Will landline telephones work in a power cut ?

[cubes]

As far as I'm aware Openreach is intending on phasing out all ISDN and PTSN lines by 2025 to be replaced by VoIP services.

https://digitalwholesalesolutions.com/2 ... witch-off/

[adam2]

As far as I'm aware Openreach is intending on phasing out all ISDN and PTSN lines by 2025 to be replaced by VoIP services.

https://digitalwholesalesolutions.com/2 ... witch-off/

Thanks, that is pretty much what I had heard, but confirmed from a reliable source rather than relying on my imperfect memory.

[fuzzy]

Can you still order fixed leased lines? ie not public switched?

I just had a look, and the definition has changed for marketing to 'your own connection to the internet', so it's really just an expensive link to the exchange.

They used to go from A to B

[fuzzy]

As far as I'm aware Openreach is intending on phasing out all ISDN and PTSN lines by 2025 to be replaced by VoIP services.

https://digitalwholesalesolutions.com/2 ... witch-off/

I am not sure I follow the details. Are they going to VoIP from the streetbox to the exchange, or are they really going to turn off analog house phonelines? How are people supposed to troubleshoot faults?

edit:

some techy thoughts here:

https://forums.thinkbroadband.com/techn ... ?fpart=all

[kenneal - lagger]

Sounds like I'm going to have to get my fibre connection sorted as we get less than 1Mb connection speed on broad band on the phone line at the moment. And that is after they did their best to increase the speed.

[adam2]

If I have understood correctly, VOIP or fiber is to be used between the exchange and the street side cabinet. A pair of copper wires will still be provided between cabinet and customers premises.

That suggests no reliance on electricity supply at the customers premises, there are still a very small number of customers without electricity, and others with non standard supplies.

There WOULD be total reliance on the electricity supply to the roadside cabinet, which would remain vulnerable to breakdowns, rota power cuts, and possibly deliberate interference by criminals.
These cabinets would presumably be equipped with back up batteries, but my faith in these is limited.

A limited number of customers have fiber into their premises, to give very fast internet or multiple phone lines. This system DOES require electricity at the customers premises. Hopefully users are aware of this and will provide a suitable UPS.

All this presumes that I have correctly understood this, corrections and clarifications welcome.

[cubes]

I am not sure I follow the details. Are they going to VoIP from the streetbox to the exchange, or are they really going to turn off analog house phonelines? How are people supposed to troubleshoot faults?

edit:

some techy thoughts here:

https://forums.thinkbroadband.com/techn ... ?fpart=all

As I understand it all you'll get is an internet connection. Any voice will be VoIP of some description, even if it's just plug your phone into the router type thing (with an RJ11 -> BT adapter probably), a stand-alone voip phone or an app your your mobile.

Had enough calls at work about this already. BT will certainly tie you into their internet service to use their voip service but you would hope ofcom stop providers from blocking connections to rival providers.

[RevdTess]

As a BT fibre broadband customer I can confirm that when I tried to upgrade my (relatively slow) fibre service to their latest whizzy offering, I was told that my current (Openreach) installation was not compatible with the upgrade as BT are now installing their own kit which has 'phone over fibre' rather than using the existing copper phoneline. They supply you with a VOIP phone as part of the deal.

I eventually got the upgrade by cancelling the original order and reordering via a relatively knowledgeable BT call centre. So no VOIP for me, not that I ever use the BT line anyway. But it's certainly coming.

[lancasterlad]

I have recently heard, but can not substantiate, that BT plan to migrate almost all phone lines to internet based/fiber optic technology.

I think the plan is that all new connections from a set date will be IP based - I think 2025?

[cubes]

Not just new connections. All existing PTSN and ISDN will be switched off too. I think the last order date for traditional lines is 2023.

[adam2]

They could just run exchanges on natural gas powered generators. They would run until the end of BAU.

Yes they could, though diesel fuel is more common. However no provision of backup power at the exchange helps if the roadside cabinet lacks power.

My telephone went off during a recent power cut, which is why I have been thinking of this.

[RenewableCandy]

A limited number of customers have fiber into their premises, to give very fast internet or multiple phone lines. This system DOES require electricity at the customers premises. Hopefully users are aware of this and will provide a suitable UPS.

All this presumes that I have correctly understood this, corrections and clarifications welcome.

Oh gawd I think that's what we've got now. Super-fast broadband but no phone if the lights go out. *sigh*

[adam2]

This report suggests that new style land line telephones provided via fiber optic cable will NOT work during a power cut.
Various solutions are discussed by stake holders, with some of the views being summarised as

Back up not needed as most customers have a cellphone.
Back up provision is pointless because many subscribers use a cordless handset.
Perhaps a cellphone (restricted to emergency calls only) should be provided at someone elses expense to vulnerable groups.
"Not our problem, the DNO should provide a more reliable electricity supply".
Back up might be needed but someone other than us should pay for it.

The summary seems to lead to battery back up at the subscribers premises, but only for "at risk" groups, and then with calls limited to emergency numbers, and limited to outgoing calls only, and then only for the first hour of the power outage.

The main priority seems to be INFORMING most customers that their telephone wont work in a power cut, rather than making any other arrangements.

Is not progress wonderful ?

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/ ... er-cut.pdf

[clv101]

Can't need much power. Why can't every fibre optic phone have 2xAA batteries for backup power?

[Catweazle]

We have fibre to premises, the router has a battery inside. Our phones are not via the fibre, yet.