FTTC and VOIP.

[#1]

@zeichen 

Great news at last.

I was going to say the next stage is to sort out a VOIP phone but it seems you've decided to use mobile WiFi calling instead.

To move FOC with PN will probably require a new contract which would delay any move to Zen.

If you're planning to move to Zen for their VOIP service do you want to keep your current landline number? If so, you would need to set up a VOIP account in the interim to keep the number active. A&A would probably be ideal (£15 number port and £1.44 on a monthly contract) as you could set the system to go straight to VoiceMail for incoming calls and use mobile for outgoing.

Brian

[#2]

Oh dear, here I am confused again!  PN told me that they would not do anything until moving date.  I set up husband with new phone with Wi-Fi calling, but acts like an idiot and couldnt even make a phone call on it [I think it is on purpose but cannot accuse him!!] so back to hoping to use the landline.

Our present landline has not been converted to digital. I have the contract until end September for broadband and phone and I would guess that they wont transfer the phone, just the landline, The PN advisor would not answer me on that.  We hope to move in and hopefully not complete on our house sale for at least a week, so we can ferry things to the new house gradually.

We thought that this would give us a chance of transferring the broadband at least and hoped that we could set up the VOIP also. We certainly dont want to sign a new contract with PN without phone and hoped that PN would waive any early contract closure fee as they could not provide phone, even if they do not should I talk to them about transferring everything to Zen now, including broadband, phone etc. so that we then transfer within Zen for the move? I am confused because our phones have not been "digitized" and so what happens with a transfer of phones?  All very confusing again. I would like the least number of days without a landline as possible so would appreciate your thoughts on how to do it?  thanks

[#3]

@zeichen 

Sorry for causing more confusion. At least you have a bit of time to get things sorted.

The main question is do you want a VOIP "landline" for ease of use and, if do, do you want to keep your current telephone number?

You state September for your contract end - is this 2025?

Brian

[#4]

Yes, yes and yes.  Would like to keep the landline and tel no if possible [I was told that this isnt guaranteed].   Yes broadband and phone contract till  Sept 25, but will they transfer the landline in say February, knowing that they wont renew the telephone contract when it runs out?  I gather that BT has digitized landlines in the village that have BT broadband & phone, so I thought PN would, being part of BT, but perhaps as they are not servicing them after 2025 they wont bother digitizing them?? 

[#5]

@zeichen 

A "digitized" line is simply VOIP. BT have their own version of it called Digital Voice. You could set up a VOIP account now with, say A&A, and have that running along side your PN landline (with a different number).

For whatever reason PN has decided not to offer a VOIP service. They appear to be being positioned as the budget internet only part of the BT Group. Once you move to SOGEA or FTTP that's the end of your PN phone service.

The easiest way to have VOIP is to move to an ISP who does both. I'm sure there are several out there but I know both BT and Zen are simple to use as you can plug your phone into the back to the router. Note that house extensions are slightly more awkward (if you have any in the new house). A DECT phone (or two of them) that can be carried through the house might be a worthwhile option.

I may have asked before but do you use a PN e-mail address - that goes if you move ISP (even BT)?

I suspect there may be a short period of downtime with the phone when you move but it depends on the option you choose.

PN will do the house move for free if you sign a new contract. I'm not sure how much they charge if you prefer not to sign the contract. Problem with staying with PN (even for a short period) is you need to set up a VOIP account and get your phones working with it. This potentially costs money.

Another option is to sign up with a new (combined) provider for when you move. If Zen is your chosen ISP then as soon as the service goes live you should have your (VOIP) landline back with the old number. This will probably cost you early termination charges from PN. Roughly speaking 8 x monthly charge less a discount for costs saved. Only PN can give you a figure.

You could phone COTS and ask how much a house move is with no new contract and what would the ETCs be if you left at the end of January.  If Zen is your chosen supplier you could phone them and ask (confirm) they could transfer your phone line and the phone plugs into their router. Though I would have a good root around their website first to see what information is given there.

Brian