BT phone line/service 'upgrade'

[Harry Bloomfield]

That's my very point. Like you, I don't see why it should increase - which is why I'm saying that I hope (for the sake of others)that it doesn't.

It's simple enough to check, you just need to type in your postcode, to a broadband fibre comparison site, to see what's on offer locally, and the cost.

I think I'm correct in suggesting, that VoIP phone calls seem to be quite a bit more expensive, than the deals you could find with a copper line. Our £3 pm deal, does include (I think) UK calls, after 6pm, but we make not use of them, we just use the free anytime, on our mobile contracts, it's so much simpler.

 

[JohnW2]

It's simple enough to check, you just need to type in your postcode, to a broadband fibre comparison site, to see what's on offer locally, and the cost.

I'm not sure what I would compare with what, but I'll have a go and see what I discover!

I think I'm correct in suggesting, that VoIP phone calls seem to be quite a bit more expensive, than the deals you could find with a copper line. Our £3 pm deal, does include (I think) UK calls, after 6pm, but we make not use of them, we just use the free anytime, on our mobile contracts, it's so much simpler.

Indeed, provided that one has a reasonable and reliable mobile signal (which we usually don't in our house, other than in the garden ). If one does have a broadband connection, WhatsApp (and probably other similar) calls are free, without any additional 'contract' costs.

 

[AndyPRK]

They are no longer selling FTTC. You would only be on it if you had an internet connection.

EE voip call costs are the same whether dialling a mobile or landline.

 

[JohnW2]

They are no longer selling FTTC. You would only be on it if you had an internet connection.

That's what I thought, which is why I said that I wasn't sure 'what I would compare with what' if I did as Harry suggested.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I'm not sure what I would compare with what, but I'll have a go and see what I discover!

The comparison sites, do the comparison calculations - you just need to review what each offers, speed, and cost.

I checked the fibre comparison sites a few times, decided I was better staying where I was, on FTTC - then a leafet came through the door, from YouFibre, making an offer which was just too good to refuse, even then, I sat on it for a few weeks, before seeking more information - when my FTTC suppliers, big increase came along.

 

[JohnW2]

The comparison sites, do the comparison calculations - you just need to review what each offers, speed, and cost.

The relevant comparison would be between the current cost of a 'copper to premises' (whether 'copper all the way' or FTTC) telephone line and the cost of FTTP for telephone service only - and, perhaps even more relevant, the cost of FTTP for telephone service only vs. cost of FTTP for broadband+phone. Would the sites provide such comparisons?

 

[pcaouolte]

they just have to plug their phone in somewhere else

landline dependent customers will get free VoIP-only broadband, and a BBU

BT have told me that I don't need to plug my phone in "somewhere else", it will continue to be plugged into the BT master socket.

BT haven't proposed to give me "free VoIP-only broadband". They have said that the copper line will continue to come into the house and I will continue to use my existing phones in the existing analog, copper BT sockets.

Any analog to digital conversion is happening in BT's equipment, not in my premises.

 

[JohnW2]

BT have told me that I don't need to plug my phone in "somewhere else", it will continue to be plugged into the BT master socket.

As I said, I had this done last week and, just as they wrote (to both you and me) would be the case, my phone continues to work fine whilst plugged into the (copper-wired) 'BT Master Socket'. As you say ...

....Any analog to digital conversion is happening in BT's equipment, not in my premises.

In passing, just a few minutes ago I experienced, for the first time, what I assume must be one of the 'exciting new features' resulting from whatever they have changed. My phone rang, and as well as displaying the caller's number, it also displayed (with good reason!!) "Nuisance?"

 

[morqthana]

It wasn't me!

 

[AndyPRK]

Yeah, I discovered this new feature when I moved to VOIP (plugged into router).

They aren't always nuissance. One was a call I was expecting.
I think it also comes up with PRIVATE

 

[ebee]

It wasn't me!

I really enjoyed that comment

 

[morqthana]

If anybody is able right now to scan, or manually type, what their letter said about the upgrade that was being done, and the continued use of their analogue phone(s) that would be good. I am right now in an online chat session with BT and they don't seem to get what I'm talking about.

 

[morqthana]

Sorry - another Q - do any of you who are still able to use your analogue phones as before, after this "upgrade", including use during power cuts, get your broadband from BT, or are you all with other providers for that but still with BT for phone landline?

 

[JohnW2]

If anybody is able right now to scan, or manually type, what their letter said about the upgrade that was being done, and the continued use of their analogue phone(s) that would be good. I am right now in an online chat session with BT and they don't seem to get what I'm talking about.

It said absolutely nothing useful, which is why I asked the question here. These are some rapidly taken (hence a bit wonky) photos taken with my phone ...

 

[JohnW2]

Sorry - another Q - do any of you who are still able to use your analogue phones as before, after this "upgrade", including use during power cuts, get your broadband from BT, or are you all with other providers for that but still with BT for phone landline?

As I've said, my analogue phone still works fine, but (as I have said an illustrated) my broadband connection comes through 'the ether', not any copper or optical fibre cable provided by anyone.