VoIP suppliers?

[#1]

Users shouldn't be tasked with carrying out things that the supplier has under their control.

and that's the whole point!. The voip supplier has the porting under their control, Plusnet does not have any control of the process.

[#2]

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@G6JPG-0 wrote:

Why has this thread been moved? I would have thought it was particularly relevant to Home Phone. Yes, I know it isn't "home phone via copper wires", but since that's ceasing (and especially as PlusNet aren't offering VoIP), people will be interested there.

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Description - "Home Phone Help with your Plusnet phone line and home phone services."

VoIP is neither a PN phone line or a home phone service from Plusnet. 

Whilst customers may wish it to be it isn't,  and really VoIP providers are totally unrelated to your PN service in anyway, unless there was a technical issue with your broadband connection and that still wouldn't be home phone.

[#3]

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@mechanic123 wrote:

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This is an example of the confusion stemming from the Plusnet forum admin refusing to setup a particular group home for all these issues and problems surrounding the great phone turnoff of 2025 (now put off to 2026?)

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The 'issues' are unrelated to the services provided by PN. 

They don't have and as far as anyone is aware will not provide a VoIP service, so from that point of view the options are clear - customers can move to a new provider that includes a digital voice service or go it alone and switch to a stand alone VoIP provider or not bother with a traditional geographic phone number. I suspect most will be the latter. 

Neither of these are within the remit of these boards.

[#4]

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@dvorak wrote:

Neither of these are within the remit of these boards

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I don't know if that's a general view of the Mods on here - if so why not delete all such discussion as 'off topic'? Many PN users seem concerned about the future of the Internet service and about PN's place in that.The confusion as to the appropriate board for such discussion as well as particular problems on installation or change of service could have been avoided if the boards were adjusted appropriately. This thread title is 'VoIP suppliers' - is that 'on topic'?

[#5]

@mechanic123 AS the 'Plusnet' brand of BT Consumer  Division are not offering a VoIP option, it is obvious that this subject does not come under 'Help with my Plusnet services', but as other Community members are prepared to help where possible, it is in the correct area - i.e. not a Plusnet services specific one.

[#6]

Just my ten cents worth........

Given that PlusNet are effectively "abandoning" landline users they should very definitely have some VERY CLEAR explanations of what is happening when, how they can/will help (especially those with specific needs) and what peoples options are. That should be on their web site.

In addition, assuming that they to an extent "sponsor" "supply" or support" this forum they should provide the same information here and a facility (forum section plus FAQS maybe?) for further information and support from the people here.

Furthermore they should monitor discussions here and update their own web site and FAQs here accordingly and proactively.

[#7]

Then you should be directing these suggestions to BT Consumer Division, as it is they who control the 'Plusnet' brand and the company  information which is provided.

[#8]

@HPsauce My ten cents worth too !........

Given the obvious winding down of Plusnet – one feature/service after another over quite a long period of time I don’t think there can be much doubt that BT are trying their best to move as many Plusnet customers to BT/EE as possible, sometimes in an aggressive manner if some reports are to be believed!

My ten cents worth is that once BT consider they have screwed the most they can from Plusnet that too will be gone. My guess is that rather than announce the closure of Plusnet a couple of years ago in one go they wanted to try and ‘persuade’ as many customers as possible to move to the [much] more expensive BT/EE.

I wonder if [and when] that happens Plusnet customers will be able to leave without penalty or more likely they will just be re-branded as BT on the same terms until their contracts expire. The latter seems more likely to me.

[#9]

@jab1 

But we are talking about PN customers here who are affected by a decision that Plusnet (their supplier) - albeit forced on them by the parent company BT Group  - will no longer provide a telephone service. Such customers have a contract with PN, not BT. I do not think that suggesting anyone has to direct suggestions to BT is appropriate nor do I think it unreasonable that there is a place on these forums where PN customers can voice opinions / ask questions etc. about options / methodology for having land line access beyond the end of PSTN. Maybe we need a dedicated sub-forum.

[#10]

You have to remember that these forums provide a distorted view of the PN user base. Only a small percentage of users are members of the forum and of those only a further small percentage are interested in the 'bells and whistles' like voip etc.

So its cost effective to have a 'broadband only' supplier in the BT group, and it would appear PN is being positioned as such.

So, yes, any existing customers that require voip as part of a package, can and will be offered a migration to BT/EE but that still leaves a large customer base!

[#11]

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@jgb wrote:

@jab1 

nor do I think it unreasonable that there is a place on these forums where PN customers can voice opinions / ask questions etc. about options / methodology for having land line access beyond the end of PSTN. Maybe we need a dedicated sub-forum.

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There is a place - i.e.the board on which this topic has been placed. It is not a subject which PN are really in a place to provide guidance, as said above, BT Consumer Division have identified the PN 'brand' as their bargain-basement internet only platform, so PN staff will have little, if any, official guidance to impart. However, as you should have noticed, there are a number of Community members who are willing and able to help, so the subject is still on the forum, just not under a 'Plusnet' banner, so to speak.

[#12]

@MisterW 

Yes, only a small proportion of PN users inhabit these forums. Yes only a small proportion of those are "interested in the "bells and whistles" like voip etc.".

That actually makes me uncomfortable - how many customers are only going to discover how radical a change is coming (as it may be for those that use land lines) only when the PSTN option for them is switched off. I keep seeing posts by forum users who have only become aware of the changes somewhat late in the day.

There is information out there on the web but it is far from coherent and up to date for those with limited technical nous. Plusnet have some limited information on their Offers and Upgrades page in the Members Centre but that is likely only to be visited by those at or near contract end etc. I do think that the forthcoming situation does need to be more forcefully communicated to customers and that can the only be done by their supplier Plusnet.

The idea that a migration within the group to EE/BT is the solution smacks of a mechanism by the group to try to retain customers who otherwise might go elsewwhere if they had been better informed previously.

[#13]

@jab1 

Yes I am aware that a number of forum users can and have imparted knowledge to help fellow customers. Would it not be easier for customers seeking help to be better able to find the topic and all related discussions on its own subforum within  "Everything Else". 

[#14]

Ever heard of the 'search' function, @jgb ? Sorry, I'm not being deliberately unhelpful, and I admit I expect most people who are around these days to have a little common sense/inquisitiveness, so they can find things out themselves - I know that is how I operate if something 'new' crops up for me.

As a side note, I almost 'grew up' with the electronic information flood and sometimes forget not everyone has that experience, but certainly anyone under 30 has no real excuse for ignorance. BTW, I am 69 years old.

[#15]

Yes, @jab1 I have heard of search engines and have used them on many occasions here and elsewhere with sometimes mixed results.

I am of a similar but older vintage as you and I do have some knowledge of what is coming down the track re voip etc. Whilst you and I may have that inquisitiveness, as you put it, clearly not all of Plusnet's customers who visit these forums do judging by the repetitive queries seen here, and not only about voip.

I only suggest the sub-forum idea as an aide to facilitate searching for voip information and thus to improve knowledge about this forthcoming event which will be of some significance in many customers' lives if not yours or mine. However, you clearly do not agree and so we must agree to disagree.