Green Building Forum - Broadband and VoIP Fri, 24 Jul 2026 07:16:09 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311057#Comment_311057 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311057#Comment_311057 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:08:06 +0100 djh Posted By: WillInAberdeenhttps://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/landline-phones/future-of-landline-calls

Seems to depend on how your present ISP sees their future business shaping up.
Thanks for the link but that seems to be talking just about the move to VOIP instead of PSTN. It doesn't seem to address whether FTTP is compulsory or not at all?]]> Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311067#Comment_311067 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311067#Comment_311067 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:07:28 +0100 WillInAberdeen If you already have a broadband connection, for example to connect to the Internet, then the VoIP service will use this."



FTTP is a completely separate (hardware) change from VoIP (software). VOIP is happening this year, but probably going to be another ten years before UK is ready to turn off FTTC.

Your ISP might want to push you towards full fibre now (£££) but you can change ISP.

Full fibre is better than FTTC of course, and will come in sooner or later, so you might want to get it all sorted at once]]> Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311070#Comment_311070 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311070#Comment_311070 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:38:37 +0100 djh Posted By: WillInAberdeenFTTP is a completely separate (hardware) change from VoIP (software). VOIP is happening this year, but probably going to be another ten years before UK is ready to turn off FTTC.Thanks, yes, I do know that. Do you have a link that explains what is happening with the hardware change and what my options are? Specific rather than general waffle.]]> Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311071#Comment_311071 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311071#Comment_311071 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:49:50 +0100 borpin
FTTP is a new fibre cable to the House. Often this is free.
FTTC uses the existing Copper to a cabinet.

In either case, the 'landline' phone will have to connect to the Router for VOIP as the old direct copper phone (PSTN) is being switched off.

If you have a working duct for the existing copper connection, they should be able to use that for the fibre. As stated elsewhere, it does depend on the engineer who comes to do it.
Posted By: djhSpecific rather than general waffle.

What specifically do you need?

I had FTTP fitted last year - no cost upgrade for BT. I got rid of the 'landline' as all I ever got was spam.

I did have to have an overhead line. I ran it round the loft eaves to where I wanted it terminated and the engineer did the connection.]]> Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311073#Comment_311073 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311073#Comment_311073 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:12:19 +0100 djh Posted By: borpin
Posted By: djhSpecific rather than general waffle.

What specifically do you need?I need a link to an authoritative statement that says they can use my existing duct, so I have grounds to object to a suggestion by the engineer that they can't use it. And I need a link to an authoritative statement that says I can continue to use my existing FTTC connection next year. Pretty please.]]> Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311075#Comment_311075 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311075#Comment_311075 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:11:29 +0100 philedge
On FTTC decommissioning timescales, if they exist, youll do well to find a reliable statement. I think original timescales for decommissioning copper to the exchange have been and gone yet the lady next door to us has a copper landline and no one has even spoken to her about removing it and moving to fibre/VOIP. FTTC is so widespread it's unlikely to get superceded for a long time]]> Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311076#Comment_311076 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311076#Comment_311076 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:50:21 +0100 WillInAberdeen

Actually would have to be very specific, to their address, as no way any company could make that happen for large numbers of subscribers.]]> Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311077#Comment_311077 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311077#Comment_311077 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:27:19 +0100 philedge Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311078#Comment_311078 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311078#Comment_311078 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:41:26 +0100 djh Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311079#Comment_311079 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311079#Comment_311079 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:59:41 +0100 philedge
AIUI no one gets screwed/disconnected for any migration to fibre if they don't want it. The industry will try their best to get you to pay for the upgrade but you'll get moved to fibre for free if you don't pay for the upgrade. You'll likely have broadband speeds throttled to lower than the connection is capable of but no lower than the copper you had previously.

Openreach have a monopoly on the bulk of the country's infrastructure and they are highly regulated by Ofcom so very unlikely anyone will be screwed by policy unless they fall for the PR]]> Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311080#Comment_311080 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311080#Comment_311080 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:15:44 +0100 Rex
Nice to see that I am not the only one confused!!!

My ISP, PlusNet will discontinue the phone line, which is only copper from my house to the pole. However, EE will install fibre to the house [lus a VoIP converter for my existing phone so I can still use the copper within the house. What is the difference between a VoIP signal using copper within the house before plugging into the ONT or the same VoIP signal traveling via copper to the pole.

To add to my confusion, both PlusNet and EE are under BT ownership. Go figure?

Still have not been able to find the end of my fish wire. Now thinking of removing a section of plasterboard in the cupboard, hoping to get my arm inside and find the end (if that is where it is?) Downside is that cutting through the scrim will release a mini avalanche of Warmcel.

The main reason for my persistence is that the end of the fish rod can only be a few cms from where I want it; I just don't know here that few cms actually is.]]> Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311081#Comment_311081 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311081#Comment_311081 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:44:10 +0100 philedge
If there's an EE shop near you it might be worth calling in to see if they can explain what's what.]]> Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311088#Comment_311088 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311088#Comment_311088 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:32:14 +0100 djh Posted By: RexWhat is the difference between a VoIP signal using copper within the house before plugging into the ONT or the same VoIP signal traveling via copper to the pole.VOIP is a communications protocol. It doesn't care what physical medium it is transmitted over. And a cable carrying a VOIP signal normally plugs into your router, which then connects to the ONT (or to the socket at the end of the copper from the pole).]]> Broadband and VoIP https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311089#Comment_311089 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18453&Focus=311089#Comment_311089 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:52:21 +0100 WillInAberdeen
If you really want to retain the landline number, then there are VoIP providers starting around £1.50/month. They don't sell you internet so don't hassle you to get fibre. They will sort you a VoIP phone handset or converter box, or divert your old number to your mobile. I can't recommend any though as I went mobile-only in 2019 and haven't missed it at all!

The historical wire from the house to the pole is not 'Cat 6' quality, so will limit ability to increase internet speeds in future. You sound happy with the speed you already get.]]>