Unable to make certain calls from my landline

[#1]

Exchange/routing foul-up, @198kHz ?

[#2]

Dear Tina, 

re: fault ref.TR000016545806

I received an automatic call today telling me that something had been done at your end to fix my problem and that, if it was fixed, I should cancel the engineer's appointment on 12/2/25.  I rang a STD number and got through successfully.  So I then rang your helpline to report that the problem was fixed - but received the unobtainable tone.  I then redialled the number I'd got through on and it, too, was now unobtainable again.  So were the next 6 numbers I tried.  Worse still, the local calls I could previously still make were now also unobtainable - except, mysteriously, one (a number I call frequently).  Thiis suggests that you did indeed fix my problem at your end for a brief moment.  Perhaps you'd try again?  There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with my line, so I'm not sure what a visit from an engineer will achieve.  However, I'd welcome a visit as per the 12/2 appointment if it will help.  It's got pretty desperate.

Best, Pat

[#3]

@pat14 I wouldn't cancel the 12/2 appointment, it appears the attempted fix caused more issues than it solved.

I think - but don't know, so don't take this as gospel - that a regular engineer won't fix this on first visit as it appears to be an internal network problem in the OR infrastructure.

[#4]

Thanks, John.  I'm certainly not going to cancel the appt.!  I just want Plusnet to try a bit harder to fix the problem in the meantime - since there was a momentary improvement followed by (as you say) a worse situation....

Pat

[#5]

It isn't a Plusnet problem, Pat, more an OpenReach one, and I doubt they will work today on such an issue - they might, but I doubt it.

[#6]

Oh God, now I'm depressed.

[#7]

Sorry, but I am just trying to be realistic here. I honestly hope they can solve this remotely in a quick fashion, but this type of problem it is unusual, to  say the least, and not one where just 'flicking a switch' will necessarily fix.

[#8]

---

@jab1 wrote:

Exchange/routing foul-up, @198kHz ?

---

I hesitate to say 'undoubtably', but I can't think of any other explanation.
My only similar experience was back in '89. A London number I called regularly suddenly returned 'no tone' immediately after my exchange's switch to digital. Every time. All other calls were fine.
BT wasted two days implying it was impossible, and meticulously checking my dial speed, break ratio, cabinet jumpering, the works!
Two weeks later, they found it was faulty strapping at a switching node in Gloucester, about 25 miles from me.
I suspect the OP's fault will be more local, and I hope it's dealt with more efficiently.

[#9]

Cheers, @198kHz - and hope so too. She just needs a clued-up engineer.

[#10]

Dear @Tina11192,

Further to my problem of being unable to call out from my phone without simply receiving the 'unobtainable' noise, I found that this afternoon I am now able to make phone calls as usual.  I assume therefore that you've managed to fix the problem at your end.  If you can assure me that this is a permanent fix you can cancel the engineer who is booked to visit me tomorrow, Wednesday 12 Feb.  

Meanwhile I'm sure that other members on this forum who have shown an interest in this case would like to know what caused the fault and what you did to fix it!   Please let them (and me) know.

Best wishes, Pat

[#11]

@pat14 Glad your problem has been resolved (hopefully) by Openreach remotely.

Unfortunately, I think it will be impossible to  cancel the engineer at such short notice - even if Tina (or another Community Team member picks this message up.

We would like to know, but OR are very, very reluctant to share such information

[#12]

Hello again John,

Firstly I'd like to thank the members of the forum - and especially you - for their help and interest in my problem.  Which I thought I was stuck with, alone.  It was heartening.

I hear you re. the engineer's visit.  I'll await his arrival - and hopefully interrogate him or her as to what was going on.  Besides the problem may be back tomorrow for all I know.  But I'll report back....

All the best,

Pat (I'm an Irish geezer by the way, and not a girl).

[#13]

Pat (I'm an Irish geezer by the way, and not a girl). - not a problem, we all have our crosses to bear. 😀

No problem at all - that is what some of us are here for. I'm getting on, but being here keeps my very ageing brain active.

[#14]

LOL, John.

I'd send an emoji but I'm not nine years old....

Pat

[#15]

Neither am I - but they do help at times 😃