PSTN Switch Off - Using existing phone equipment

[#1]

Hi All

I have searched the forums and can see a few topics on the PSTN switch off announced by BT (scheduled for 2025) but cannot find any information about how PlusNet, (BT, or any other provider for that matter) are going to help existing customers who have equipment that uses the 'old tech' and standard phone lines.  I say 'existing customers' and really mean in excess of 99% of all people who use ‘old school phones’ on copper and not VOIP devices.

I get that we need to move forward and perhaps lose some technology for a better service but also understand that not everyone can afford to ditch their phone equipment just to satisfy the growth of the ‘net, etc.  So, my question is this; are PlusNet (and other providers) going to provide, free of charge, an adapter or device that will let existing equipment users, continue to use their phone kit?

PlusNet and all other providers must realise that if they effectively remove the ‘phone’ part of the service in favour of a ‘Full Fibre’ service, then those customers will not need a ‘phone line’ (and will use a mobile service only) and will only want broadband.  With that thought I expect it to be a lot cheaper and a lot (10x plus) faster else, as I would many will be doing, I’ll move to a provider that can accommodate my needs at a much reduced cost.

Given there a lots of new providers about offering FF type services, and I expect PlusNet will offer this too, with speeds of around 600-800Mb (or more, typically up to 900Mb) for around £22-25, means that PN are going to lose a lot of revenue if they can’t provide a continuation for a ‘phone line’ service in the new FF packages and for existing customers.

It will be interesting to see what happens!

Cheers

[#2]

@Starb7 

We currently have no idea whether Plusnet will offer a landline service when the PSTN is no longer available. There have been no announcements.

Currently if you upgrade to Full Fibre with Plusnet then you lose your landline. Full Fibre from Plusnet is' broadband' only and it's up to you to port out your number and supply your own VoIP equipment. Your assumption that 99% still use a landline is. I'm afraid, wide of the mark. I think that this is a generation thing. The majority of younger folk just use their mobiles. Also, costs I fear will amortise the cost of the investment in all this new technology and will remain little different, speed for speed with the faster services costing considerably more.

Some ISPs supply a router that includes an ATA into which you can plug your old analogue ohone. Plusnet have the socket on the Hub 2 but this is because it is a rebadged BT Smarthub 2. The current Plusnet internals do not include any of the gubbins required to make it operational.

[#3]

@Baldrick1 

Just for clarification, I didn't say 99% of people still use landlines, I said 99% of people who use standard phones on copper - that is not the same.  I did also comment further down the post, that people, and this includes what I think you mean by 'I think that this is a generation thing', is that the 'older generation' will also use mobile devices in preference to landlines.

I do agree that the cost to maintain older equipment is going to be a contentious one and the only option to mitigate any expense on the providers part, is to simply remove the service, however, there is of course another area to consider and that is for those customers serviced by PN, BT and many other providers who only have and need a phone service, ie no broadband.  This of course would include your 'I think that this is a generation thing' catagorisation and of course in this case, you are correct - what is going to happen to this group I wonder?

Cheers

[#4]

The cohort which have only a voice service and no broadband are not in the Plusnet sphere of service.  Plusnet does not offer voice only services.

To date Plusnet has shown no indication of what voice services it might offer.  Where a user wants to switch to FTTP and retain a voice service, the recent tactics have been to "transfer" the user to BT retail who do offer "Digital Voice" services, which I understand are not VoIP (SIP) services as such.

What is the really interesting question for which there seems to be little clarity is what is the future / solution for voice only users who have no care / need for internet services.  The only reference I have found is here - Moving landline phones to digital technology: what you need to know - Ofcom

If you don’t have a broadband connection, your provider will supply one specifically to support the VoIP service, but you shouldn’t pay extra for your VoIP service if you don’t take up a broadband service.

Which is not overly clear!

[#5]

there is of course another area to consider and that is for those customers serviced by PN, BT and many other providers who only have and need a phone service, ie no broadband. 

Is there any supplier other than BT Retail who currently supply a phone only service ? not as far as I am aware. All the others either supply broadband only or broadband and phone.

BT retail will ( and are currently ) converting customers to Digital voice, supplying either an adaptor for a conventional phone or a digital phone. Suppliers who continue to provide a phone service with broadband will do ( and are doing ) similar. The investment to supply and support a digital voice service is however not small!. The costs of these services to the end user are similar to existing landlines , which are way more than specialist voip providers. Hence some ISP's have decided that, given the expected small percentage of customers who actually want a phone facility from them, providing digital voice may not be economic.

[#6]

There is a provision for Voice only lines (although it is VOIP). The line provided is a SOGEA connection (at least I think that's what it's called). PN do no currently offer services for this.

Brian