A PSTN switch off question again - sorry!

[#1]

My mother-in-law is elderly, partially sighted, but still lives independently and uses a big button BT analogue phone on her landline - which also has TrueCall technology built in which blocks the scammers. She has a mobile but really struggles with it now, so I wouldn't want to change anything about this setup - but we are starting to think about the analogue PSTN shut off and what our options are given PN aren't offering any VoIP/ATA solution.

We have cheap broadband on the landline too (Unlimited Broadband) - but that tends to be used more by us when visiting to help her out with anything that needs to be done online. i.e. it is the landline that is WAY more important than the internet which is a principle the industry seems to be struggling to understand. 

I'd like to just move to another provider and be able to plug her old phone into an ATA port on the new router and it to just work out the box, and not have any messing about with separate VoIP providers and ATAs, and I'm OK with paying a bit more for the privilage in her case to keep things simple (one butt to kick and all that!) and any downtime to a minimum.  But who offers such services?

I was thinking BT's retail offering does from what I can tell, but they are busy shifting retail customers to EE by the look, and although EE look like they have a digital VoIP offering, it doesn't appear to cater for legacy analogue phones on their routers as far as I can tell. 

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks. 

[#2]

@YorkshireMidge I was thinking BT's retail offering does from what I can tell, but they are busy shifting retail customers to EE by the look,

Correct

and although EE look like they have a digital VoIP offering, it doesn't appear to cater for legacy analogue phones on their routers as far as I can tell. 

I believe the EE Smart Hub does support connecting an existing phone. This https://ee.co.uk/help/home-phone/getting-started/set-up-digital-home-phone#article-heading-2 would appear to confirm.

You are aware that voip does not operate in a power failure situation ? Make sure that you m-i-l is registered as vulnerable with whichever ISP you choose and that they can supply battery backup.

Zen https://www.zen.co.uk/also supply a digital voip solution where you can plug an existing analogue phone into their supplied router.

[#3]

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@MisterW wrote:

@YorkshireMidge I was thinking BT's retail offering does from what I can tell, but they are busy shifting retail customers to EE by the look,

I believe the EE Smart Hub does support connecting an existing phone.

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I have recently helped a friend, a BT customer who has recently been moved to their digital phone service. They were actually sent an EE branded hub into which they could plug their analogue phone.

They were also supplied free of charge (on request) an ATA adapter so that the analogue phone could be plugged in to a remote mains socket. The adapter connects wirelessly with the hub.

As an aside, I assume that the link between hub and remote adapter uses DECT wireless band for the link as it works fine with the Hub WiFi switched off.

If comparing the relative cost of BT/EE v Zen don't forget to factor in the yearly in contract £3+cpi increase levied by BT/EE and the cost of calls packages.

[#4]

@YorkshireMidge Most importantly, as @MisterW said "Make sure that you m-i-l is registered as vulnerable" with the current provider.

There are (as yet far from totally clear) provisions that telephone suppliers will be obliged to make to support such people during this transition, possibly even including retaining individual landlines. So, make sure she's on the list ASAP!

[#5]

@YorkshireMidge 

Is your m-i-l registered with PN as a vunerable person? If not it can be done through her members page.

If internet really doesn't matter then I believe you can get phone only lines - though still VOIP. It might be worth a look.

Brian

[#6]

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@MisterW wrote:

Zen https://www.zen.co.uk/also supply a digital voip solution where you can plug an existing analogue phone into their supplied router.

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I migrated to Zen at the end of my contract n June last year when it became apparent that Plusnet weren't going to offer a VOIP service.

No separate VOIP provider, no hassle, no regrets. A very smooth transition and excellent customer service.

[#7]

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@YorkshireMidge wrote:

...I'd like to just move to another provider and be able to plug her old phone into an ATA port on the new router and it to just work out the box, and not have any messing about with separate VoIP providers and ATAs, and I'm OK with paying a bit more for the privilage in her case to keep things simple (one butt to kick and all that!) and any downtime to a minimum.  But who offers such services?

