In message <klosoaFiarnU1@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 5 Sep 2023
15:36:57, Mark Carver <mark.carver@invalid.invalid> writes
[]
>That should ensure you retain your 'copper POTs' service until Sept

Oh - that'd be nice; I was under the impression that some providers are
stopping it early. (Maybe only at contract renewals.)

>2025.  All copper POTs services will cease in Dec 2025, so that'll take

Useful date, thanks.

>as far up to the death day as possible really.
>
>Hopefully before then the industry will have sorted out a scheme, where
>you can with ease, and without killing your broadband service, migrate
>your phone number to a proper full fat VoIP service provider (and so
>decouple for ever your broadband and phone supplier)

Can't at the moment think of anything extra I'd want from a separate
VoIP supplier, so would be happy to remain coupled. (Obviously I'll have
to decouple if PlusNet still aren't doing VoIP by then; seems a bit odd
them not doing, as - as far as I can see - they're sending out
hub/routers with the necessary hardware in them.) Well, I suppose it'd
be nice to block phishing calls, but they could block most of them now,
but obviously aren't interested in them. (How? By detecting spoofed CLI.
When I get a call from "Visa fraud department" or similar, I dial 1471
and it tells me the [faked] number that called; I then dial 1572, 1 to
block it, and it says "last call, from an unknown number, cannot be
blocked". So if 1471 detects a CLI and 1572, 1 doesn't, they should be
able to detect it. [Anyone withholding their CLI for a valid reason, it
shouldn't show up under 1471 either.] But they're not interested.)
>
>https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2023/09/ofcom-uk-urges-industry-pr
>ogress-on-phone-number-porting.html

Ah, OfCom, that famous toothless chocolate teapot. Spend much of their
time changing the law by "Statutory Instruments" that let them do so
without the tedium of involving parliament, but when it comes to even
using the few teeth they have (on telcos, broadcasters, or ...), very
unwilling to do so.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Who's General Failure & why's he reading my disk? (Stolen from another .sig)

In message <klovilFirdiU1@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 5 Sep 2023
16:25:08, John Williamson <johnwilliamson@btinternet.com> writes
>On 05/09/2023 15:16, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
>The upshot is that I managed to get my contract - which would have ended
>> in February ('24) - renewed for 2 years, i. e. to September '25 -
>> keeping exactly what I have now, i. e. broadband and anytime (up to an
>> hour) calls. (I think there's a limit on calling mobiles, but it was in
>> the thousands of hours a month, so I'm not bothered!) Not even mention
>> of having to go to VoIP, though provided I can use my same 'phones, I'm
>> not bothered about that, as long as I keep the number.
>>
>If you have a POTS line now, all you will need to do is plug the POTS
>phone into the phone port on the new router when it arrives. CLI and
>other stuff works, as do pulse dial phones with a real bell on most
>routers.
>
Yes, if the provider is providing (!) a VoIP service. It seems PlusNet
are currently planning not to (even though they're providing "routers"
with the necessary hardware in them [I have such a router as had to get
a new one from them]). If the provider doesn't implement a VoIP as a
replacement for the POTS line, having the hardware in the router won't
help.
>
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Who's General Failure & why's he reading my disk? (Stolen from another .sig)

On 05/09/2023 16:44, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
> Yes, if the provider is providing (!) a VoIP service. It seems PlusNet
> are currently planning not to (even though they're providing "routers"
> with the necessary hardware in them [I have such a router as had to
> get a new one from them]). If the provider doesn't implement a VoIP as
> a replacement for the POTS line, having the hardware in the router
> won't help.

PlusNet are the non frills arm of BT Group. Demand for 'Landline' phones
is low, and getting lower, so I don't think PlusNet will ever offer a
VoIP service.
The routers are basically the same as used for 'Full Fat' BT, so cheaper
for 'BT Group' to obtain one size fits all hardware.

