Moving home

[#1]

Although I am with Plusnet, I'm asking this question on behalf of a close relative who is also with Plusnet.

He will be moving home at the end of next week, and I believe it is possible for Plusnet to provide a continued FTTC service for him, but they are unable to provide a home phone!

I know that there's an ongoing digital switchover, but I am confused as to where this leaves him. He thinks that he has about 12 months remaining on his contract. I can't imagine that if Plusnet cannot provide the service at the new address they will enforce his contract term.

Can someone explain in simple terms what his options are? What happens to his 50 year-old phone number which is the only way most people of his generation know to contact him!

Thanks

[#2]

@numbskull 

Your relative needs to phone PN asap to get things organised to get downtime minimised. PN have a House Moving Team. They can ask about charges then. See also https://www.plus.net/help/my-account/moving-home-or-office/

Does your relative want to move to VOIP to keep a landline - if so, they have 30 days to "port" their number if they want to keep it.

Brian

Edit : Have they checked to see if FTTP is available. Use the Address version of the following

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

[#3]

The exchange that the new address is served by has probably on stop sell. Basically no more phone lines.
Best bet is to port the number to A&A and then they can gave the number forever. Have 30 days to port a ceased number. A&A are really good at it.

[#4]

Thanks for those replies. I'm trying to sort it for him because he will have no idea about what either of you are talking about!

There is no FTTP available (it's a flat as he is downsizing). The new place is served by the same exchange as his current property.

I've just checked with TalkTalk, and they will provide a FTTC and landline service, so it appears that it's possible, albeit with another provider.

[#5]

@numbskull 

Any other supplier who provides a landline will do so over VOIP - OpenReach no longer offer copper based services. Unless they move to BT (not cheap) for internet and a digital phone service then PN early termination charges will apply.

Does he need a landline or is the mobile reception good enough to replace it? Note VOIP doesn't work during power cuts.

To move house with PN simply costs a new contract (and the loss of the landline).

Brian

[#6]

@numbskull  For the last year it has been no longer  possible to get a new analogue phone line via Openreach. You are able to keep what you have where you are for now. In addition PN do not offer a digital alternative.

Othe companies do however as you have found out, Sky BT EE and others can. It will mean the phone is plugged into the router or adapter, rather than the phone socket.

You have left it all a bit late!

[#7]

I know nothing about how VoIP services work, but on this basis, would he be able to retain PN FTTC but attach a VoIP phone to the router ethernet? The somehow have his number ported to that phone without having to take the fibre service too?

So PN for FTTC and a thrid-party providing VoIP with his old landline number?

[#8]

Would call the moving team as mentioned above.
As it is on the same exchange I cannot see an issue in moving the service as is from one address to another. But, I'm not BT or OR.

[#9]

As it is on the same exchange I cannot see an issue in moving the service as is from one address to another. But, I'm not BT or OR. 

@mystreet1 it doesnt matter whether its on the same exchange or not. There's been a nationwide PSTN stop sell since Sep last year. OR will not accept any orders that include a PSTN landline!

[#10]

@numbskull 

Have a look at the second option here 
https://community.plus.net/t5/Home-Phone/Keeping-PSTN-landline/td-p/1972217
It's worth checking with talk talk if they can provide a pstn line, I did something similar for a friend with NOW and managed to keep their existing line and number on the same exchange.
You need to act fast if your relative is moving in a week
If plusnet cannot provide a service for you at the new address my understanding is that you can leave the contract without ETC s

[#11]

Others have mentioned about moving his number to VOIP.  If he's not bothered about keeping his number, but just wants some kind of phone service, it's also possible (and usually a little cheaper on setup) to take a VOIP service with a new number, and just let the old one go.  That can usually be on the same area code to where he's using it, but doesn't have to be.  Depending on supplier you usually get given a choice of what number you go for.

[#12]

@numbskull 

It is PSTN that is being withdrawn, not the copper line itself. Internet is provided to the FTTC cabinet via fibre optic cable and then uses the existing copper line to the premise.

Before we get into VOIP does your relative need a phone line (any care alarms in play)? Are they considered to be a vunerable person and registered as such with PN? Is it worth getting yourself nonminated as a designated person with PN to speak on his behalf (although you can't make contract changes I believe)?

Brian

[#13]

No alarms or anything which depends on PSTN, nor is he vulnerable. The bottom line is that he's had the phone number for 50-odd years, and most of his generation (who haven't died off yet) have that number as the only way of contacting him. Lots of these are distant friends / relatives which it is not practical - or really possible - to update.

I'll try to call PN during my lunch break to get some info on his contract commitment. I know they won't necessairly talk to me about his account (yet), but I can ask some generic questions for someone in his position.

Thanks

[#14]

@numbskull 

Thanks for the details. The last question is what's mobile coverage like.

If mobile coverage is good then consider the following.

Asap after the PN service ends at the old address "port" the number to A&A. It costs £15 for the number port and then £1.44 a month. This keeps his number.

I have no experience of VOIP but I believe with A&A you can divert all incoming calls to an answer machine and A&A would then e-mail the details of the call. Your relative can then phone back on his mobile. A resonably cheap way of keeping hte number.

If he actually wants to receive the calls then a bit of money needs to be spent on equipment to get phones to work - mainly an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA) and perhaps power backup (for the router, the ATA and phone if required).

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

Brian

[#15]

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@Protech wrote:

@numbskull 

If plusnet cannot provide a service for you at the new address my understanding is that you can leave the contract without ETC s

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That is not my understanding.