FTTP Guidance

[#1]

@oldjack 

If you want to avoid buying an ATA by using a router with a built in phone port you'll have no choice but to change.

The Dect base station will also need to be near unless you run a very long phone cable (or apparently use a FritzBox).

If or when FTTP arrives you have a bit more choice. Although it usually does the ONT doesn't need to be where the master socket is. It can be elsewhere depending on if it's possible and the installer is willing to work with you. The router is connected via an ethernet cable so can go anywhere you're willing to run said cable.

Brian

[#2]

@MisterW 

Yes, you are correct, the Fritxbox does have a DECT base but it is simpler to merely plug in the Analogue base station to the Fon port. That way you do not lose any of the functionality of your analogue phone, such as its address book. If you pair your analogue phone withe the Fritxbox DECT base, you may find your analogue phone becomes a much simpler device merely able to receive and make calls. Much of the functionality of the analogue phone is associated with its own DECT base station and this is lost if you pair the phone(s) with the DECT base in the Fritzbox. Although doing it this way would mean that the analogue phone could be sited away from the router (beyond the length of its existing phone cord or the one included in the box with the router)

[#3]

The Fritz!Box has its own address book - and a number of other functions. I've not used it in 'paired mode as I only have the analogue phones connected as only a couple of my contacts use the 'land-line', and those calls tend to be quite long, the headset I use with that phone is much more comfortable than my mobile one - which is used for all outgoing ones anyway.

[#4 · Accepted solution]

Yes it would be cheaper to change to router supplied by ZEN

My present base station is hard wired from the mk3 master socket into  the kitchen. My choices would be to relocate the base directly to the router or perhaps connect the tel skt on the router to the tel skt on the master socket .

Jack

[#5]

Thank you that’s food for thought.

Jack

[#6]

Thank you John, I do agree that the landline phone is more comfortable to use.

[#7]

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@jgb wrote:

@MisterW 

Yes, you are correct, the Fritxbox does have a DECT base but it is simpler to merely plug in the Analogue base station to the Fon port. That way you do not lose any of the functionality of your analogue phone, such as its address book. If you pair your analogue phone withe the Fritxbox DECT base, you may find your analogue phone becomes a much simpler device merely able to receive and make calls. Much of the functionality of the analogue phone is associated with its own DECT base station and this is lost if you pair the phone(s) with the DECT base in the Fritzbox. Although doing it this way would mean that the analogue phone could be sited away from the router (beyond the length of its existing phone cord or the one included in the box with the router)

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For clarity, DECT is NOT an analogue phone handset - see DECT - Wikipedia

Also if moving to Zen who supply the Frit!box router, it has a very versatile DECT base station and telephone management capability, including address book, call answering, call routing and inter-handset calling to name but a few.  Using the inbuilt DECT station removes clutter, wires and the utilisation of a power socket.

The inbuilt DECT base station can also handle call diversion if required to do so - for example divert to mobile on no answer.

[#8]

@Townman 

I apologise for my incorrect terminology. I was trying, in an incorrect way, to distinguish between an existing DECT base station and its phones (as used on POTS) and a VOIP phone.

[#9]

Hi Jack,

I am about to embark on a similar journey as you are considering.

I am going with Plusnet for FTTP and Andrews & Arnold for the cheapest available ATA based VoIP I can find. (£12 to keep your existing number, one off payment and an ongoing £1.44 per month (no included calls))

My BT master socket (and cabling to existing extensions) is close to where I will have the ATA box fitted. I have a Grandstream HT801 that I got on eBay but A&A supply one already configured I believe. According to the specs, this has enough oomph to 'power' all but the most complex of existing phones wired into a master socket.

To cut to the chase, you simply need to wire the phone port from the ATA into the back of the master socket, to replace where the old copper line came in. No other changes to existing phones required.
I have no idea about your technical abilities but this isn't too tricky.

There maybe a much easier way though, I haven't tested it but it should work... If you plug a normal 'modem' lead (BT plug one end, US RJ11 the other) into the ATA (RJ11) and the other end into the master socket (BT plug) then that should  be all that is needed.
There are a lot of 'ifs' here though and a lot will depend on your wiring. If you have a DECT base supplying all your phones, that should work fine. If you have older, standalone analogue phones they might not ring. If not, plan B...

Worth a try. If it doesn't work, just cut the BT plug off, strip a couple of inches off the sheath and put the outside wires, usually RED and WHI into the back of the master socket (A&B terminals either way round). That will definitely work.

That assumes you can get an ethernet connection for the ATA close to the master socket etc etc but there are many options and it should all be quite easy and affordable.

I agree with you though, why should you have to pay or have the hassle? My daughter had Vodafone broadband/router fitted recently, that had an analogue port on the back that was at no extra charge and she kept her old number and all existing phones just worked. Seamless. It is possible!

Hope that helps Jack.

[#10]

Just a warning to those porting their phone as they ditch the copper pair and move to FTTP. When FTTP goes live, wait until the phone connection on the copper pair goes dead, then wait a few days more. If you port too quickly, then you are effectively cancelling your line, and therefore your Internet on that line. This closes your account, which ceases your new FTTP. I've been weeks trying to sort out the fallout of this happening to me.

I suspect that the new "One touch" porting, which is effectively overnight, is undercutting the assumed timescales of the old porting system (with 14 days warning).

If you subscribe to a VOIP service (say with Andrews and Arnold), you can get a temporary 0330... number to use as a landline prior to porting your real landline.

[#11]

Good advice.
I have asked A&A to be sure I have the correct procedure planned... but it still seems a bit hit and miss to say the least.
I'm hoping to persuade the OR engineer to take away my redundant copper drop wire so I won't be sure that has been ceased at the exchange end.
So If I have 'up to 30 days' before the old number is permanently lost to the PSTN graveyard 😆, I think I will give it a good few days before I contact A&A.