On 05/09/2023 16:44, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
> In message <klovilFirdiU1@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 5 Sep 2023
> 16:25:08, John Williamson <johnwilliamson@btinternet.com> writes

>> If you have a POTS line now, all you will need to do is plug the POTS
>> phone into the phone port on the new router when it arrives. CLI and
>> other stuff works, as do pulse dial phones with a real bell on most
>> routers.
>>
> Yes, if the provider is providing (!) a VoIP service. It seems PlusNet
> are currently planning not to (even though they're providing "routers"
> with the necessary hardware in them [I have such a router as had to get
> a new one from them]). If the provider doesn't implement a VoIP as a
> replacement for the POTS line, having the hardware in the router won't
> help.
>>
I did say "if you have POTS" which Plusnet don't currently offer. As far
as Plusnet goes, if you want a virtual landline and POTS number to work
with your POTS phone, there are third party suppliers. As far as Plusnet
are concerned, it's just data.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

On 05/09/2023 18:19, John Williamson wrote:
> I did say "if you have POTS" which Plusnet don't currently offer.
They did until today. From now onwards for any new contract with Plusnet
you get no form or voice service (POTS or VoIP)

If you currently have a POTS service with Plusnet (as I do) then that
will cease in Dec 2025, or when you renew your contract (which ever
comes sooner)

From today it will be impossible to get a POTS line with any supplier
(that uses Openreach's network and infrastructure)

In message <klp71gFj9jrU2@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 5 Sep 2023
18:32:30, Mark Carver <mark.carver@invalid.invalid> writes
>On 05/09/2023 18:19, John Williamson wrote:
>> I did say "if you have POTS" which Plusnet don't currently offer.
>They did until today. From now onwards for any new contract with
>Plusnet you get no form or voice service (POTS or VoIP)
>
>If you currently have a POTS service with Plusnet (as I do) then that
>will cease in Dec 2025, or when you renew your contract (which ever
>comes sooner)

Hmm, so I was very lucky that I spoke to them (can't remember whether it
was Monday or Tuesday - I think the latter) and secured a 2 year
extension!
>
>From today it will be impossible to get a POTS line with any supplier
>(that uses Openreach's network and infrastructure)
>
>
So, assuming the industry has sorted things out by late 2025 re number
transfers, I'll have to switch to a 3rd party VoIP supplier (PlusNet
still carrying the data, but presumably that's no different from if I
took out a Netflix, Sky, or other such contract). Anyone got any idea
what VoIP companies are charging, monthly, for unlimited use?
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Better to be a free dog than a chained lion - "casandra" on MSE, 2016-6-29

Mark Carver <mark.carver@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> On 05/09/2023 18:19, John Williamson wrote:
> > I did say "if you have POTS" which Plusnet don't currently offer.
> They did until today. From now onwards for any new contract with Plusnet
> you get no form or voice service (POTS or VoIP)
>
> If you currently have a POTS service with Plusnet (as I do) then that
> will cease in Dec 2025, or when you renew your contract (which ever
> comes sooner)
>
> From today it will be impossible to get a POTS line with any supplier
> (that uses Openreach's network and infrastructure)

This is a complete dog's breakfast, in particular with the shutdown of John
Lewis Broadband (a rebrand of Plusnet). JLB contracts are ending, but
customers are discovering that switching to Plusnet shuts off their phone.

A cryptic letter was sent in July telling people to re-contract with PN
before 5 September, but not explaining why - and there was no offer that JLB
customers could leave penalty free before their contract end date.

Since JLB is ending, I think continuing with JLB on a rolling basis is not
possible either. So customers get to the end of their contract and there is
nowhere to go to keep their phone. PN's only option is for customers to
sign up to BT, at very different tariffs etc.

(of course, we here know that porting the number to VOIP is an option, but
that's another planet compared with these ISPs)

Theo

In article <XbkKWZTB2g9kFwAF@255soft.uk>, J. P. Gilliver
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> scribeth thus
>In message <5jnN2ODQ1d9kFw22@bancom.co.uk> at Mon, 4 Sep 2023 14:36:16,
>tony sayer <tony@bancom.co.uk> writes
>[]
>>We started using VoIP some 10 or more years ago using VM as the Internet
>>carrier and im more recent times dumped those RB's and went to Zen via
>>openreach copper. I still have the Landline number but it comes down the
>>mobile as a data stream Not a simple divert!
>
>(So if someone 'phones the number, what happens?)

** My mobile rings!

>>
>>We use VoIPfone fro that and yes you can configure CLI
>>
>>But these days I just use the mobile now much simpler more flexible and
>>cheaper overall:))
>>
>If you're paying a monthly mobile anyway, yes. I'm not. I live a fairly
>hermit lifestyle (don't go out much); I have broadband and anytime
>'phone for twentysomething a month from PN, and PAYG for the mobile (of
>which there's still some of the tenner I put on it when I bought it
>left).

