Contlued use of analogue phone

[#1]

My Plusnet service is currently FTTC and my contract expires in January.

"Soon" the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) will be terminated.

What will Plusnet do so that I will be able to use my analogue phone using VOIP?

I currently have a Plusnet 2 router.

Will Plusnet supply a new compatible new router.

Or will I have to change my ISP to e.g. BT/EE?

[#2]

Plusnet are not providing digital voice Voip services.
They will offer to migrate you to BT /EE if you want to continue an integrated Voip service.
Other suppliers are available
Another option is to go with a separate Voip service and there are numerous posts on this forum on how to go down that route.

[#3]

If you transfer to another Comms Provider (inc BT/EE) you would lose the use of plusnet email service.

If the email service is important, you would be advised to stay with plusnet and setup a VoIP account to retain your landline phone number.

Andrews & Arnold seem to be a popular recommendation here https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/ 

You might be able to delay the removal of your landline service by renewing your current plan, but by the end of 2025 you may lose the service completely as it's use is being withdrawn for all but exceptional cases.

HTH

[#4]

@silvefleece 

You may be able to renew your contract on an "as is" basis by phoning PN. This buys you a bit more time to think about VOIP.

Start with how much do your use your phone. Do you have good mobile coverage to enable use of mobile for outgoing calls? Does your phone numner and  /or PN email address matter to you?

Once you know this then you have two choices if VOIP is required. First, move to a supplier like BT / EE or ZEN who do both Internet and VOIP.

Second, stay with PN but seperate your phone and internet services by going to an independant VOIP provider. You have 30 days to port your number when your phone service ceases. More work (and cost) involved upfront but may be cheper in the long run.

You may be able to use your current phone with an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA). This is required anyway to plug into the PN router.

Note that VOIP doesn't work during power cuts.

Brian

[#5]

Thanks bmc

I phoned my ISP Plusnet today and the responder Shak was a real person and not a chatbot.

He extended my contact at current cost and service for 2 years.

He also said that cut off of analog phone services for my street is unlikely to be carried out before 2027.

He also knew that I have had a Plusnet 1 router for seven years and has ordered a Plusnet 2 router to be sent to me at no cost and he claimed that Plusnet 2 had a better WIFI strength and range than the Plusnet 1.

Re my landline phone. I do not use it for outgoing calls, I use my smartphone instead.

However, some of my distant old friends do not have internet access or smartphones. So I still want to receive landline calls from them.

If there is a mains electricity cut to my house my Tesla battery takes over.

We had a short cut a few days ago and we noticed a brief flicker of our ceiling lights as the Tesla battery took over and we did not notice any supply problems. But we saw that the clocks on some household appliances had to be reset.

[#6]

@silvefleece 

I believe PSTN will be withdrawn at the end of Dec 2025. The January 2027 comes from certain exceptions given to lines where house or care alarms need to be upgraded. From Dec 2025 phone providers can apply for 3 monthly line rental contracts up until Jan 2027. That's my take on OR policy - other's have disagreed.

It's also an unknown fact as to how long PN will run their phone service before they pull the plug. My current thoguhts this will happen around the end of November 2025 to clear the decks before Christmas. But that's my speculation.

If you're happy using your moble for outgoing calls have a look at A&A. Apart from having a good FAQ on VOIP they are cheap if you don't make calls. Porting the number is £15 and then £1.44pm. One off costs to set up your phone for VOIP but there are other options with A&A.

Brian

[#7]

I'd take a look at Voipfone https://www.voipfone.co.uk/solutions/residential I've been with them years and find them reasonably priced and reiable.

[#8]

@bmc 

It's also an unknown fact as to how long PN will run their phone service before they pull the plug. My current thoughts this will happen around the end of November 2025 to clear the decks before Christmas. But that's my speculation.

Looking at the withdrawal of plusnet mobile phone service, it was carried out over an extended period starting with a stop sale March 2023. It was finally switched off this year.

