versa.

@stockfast 

A few more questions -

1. Does the MIL use Plusnet email ?
2. How many minutes of typical telephone use does your MIL use ?
3. Does CityFibre have coverage of FTTH at your MIL's address ?
4. Does this postcode search reveal any other FTTH providers in the "Notes On Connection Options" results ?

.

[#7]

@stockfast 

I asked about VDSL (FTTC) as it was showing on the Checker whereas ADSL wasn't. I didn't look at the detail.

I suspect this is one of those cases where things are going to get worse (for you!!!) before they get better,

I would agree changing to SOGEA should clear the fault as the line then is only to the FTTC Cabinet. However, that then brings up the problem a usable land line?

What type of phone does your MIL have and does she use house extensions?

Brian

[#8]

@outcast  and @bmc I don't think the OP is stupid, and I think he has a reasonable grasp of what is required for a simple solution to the problem - convert the current ADSL  service to SoGEA, and then arrange a VOIP 'phone' service.

[#9]

@jab1 

I'm just wondering whether the least disruption and home 'tech support' requirement, would be move everything to Zen ?

A preprogrammed router with a working VoIP socket arrives, plug everything in and it just works !

If MIL still uses Plusnet email, then that is a problem.

If CityFibre is available (via Zen), then that would reduce monthly costs and make the landline phone transfer easier.

Knowing the MIL's phone usage minutes, will give an indication of whether it falls within the Zen fair use / monthly limits.

.

[#10]

@outcast That would be an option, agreed. I know how it works, thanks - I am with Zen, although the phone is not used for outgoing calls.

IF M-i-L uses PN email, then that is a problem which could cause a deal of grief, but we don't know.

City Fibre does make the monthly cost lower, but would have no effect on the landline phone transfer.

Zen's call package is 1000 minutes for (IIRC) £7.00, but go over that and it is 40p/min.

[#11]

Thanks everyone for the many suggestions.

1. Does the MIL use Plusnet email ?
   Yes, it is her only email.
2. How many minutes of typical telephone use does your MIL use ?
   Not sure. Probably 200 minutes per month outgoing.
3. Does CityFibre have coverage of FTTH at your MIL's address ?
   No
4. Does this postcode search reveal any other FTTH providers in the "Notes On Connection Options" results ?
   No. Only shows FTTC

What type of phone does your MIL have and does she use house extensions?

One simple phone plugged in to master socket and a fleet of DECT phones plugged in to another extension socket.

The email thing makes life a lot harder. We were just starting to plan on how to handle moving ISPs if we needed to for the voice line when this problem got worse.

Off home now so won't be doing any more until I come back on Friday to sort out the new router.

Cheers,

Pete

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[#12]

1. Email - she needs to stay with Plusnet, in that case.

2. Check with any potential VOIP provider what they allow for 'free' or their lowest deal for  for a calls package.

Phones - in that case it just needs the base station plugging into the router via an ATA - I am assuming the other phones are merely 'slaves' and not connected to a phone socket as such.

Ignore the 'new' router - it will not solve anything.

[#13]

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@jab1 wrote:

2. Check with any potential VOIP provider what they allow for 'free' or their lowest deal for  for a calls package.

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Although, for example A&A VoIP doesn't have a calls package, but charges PAYG rates.

So for the stated 200 minutes a month to national landline numbers at A&A's PAYG rate of 1.5p/minute

would work out at only £3.00 per month for calls + £1.44 for number rental = total £4.44 inc VAT.

I bet this is massively less expensive than what BT are currently charging for landline calls !

.

[#14]

I bet this is massively less expensive than what BT are currently charging for landline calls !

Wouldn't know - I've not paid BT rates for >11 years.

[#15]

@stockfast 

Plenty of time for research then.

As stated, BT phone line and PN internet complicates matters. Touching the phone service has potential to cancel the PN service as it needs a phone line. This would cause the immediate loss of PN email (another problem).

You need to get the internet sorted before BT comes along and tries to move the phone service to their Digital Voice offering. Time has probably been bought by the fact it's a phone only account. For DV to work, it needs a BT internet account. BT may offer a choice of cancellation or moving internet to them - you're guess is as good as mine. The only thing for sure is it will happen

To keep PN email, your MIL needs to stay with PN which rules out moving to an ISP that does both phone and internet - this is the easy way to do VOIP.

A&A is great if you don't make a lot of outgoing phone calls but from the calculation posted already it may be OK for the MIL. Another added advantage is you can set up an A&A account with a new number which would keep a phone service available during the port of the port of the original phone number and allow you to ensure your MIL's phone(s) work with VOIP.

As for an ATA for use with PN I would actually consider a second hand  FritzBox 7530 or 7530AX from eBay. Just make sure it's a UK spec model. Most on sale are ex Zen Internet units so there are Help pages on their site regarding set up. You just need a factory reset first to clear Zen settings.

I have no experience of either VOIP or FritzBox but the router not only has a working phone socket but has a built in DECT base station. Potentially as cheap as buying an ATA.

As I understand things house sockets can be used for VOIP on FTTP with a bit of work. You disconnect the incoming copper cable from the Master Socket. Unless soemone says differently then this won't work if the MS is still needed for the incoming line.

Brian