What works for you is fine!..

--
Tony Sayer

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person.

Give him a keyboard, and he will reveal himself.

In message <uSZYaJAmTM+kFw+9@bancom.co.uk> at Wed, 6 Sep 2023 19:28:54,
tony sayer <tony@bancom.co.uk> writes
>In article <XbkKWZTB2g9kFwAF@255soft.uk>, J. P. Gilliver
><G6JPG@255soft.uk> scribeth thus
>>In message <5jnN2ODQ1d9kFw22@bancom.co.uk> at Mon, 4 Sep 2023 14:36:16,
>>tony sayer <tony@bancom.co.uk> writes
>>[]
>>>We started using VoIP some 10 or more years ago using VM as the Internet
>>>carrier and im more recent times dumped those RB's and went to Zen via
>>>openreach copper. I still have the Landline number but it comes down the
>>>mobile as a data stream Not a simple divert!
>>
>>(So if someone 'phones the number, what happens?)
>
>** My mobile rings!
>
Ah. I was wondering what you meant by "as a data stream Not a simple
divert". Obviously _everything_ that comes to a mobile these days is
data, but it sounds like to a _practical_ effect your calls _do_ come as
a divert. (I take it you have no way of making _outgoing_ calls that
appear to come from that number.)
>>>
>>>We use VoIPfone fro that and yes you can configure CLI
>>>
>>>But these days I just use the mobile now much simpler more flexible and
>>>cheaper overall:))
>>>
>>If you're paying a monthly mobile anyway, yes. I'm not. I live a fairly
>>hermit lifestyle (don't go out much); I have broadband and anytime
>>'phone for twentysomething a month from PN, and PAYG for the mobile (of
>>which there's still some of the tenner I put on it when I bought it
>>left).
>
>What works for you is fine!..
>
(-:
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Another lively meeting of thr 1922 Committee - the secret gathering of BBC
presenters that gets its name from the fact that no one is sober after
twenty-past seven. - Eddie Mair, RT 16-22 April 2011

In article <iB7ngiYz9Y+kFw$G@255soft.uk>, J. P. Gilliver
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> scribeth thus
>In message <uSZYaJAmTM+kFw+9@bancom.co.uk> at Wed, 6 Sep 2023 19:28:54,
>tony sayer <tony@bancom.co.uk> writes
>>In article <XbkKWZTB2g9kFwAF@255soft.uk>, J. P. Gilliver
>><G6JPG@255soft.uk> scribeth thus
>>>In message <5jnN2ODQ1d9kFw22@bancom.co.uk> at Mon, 4 Sep 2023 14:36:16,
>>>tony sayer <tony@bancom.co.uk> writes
>>>[]
>>>>We started using VoIP some 10 or more years ago using VM as the Internet
>>>>carrier and im more recent times dumped those RB's and went to Zen via
>>>>openreach copper. I still have the Landline number but it comes down the
>>>>mobile as a data stream Not a simple divert!
>>>
>>>(So if someone 'phones the number, what happens?)
>>
>>** My mobile rings!
>>
>Ah. I was wondering what you meant by "as a data stream Not a simple
>divert". Obviously _everything_ that comes to a mobile these days is
>data, but it sounds like to a _practical_ effect your calls _do_ come as
>a divert. (I take it you have no way of making _outgoing_ calls that
>appear to come from that number.)

Yes thats more or less it and no, never tried making calls via VoIP over
the mobile it might be doable but it works fine dialling out on the
mobile - free calls:)

>>>>
>>>>We use VoIPfone fro that and yes you can configure CLI
>>>>
>>>>But these days I just use the mobile now much simpler more flexible and
>>>>cheaper overall:))
>>>>
>>>If you're paying a monthly mobile anyway, yes. I'm not. I live a fairly
>>>hermit lifestyle (don't go out much); I have broadband and anytime
>>>'phone for twentysomething a month from PN, and PAYG for the mobile (of
>>>which there's still some of the tenner I put on it when I bought it
>>>left).
>>
>>What works for you is fine!..
>>
>(-:

--
Tony Sayer

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person.

Give him a keyboard, and he will reveal himself.