can landline be restored

[#1]

When we took out a contract for Full Fibre nearly 2 years ago we chose to have our landline disconnected. Living out in the sticks we now wish we hadn't lost our landline (mobile signal can be very dodgy).  Coming up to renewal of contract and wondering if landline can be restored -- or digital phone connected via router/HUB (?) as in Digital Voice like BT ?   

Has anyone had landline restored or tried Digital Voice or similar ?

At the moment our only way  to get round things is to use WiFi calling on our mobiles

TIA

[#2]

@dustynookps No, you cannot 'restore a PSTN connection, they are no longer available 'to order'. You need to obtain a VoIP service from another provider.

PN do not offer a VoIP service.

[#3]

@dustynookps 

As stated you can't get your landline back.

If you wish to stay with PN you'll need to find an independant VOIP provider for voice. To do so, consider what you need the line for and then look at providers. There are many out there but if you don't make many outging calls or your mobile provider allows WiFi calling then A&A are a reasonable choice. They also have a good FAQ section on VOIP.

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

Note that VOIP doesn't work during power cuts unless you have back up in place (ONT, router and any DECT phone). Also you'll get a new number, not your old one.

Brian

[#4]

Thank you both. That's what I suspected 😕. We're nearly at the end of our contract and even with the offers for upgrades, I can get exactly the same upgraded package for £3 less pm from BT as a new customer (though we've been with PN for years without incident) so I shall investigate options for Digital Voice and associated costs with BT before making a decision

[#5]

@dustynookps 

Do you use PN email at all? You lose access to it the day you leave.

Moving to an ISP who does both is the easiest way though perhaps not the cheapest. Have a look at Zen Internet - unlike BT they have a good reputation and a highly regarded router. Both companies have routers with a phone port.

Brian

[#6]

And, unlike with BT, you do not have to use use Zen as your VOIP provider, although their £6.00/month for 1000 'free' minutes is attractive - if you take it.

[#7]

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@jab1 wrote:

And, unlike with BT, you do not have to use use Zen as your VOIP provider, 

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I don't think BT make you use Zen as your VoIP provider.

Just joking  @jab1 , I think I know what you meant. 

But if, as I suspect, you meant BT make you use their proprietary Digital Voice, then that's not the case at all, unless of course you want to use the built-in ATA in their router.  There's nothing to stop you using as many third party VoIP providers as you like with BT using your own ATA or alternative device.

[#8]

@RobPN Correct, I meant that if you use the built in ATA in the BT kit, you are locked to BT 'Digital Voice', but obviously you can bypass that using the methods you suggest. However, how many 'home users' are technically aware? Looking at these forums, there are very, very many who most certainly aren't, and I suspect many of them are thinking 'what's he on about?' 😀

[#9]

@dustynookps 

Arguably the BT digital voice solution (or other ISP provided alternatives) would be the simplest solution as the "phone line" comes out of the ISP's router and the ISP is responsible for making everything work.

For the BT version at least, it is inflexible in that you must use their router for the digital voice to work.

I'm surprised that WiFi calling isn't an adequate substitute for you with a full fibre internet connection.

Is it that the hint of a mobile signal is sufficient to stop the WiFi calling working for some reason?

If you would be buying a new phone or phones then possibly getting a VoIP DECT base station (such as the Gigaset) and a seperate VoIP service would be a good way forward.

Alternatively a VoIP app on your phone and a VoIP service might meet your requirements.