Will plusnet provide a voip landline service?

[#1]

They’re logistical matters to consider. One does not rip out the existing working infrastructure until the new has been installed AND fully commissioned.

I’m sure you would be grumbling if the engineers followed your advice and then found on final connection that the service does not work. You’d be faced with no FTTP, no xDSL and no PTSN service until the fault was located and rectified.

[#2]

---

@Mr_Paul wrote:

@corringham 

"but not with Plusnet"

At the moment.

That is does not mean that the option won't become available from PN closer to PSTN switch off though, does it?  🤔

Plusnet have withdrawn a lot of services - hosting, domain registration, web space, e-mail, mobile, business broadband etc, etc. While there is unofficial support for some legacy services that is unlikely to last long, and so far they have not reintroduced anything that they have previously withdrawn, so I'd suggest the odds aren't looking good.

---

I don't know how much technical work would be involved for PN to add this service and therefore how much lead time would be required for a decision?

For example, AIUI, the Plusnet Hub2's telephone socket is completely inactive? Whereas BT's similar SmartHub2 does have the feature, so the code is available and could be make an update to the PN router's firmware.

---

The hub is a relatively minor matter. VoIP is more than the customer equipment - there are servers required with peering etc. which would require big investment. As far as I can see, Plusnet don't do big investment. They could resell some other company's service (e.g. BT, EE)but then they'd have to update their billing system...

I think customers will just get an "offer" to move to EE (as with mobile).

[#3]

@corringham  - I fear that you are right - PN to vanish and customers to be pushed onto EE on much less competitive packages - BT management seem happy to lose the cheaper end of the market !!

[#4]

@Townman  - on the newer estates around our "village" the existing Openreach infrastructure is all underground  - FTTP installers have been using the old wiring routes for fibre ,with the result that all the people I've talked to who have adopted fibre , had their ADSL/FTTC disconnected first before the fibre install was complete. Most of the 35 year old ducting is apparently "congested/blocked"

[#5]

Sadly I feel you’re correct, given the past record of Plusnet feature closures!

‘The cheaper end of the market’ has served me well for many years and continues to do so . At this moment my son is working form home using the internet and I’ve got a streaming TV program on in the background, not to mention the wife and ‘Whatsapping’  and of course I’m browsing and typing this. So why would I want an expensive ISP like BT. I guess I’ll be moving to Sky in the coming months unless Plusnet get their act together…………………..

[#6]

---

@davidj66 wrote:

...Most of the 35 year old ducting is apparently "congested/blocked"

---

I've heard that a lot of ducting is full, old, and/or blocked, such that attempting to pull copper cables out seriously risks damaging fibre that shares the same ducts - particularly in areas where PIA has been used.

I'm sure there will be copper recovery where it is easy and safe, but a lot will be left for decades.

[#7]

Just to see, I logged in and had a look at what products I was offered in "review your broadband deal".

I'm not in a "fibre only" area (or an area with Openreach fibre) but the only option was "Unlimited Fibre Extra" and no option to keep the landline.

I've some months to run on the contract but it looks like I'll be another person taking my phoneline and broadband service elsewhere.

I started with Metronet in 2003, which was bought by Plusnet, which in turn was bought by BT.

While clearly Plusnet COULD offer a phone service (as BT have a Digital Voice product) the BT "positioning" of Plusnet is as a "no frills" offering of connectivity only.

It seems that those who want a "landline" phone line are being encouraged elsewhere.

My next ISP won't be BT or EE I don't think.

in the market

[#8]

@markhawkin  That sounds wrong to me, Unlimited fibre extra is the FTTC product that operates over a copper landline. Are you saying that there is no phone service offered. That is contrary to existing Plusnet policy which has for quite some time required you to have a combined Broadband and Phone service contract.  There could be a stop sell on Line Rental at your exchange but that is unlikely if there is no FTTP around. There have been posts suggesting Plusnet may be offering a SOGEA service which is a phone line for Broadband only but I don't think a customer has to accept it, a landline phone service should still be an option.

[#9]

You me and I'm sure a great many others I think are in the same boat. I rather suspect that we’ll wake up one day to find we’ve been moved or should I say ‘re-branded’ to BT. I’m surprised how many people I know who don’t consider re-negotiating or changing ISP when their contract ends – they just roll over and pay.

In my case when my contract ends my £30pcm will shoot up to £54+. I haven’t checked but a friend of mine tells me their very similar BT contract will go up to just over £70. If Plusnet/BT think I’m just going to roll over they are wrong.

[#10]

@markhawkin  Just to check this out I logged in to the Member Centre and I am offered an upgrade to  "Fibre" which is indeed FTTC with no phone service. It isn't a great offer because it's the same price as my existing "Standard Fibre" FTTC and Phone.

So things are changing and it looks like Plusnet are heading towards becoming a Broadband only supplier.

Customers are going to get very confused with  "Fibre", "Standard Fibre" and "Full Fibre" products.🙄

[#11]

I wonder if Plusnet / BT read these posts and if they do what they make of them?

Hmm’………………… probably having a good chuckle.

[#12]

---

@corringham wrote:
  

Plusnet have withdrawn a lot of services - hosting, domain registration, web space, e-mail, mobile, business broadband etc, etc. 

---

Not forgetting VoIP of course!  

They could resell some other company's service (e.g. BT, EE)but then they'd have to update their billing system...

---

They did that too when they handed the running of their VoIP service over to a company called Gradwell.

[#13]

@RealAleMadrid 

While I didn't go beyond seeing what was offered, I have the impression that there wouldn't have been a way of retaining or moving the phone service if I had progressed with the ordering process.

The absence of a phone service was presented as a cost saving "feature".

At a minimum, what is needed from Plusnet is a well documented and reliable way of moving a landline number to someone who wants to do landline services without ceasing the broadband account. 

If it comes to it, I'll accept ceasing the broadband to keep the phone number but it isn't my preferred approach.

In some ways I get BT wanting to "position" the Plusnet brand, but more openness is needed.

[#14]

---

@RealAleMadrid wrote:

There have been posts suggesting Plusnet may be offering a SOGEA service which is a phone line for Broadband only but I don't think a customer has to accept it, a landline phone service should still be an option.

---

This is more than a suggestion.  SOGEA has been available to existing users upgrading via COTS for a while.  The same is now available through the portal.

In any area where FTTP is available, that will be the preferred offer.

The SOGEA space is interesting, in that it addresses the needs of those who want naked broadband and have no interest in "land line" voice services.  Also where FTTP is not available, it offers a non-PTSN service for broadband and the option to have VoIP.

The big issues are the migration of existing numbers to a VoIP provider and who to chose as a VoIP provider.

Plusnet is offering easy migration to BT and their Digital Voice services... I'll grab my cap and leave the room!

[#15]

Many years ago, if you stopped your GPO phone service, they would leave the phone connected but remove from you the ability to make outgoing calls, you could still receive. 

All they need do is that, and allow the now 'not in contract' incoming call service to be transferred - instead they force the customers to go elsewhere.