Is this allowed from BT?
Discussion
Just received the following email - whilst clearly marketing is it a) correct and b) allowed ?
You'll lose your service if you don't take action
Hello,
We have some important news regarding your BT home phone service.
The existing landline has become outdated and is being replaced with a digital service that works over a broadband con
We have some important news regarding your BT home phone service.
The existing landline has become outdated and is being replaced with a digital service that works over a broadband connection. This is happening as part of a UK-wide digital upgrade that phone providers are carrying out to enhance the quality and reliability of your landline services.
As a result of this change, you can no longer take broadband and a landline from different providers. This means that you ll need to switch to BT Broadband in order to keep your BT home phone service.
You'll lose your service if you don't take action
Hello,
We have some important news regarding your BT home phone service.
The existing landline has become outdated and is being replaced with a digital service that works over a broadband con
We have some important news regarding your BT home phone service.
The existing landline has become outdated and is being replaced with a digital service that works over a broadband connection. This is happening as part of a UK-wide digital upgrade that phone providers are carrying out to enhance the quality and reliability of your landline services.
As a result of this change, you can no longer take broadband and a landline from different providers. This means that you ll need to switch to BT Broadband in order to keep your BT home phone service.
Edited by alscar on Thursday 23 July 12:03
In short, yes. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/land...
Thanks for both replies - still fairly aggressive marketing though.
I guess my options are therefore just ditch the landline when BT say and continue with the existing bb supplier and forget about having a landline or switch to say Sky or Talk Talk for both or indeed do what the email suggests and keep both the existing landline with BT but switch BB supplier ?
I guess my options are therefore just ditch the landline when BT say and continue with the existing bb supplier and forget about having a landline or switch to say Sky or Talk Talk for both or indeed do what the email suggests and keep both the existing landline with BT but switch BB supplier ?
craig1912 said:
Depends who you are with at the moment for BB. You might be able to transfer your number to them.
You can also transfer your number to an Independent VoiP which then means it doesn t matter which BB provider you are with.
Yes the first I stupidly forgot about !You can also transfer your number to an Independent VoiP which then means it doesn t matter which BB provider you are with.
I guess its just really what becomes the easiest and most cost efficient transaction.
Consider whether you actually need a land line? I officially ditched mine earlier this year after not having a landline phone plugged in for the past few years. I can't think of a single time it would have been useful.
In fact, I've lived here since 2009 and never even knew what my landline number was! Can still remember my childhood phone number though...
In fact, I've lived here since 2009 and never even knew what my landline number was! Can still remember my childhood phone number though...
wiggy001 said:
Consider whether you actually need a land line? I officially ditched mine earlier this year after not having a landline phone plugged in for the past few years. I can't think of a single time it would have been useful.
In fact, I've lived here since 2009 and never even knew what my landline number was! Can still remember my childhood phone number though...
In fact, I've lived here since 2009 and never even knew what my landline number was! Can still remember my childhood phone number though...
Very fair point - would certainly stop those scam calls.
I guess we probably only use for emergencies or when there is a power cut and poor mobile reception - village isn't brilliant.
My mother would probably really be the only one that calls me but since she sadly developed Alzheimer's not so much.
alscar said:
I guess we probably only use for emergencies or when there is a power cut and poor mobile reception - village isn't brilliant.
Once the line changes a power cut will kill the landline anyway. BT are rolling out a home phone with a built in SIM card and battery backup to get around this. My mum has one - The mobile reception seems ok (better than a mobile phone at the same location) [quote=alscar]Thanks for both replies - still fairly aggressive marketing though.[quote]
Although it isn't actually marketing, they are just pointing out that "landlines" are becoming obsolete and telling you your options.
This has been "on the cards" and actively talked about by my last 2 BB suppliers (at least 3 years now) that I know of.
Although it isn't actually marketing, they are just pointing out that "landlines" are becoming obsolete and telling you your options.
This has been "on the cards" and actively talked about by my last 2 BB suppliers (at least 3 years now) that I know of.
E-bmw]lscar]Thanks for both replies - still fairly aggressive marketing though.[quote said:
Although it isn't actually marketing, they are just pointing out that "landlines" are becoming obsolete and telling you your options.
This has been "on the cards" and actively talked about by my last 2 BB suppliers (at least 3 years now) that I know of.
Indeed - marketing not the right word you're right although various consumer groups are also unhappy at the way in which the communication's have been issued apparently.This has been "on the cards" and actively talked about by my last 2 BB suppliers (at least 3 years now) that I know of.
As you also say not exactly an unknown issue although its the first such correspondence from BT I've received.
If you do decide to keep your landline then be careful, particularly if you want to keep the same number. if you move either on their own then you will lose the other unless the new provider takes steps to make sure it doesn't happen. BT can provide you with a Digital Voice line (keeping your number) as can Zen - also DV.
wiggy001 said:
595Heaven said:
Once the line changes a power cut will kill the landline anyway.
Good point!595Heaven said:
BT are rolling out a home phone with a built in SIM card and battery backup to get around this.
Isn't this just a... er... mobile phone?I’ve noticed these being used as the classic taxi courtesy phone in supermarkets over the last few years. Instead of being plugged into a phone line it’s plugged into a power supply and has an aerial sticking out the top. Looks like a normal landline phone but presumably uses a SIM card to make calls.
Obviously you could build one yourself by just leaving a mobile permanently on charge at home but I can see why something that looks and functions like a landline would be attractive to some users.
The SIM backed phones supplied by BT for vulnerable custoners have an IoT SIM (should connect to any network) and a battery pack like a DECT handset, that way they can survive power cuts and loss of the line.
The SIM mode works on its own number and is meant for minimal outgoing calls only, you cant manage it and it doesn't have a lot of credit. Usually it just uses the landline.
It's very much meant as an emergency option.
If you're using a BT/EE hub the much better option is to use one of their lithium BBUs (you can find them cheap on Ebay) which give you 4 or 5 hours of runtime, and one of the BT (EE) Digital cordless handsets paired direct to the hub (£20 or so on Amazon). That will survive power cuts for a while.
Note that anything relying on the line is useless if the broadband packs up - it's not unknown for it to have sync to the backend but not actually be working beyond that. Which nukes the VOIP line.
At least in that case lights should be flashing but doesnt help you make a call!
The SIM mode works on its own number and is meant for minimal outgoing calls only, you cant manage it and it doesn't have a lot of credit. Usually it just uses the landline.
It's very much meant as an emergency option.
If you're using a BT/EE hub the much better option is to use one of their lithium BBUs (you can find them cheap on Ebay) which give you 4 or 5 hours of runtime, and one of the BT (EE) Digital cordless handsets paired direct to the hub (£20 or so on Amazon). That will survive power cuts for a while.
Note that anything relying on the line is useless if the broadband packs up - it's not unknown for it to have sync to the backend but not actually be working beyond that. Which nukes the VOIP line.
At least in that case lights should be flashing but doesnt help you make a call!
Edited by JoshSm on Thursday 23 July 15:05
Luckily we are neither particularly elderly or vulnerable so i think its more about making that first decision of whether we actually need or even want a landline of any description and then whether we can secure a better deal on the existing BB whilst keeping things as pain free as possible.
Thanks again for all the replies.
Thanks again for all the replies.
alscar said:
Very fair point - would certainly stop those scam calls.
I guess we probably only use for emergencies or when there is a power cut and poor mobile reception - village isn't brilliant.
My mother would probably really be the only one that calls me but since she sadly developed Alzheimer's not so much.
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