I believe most of the 'big mainstream' broadband providers also offer a VOIP ('digital') phone service - sadly, Plusnet is one notable exception.

Personally, I would suggest considering Sky broadband - I've switched back and forth between Plusnet/Sky over the years - no major difference in service - both usually competitively priced (but you always have to be wary of end of contract price hikes/reconrtacting, in either case).

Sometimes you may even find a 'gift card' switching bonus if you get timing right/lucky (especially around the 'Black Friday' time of year - best price discounts/bonuses, towards the end of November, if not too long to wait(?)).

Best Broadband Price Comparison | Broadband Genie - It is Genius!

[#8]

Thanks everyone - some really good info and ideas in all your replies. I'll research your suggestions further and make a decision in due course of who to move to. 

On genuine emergencies and power outages, I think we're probably OK.  MiL's mobile is a Doro so it has an ICE button on the back of it and I'm confident she could use that even though she struggles with the mobile itself.   It's an over 55s development she lives in and it has a  combination telecare / door intercom system. This is all centrally run by the management company (i.e. nothing to do with her landline) and has recently been completely replaced with a digital system - though it does make me wonder what sort of battery backup is on that within the premises, and I'll check. I've updated the PN account with her status too. 

Cheers all. 

[#9]

@YorkshireMidge 

You have until the end of next year to sort things out unless PN pull the plug on their phone services earlier. You can renew wiith PN on an "as is" basis if the contract ends before this. You just phone PN. Note that mobile phone masts are only as good as their power backup during an extended power cut.

I found some information on phone only lines. Unfortuately as OR may only just be launching this product I can't find any providers.

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/03/openreach-to-pilot-alternative-uk-analogue-phone-line-...

https://d2haref.openreach.co.uk/cpportal/products/copper/sotap

I'm not sure about phone usage but if you m-i-l doesn't need internet then BT's "social" tariff might be ideal. I believe you need to go through PN to transfer to BT without plenalty if before the end of contract. They may also do "SOTAP" lines.

If you're registered with PN on the account you could phone the PlusNet Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632 to see what they say about the options.

Brian

Edit : BT's social Tariff is Home Essentials. You need to be in receipt of one or more benefits to qualify. See

https://www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials

[#10]

Thanks @bmc - I hadn't thought of that so I'll check if she might qualify. 

[#11]

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@bmc wrote:

Edit : BT's social Tariff is Home Essentials. You need to be in receipt of one or more benefits to qualify. See

https://www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials

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I can recommend BT Home Essentials - I transferred my sister from ADSL Plusnet to Home Essentials. It cut her bill from ~£49pm to just £15pm, and upgraded to 40Mbps FTTC as part of the deal - which also covers all her phone calls (it used to be 700 minutes but has been changed to unlimited UK landline and mobile calls).

[#12]

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@corringham wrote:

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@bmc wrote:

Edit : BT's social Tariff is Home Essentials. You need to be in receipt of one or more benefits to qualify. See

https://www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials

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I can recommend BT Home Essentials - I transferred my sister from ADSL Plusnet to Home Essentials. It cut her bill from ~£49pm to just £15pm, and upgraded to 40Mbps FTTC as part of the deal - which also covers all her phone calls (it used to be 700 minutes but has been changed to unlimited UK landline and mobile calls).

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Looks like the pricing structure has changed since when I last looked...

https://www.bt.com/terms/home-essentials-from-10Nov-2023

...as far as I can make out, Pension Credit customers for example, would now appear to have to pay a total of £30 for both Broadband ('36Mb') and Unlimited anytime calls'.

Previously it would have been only £15 (albeit with 700 mins of calls) priced as per the current (newly added) 'No Income Plan'...

Note: Pre 10 Nov 2023 terms... https://www.bt.com/terms/home-essentials

The newer £20/£23 for broadband options are now only a modest discount compared to other regular broadband offerings (new customer deals) from providers such as Vodafone, Now, etc.