Losing landline question

[#1]

We can opt for the fibre package without landline so a considerable saving for us.  However we are vulnerable and at present we have an extension phone in each room in case of an emergency.  We do not carry our mobiles around with us when at home.  How could we get around this issue?

Also two days ago we lost our broadband completely for a few hours and could not connect.  Is there anyway around this in case of an emergency?  We are in a rural area so need to travel about 1/2 mile for good mobile phone reception.

[#2]

@Surfer 

Are you registered with PlusNet as "vunerable"?

What is the mobile signal like?

Any chance of FTTP in the near future? What does the following say?

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

If you can post a screen image of the results (including the narrative below the results window that wouldbe a help). Remember to hide personal details.

Brian

[#3]

No idea if we have registered with Plusnet as vulnerable and unsure how to check. 

Although unsure about the gobley [-Censored-] below the link states;

FTTP is not available.  The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme.  As a WLR withdrawal exchange, product restrictions apply.  SOADSL is not restricted at the exchange.  For all ADSL and WBC Fibre to the Cabinet (VDSL or G.fast) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.  For all SOADSL services,the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.  Actual speeds experienced by end users and quoted by CPs will be lower due to a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.

If you decide to place an order for a WBC fibre product, an appointment may be required for an engineer to visit the end user's premises to supply the service.  In order to be eligible for handback, downstream speed should be less than Downstream Handback Threshold values.

We already have fibre to the box down the road and have had fibre for quite awhile.  Still unsure about the phones around the home if we ditch the landline?

[#4]

@Surfer 

I just noticed you have poor mobile coverage.

There is little saving in losing the landline - the main cost is the line itself which needs to be maintained for internet. Any saving will be in the change of contract relecting your new service.

Without a phone line you would need to move to a VOIP service for a phone service. As you've already noticed, if the internet goes down then VOIP wouldn't work. There is also power cuts to contend with.

At the moment you may have to stick with the landline. You could phone the PlusNet Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632 and see what they say.

Brian

Edit : Just seen your latest post.

Login into your Members page and check your status. If no sign of being registered there is a link under Manage my Account (I think). Or ask COTs to check.

Internal extensions can be made to work (I think) with a bit of effort but not entirely sure as the copper line would still be active.

FTTP is better for VOIP as it's more reslient and copes with power cuts better (FTTC depends on the battery in the Cabinet).

Note that in a victory for the marketing people over common sense Fibre refers to FTTC (fibre optic to the cabinet then copper to your house) while FTTP is Full Fibre with a fibre coptic cable all the way to your house.

[#5]

Internal extensions can be made to work (I think) with a bit of effort but not entirely sure as the copper line would still be active.

They can, its called voice re-injection , this link https://support.aa.net.uk/VoIP_How_to:_Voice_reinjection explains it

[#6]

Does Plus.net offer VOIP and if so at what cost?

[#7]

No they don't - you need to find your own VoIP provider.

[#8]

@MisterW 

Thanks. I knew it was possible with Full Fibre where you basically disconnect the old incoming cable from the Master Socket and then plug a phone lead from the ATA.

@Surfer 

You could put your Post Code into the following and see if OR have any plans for your property regarding Full Fibre. I wouldn't hold out much hope though.

www.openreach.co.uk 

PN will happily transfer you FOC to BT / EE for a combined FTTC / VOIP service but I gather they are not the cheapest. As for independent VOIP providers I normally suggest A&A but it helps if you have good mobile coeverage. They don't offer Call Plans. They do have good FAQ's on VOIP.

https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/

Brian

[#9]

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@Surfer wrote:

However we are vulnerable and at present we have an extension phone in each room in case of an emergency.  We do not carry our mobiles around with us when at home.  How could we get around this issue?

Also two days ago we lost our broadband completely for a few hours and could not connect.  Is there anyway around this in case of an emergency?  We are in a rural area so need to travel about 1/2 mile for good mobile phone reception.

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If you get any mobile signal - even just enough to send a text message ... is not the easiest answer here for those emergency situations, to just slip your phones in to a pocket?

If you were to have a fall, the phone would be on your person, ready for you to alert someone (if only by text) of your need for help.  No need to worry about being able to crawl to that fixed phone, needing to be confident that just when you need help the most, you have power and there is no issue with the broadband connection.

If your need for emergency call out is substantial, then consider a smart watch linked to your mobile phone ... so long as the watch can connect to the mobile phone, you can send emergency calls from the watch.