I would hope the withdrawal of the landline phone service (PSTN) would follow a similar path, hopefully an announcement by at the latest end of Q2 2025 what plusnet intentions are. 

Many plusnet customers ares still renewing with landline calls, to just "plus the plug" at the end of 2025 could be very disruptive to them, plusnet and the wider Communications Providers community

So might I suggest you stop your speculation as this is how fake news starts.

[#9]

@bmc your wrote:

"So might I suggest you stop your speculation as this is how fake news starts."

Pretty please. If that was me please let me know where and what that speculation was and I will withdraw such.

[#10]

"So might I suggest you stop your speculation as this is how fake news starts."

Pretty please. If that was me please let me know where and what that speculation was and I will withdraw such.

[#11]

It was not directed at you, @silvefleece , but @bmc .

[#12]

Thanks. My error. I'll get use to how to use this forum correctly. Good news is that a Plusnet 2 router arrives today to replace my some 7 years old Plusnet 1.

[#13]

---

@Dan_the_Van wrote:

@bmc 

It's also an unknown fact as to how long PN will run their phone service before they pull the plug. My current thoughts this will happen around the end of November 2025 to clear the decks before Christmas. But that's my speculation.

Looking at the withdrawal of plusnet mobile phone service, it was carried out over an extended period starting with a stop sale March 2023. It was finally switched off this year.

I would hope the withdrawal of the landline phone service (PSTN) would follow a similar path, hopefully an announcement by at the latest end of Q2 2025 what plusnet intentions are. 

Many plusnet customers ares still renewing with landline calls, to just "plus the plug" at the end of 2025 could be very disruptive to them, plusnet and the wider Communications Providers community

So might I suggest you stop your speculation as this is how fake news starts.

---

Apart from makinf clear my post was speculation there is a very good case to be made that the PN phone service will end by December 2025.

BT Wholesale / OR are terminating WLR Line Rental Contracts at 31st December 2025. The following is from the OR website.

"As part of our ongoing All IP programme, Openreach has issued contract termination notifications to all WLR CPs with an effective date of 31 December 2025. Where assets have not been migrated and/or cancelled by 31 December 2025, BT may, at our absolute and sole discretion, allow the services and assets to remain post 31 December 2025."

My reading of various news articles is post Dec 2025 only those lines that have a good reason to continue will be allowed (for 90 day periods at a time). The general PN phone service is not a good reason (in my opinion).

I personally cannot see PN waiting to the end of of 2025 to terminate services. End of November gets the decks clear by 31st December 2025 and avoids the Chrismas period.

Brian

[#14]

@bmc 

These are Openreach announcements

https://www.openreach.co.uk/cpportal/updates/briefings/general-briefings/gen04824 

https://www.openreach.co.uk/cpportal/updates/briefings/general-briefings/gen06624

I would ignore press announcements, some press outlets do not understand BT and Openreach are detached.

The point I am making it's not for you to make any speculate announcements, speculation is not needed here, facts are, it confuses the less aware.

Clause 2.3(d) shall read as not less than 90 days’ notice. Where do you get 90 rolling contract from? 

I've worked in support all my working life, I know there is no space in the big bang switch off as your speculation suggests, everything has to be carried in a controlled manner.

What ever plusnet should be more transparent and make some sort of announcement to prevent any speculation.

[#15]

Seems pretty clear from here 

https://www.openreach.com/upgrading-the-UK-to-digital-phone-lines/for-my-home-or-business#:~:text=We....

"We'll be switching off the existing analogue network by 31st January 2027 and most people in the UK will need to have a digital phone line before then. As of September 2023, we have stopped selling analogue phone lines to new customers to help prepare for this transition."

[#16]

@Protech  @Dan_the_Van 

The following seems clear to me. It is from the OR website, not press briefings.

https://www.openreach.co.uk/cpportal/updates/briefings/general-briefings/gen06624

This link has already been posted. PN would need specific permission from OR to continue after 31st December 2025. I don't see them getting it except for specific lines that require help in migrating to Digital services.

Brian