WARNING re landline change to internet - Not as good as made out to be

[DistinguishedSocialCommentator]

AIBU to feel that the change from the old system to new is not "better" as advertised on the net/press/tv etc

We had ours changed, but were not advised that part of the pack was that out existing number would change as we were never given the chance and as mobile network is not 100% we have landline don as our main contacts and have answer phone on it and pay upfront for all calls

It's not better because:

No improvement in call experience.

Not better and dangerously worse as our alarm is connected to the phone alerts. In the past, if the electricity was cut off and it happens for a few hours every year, we'd still get an alert if an alarm went off as the phone, and landlines had their own dedicated power source. Not the internet Voip I think its called

Even those over 70 will have to have then by the end of 2025 and many have Falls alarms etc, link lines etc connected, I'm not sure what their solution is.

Therefore, the adverts are misleading IMO as the new VoiP is not "better" in every sense.

During storms and you get more of them up north - electric goes off, mobile signals poor and you are left with no landline

Yes, many people have given them up but I'm sure many are like us. FYI, we are in our early 60's and had the internet since 1997, we were the first in the street, work, and family I guess - so we are used to technology but the adverts IMO are misleading as how can it be "better." and examples given above

The basics of the changeover are below from a respected source.

Re the adverts, you see, hear them on TV all of the time

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/consumer-issues/changes-to-landline-telephones/

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-12860281/BTs-digital-landline-switchover-horror-story-problems-pensioners-phones.html

I agree. We live rurally and have the landline so if there's a power cut, my husband can contact me. Our signal is terrible here for mobiles and his alert button is WiFi based.

Agreed.
My parent's burglar alarm no longer works.

And the phones didn't work all round the house. They had to pay for booster systems that are wlquite ineffective. The keep asking the installers to come back to sort out the mess and the installers have washed their hands of it and walked away

Lots of things don't change for the better sadly.

I had a emergency with my dog. Phoned the vet but line was dead so we were unable to let them know we were bringing her straight down. When we got there, receptionist told us the internet phone thing had been down for almost 3hours! I thought that businesses weren't going to be affected regarding internet phone line's. Obviously I was wrong. My worst nightmare is unable to contact my vet when I need to, as my remaining pets are all very old now. Why couldn't they just leave landlines alone😡

Fucking ridiculous.

I wasn't aware that the phone number changes. That's not been mentioned in the info virgin sent me. Is it all suppliers doing that or just yours?

Virgin also say to contact them about alarms and other stuff like that to discuss as I think they can keep a normal phone line but not 100% sure

I haven't seen any of the advertising for this, but am aware having worked previously in the telecoms industry.

Better is a subjective term. What most providers mean is that it is better for them. If the cost savings are passed on, then it is better for us, but in terms of quality of service, the fact that the phone will no longer be powered from the telephone exchange can make a big difference to some and will undoubtedly degrade the service for them.

That said, many companies have been using IP phones for ages, and nobody has even noticed. Personally, the only reason I have a fixed line is because it is the carrier for my broadband, I don't ever use it. I can't wait for it to go, however I will expect that the monthly rental will reduce. I suspect I may be overly optimistic.

This has all been driven by BT no longer being classified as the dominant provider and hence the removal of their universal service obligation.

There will be wrinkles to iron out, but progress change is inevitable (other than from vending machines.)

We've got a VOIP system at work, and most of the time it's OK but when it does go down, it's always for a good hour or so and doesn't seem to correct itself easily. We lose our phone lines, internet and line to our card payment system so it's a PITA. And this is in a fairly decent sized town. We're rural at home and our internet quality is appalling, mobiles are only reliable hanging out of an upstairs window at the end of the house. I'm not looking forward to the change.

The adverts are there and I felt like making a complaint to OFCOM or whoever control the adverts as IMO they are misleading

We were aware of the change when we changed to a tv and BB providers but the person clearly failed to tell us re the old number notion to keep it and when I asked, they aid we could not, which was completely wrong. It meant us contacting hospitals, gp, dentist and family - stress that was not required

It was only afterwards I though about our Aalrm system - we have Ring security plus a separate alarm. As I said, if the eltrics went off as they do in storms etc, most people knew the landline was working. This happens in London but more a case from Modilands upwards and east of M25 as winds and snows are stronger/heavier.

mobile connections are not reliable for many

This is why there is a delay from the changeover from this year to next

As the adverts claims its "better" - in what sense? All I can see its worse and possible better for their profits.

If you see the adverts as stated by me - report it

If you live in the countryside where signal for mobiles is poor and your power goes down in heavy snow, lots of glasses etc, you wont have a landline operational like before so no phone

The vulnerable that are on alrm/link emergency sytems- if power goes, no emergency services via press of a button, not sure what the solution is other than to keep the old system

Its not fair and its misleading ie the adverts that states its "better"

Many thanks to you and others sharing the facts

When I next see/hear the advert, I will complain

I will try and find one to post here - so you can decide if you find it misleading or not

We were told by Virgin that we could keep a normal landline because our wifi is not reliable, there is virtually no mobile reception in our part of our road, and my husband has a health condition which makes him fairly vulnerable and I need to be able to call an ambulance on a regular basis. They sent someone out to make changes to our wiring and we were told it was sorted out. We had a fault soon after and the engineer who called to fix it told us that the previous engineer hadn't done anything to the line at all. He arranged for someone else to call, who didn't turn up. Typical appalling Virgin service.

It's better for the providers, not the customers. We have slow internet and no speech mobile here. Dreading it.

I completely agree that the majority of people don't realise that the phone system will no longer be powered by the telephone exchange.

I expect there will be many in the same position as you describe, especially older people who may be reliant on phone systems for their emergency buttons which will not work potentially at the moment they are most required.

I have instructed my mother to have a torch by the side of the bed, the chair, in the kitchen etc. I can envisage the power failing, her not being able to see and having a fall, and then the emergency button not working.

Most things appear to be evolving backwards these days.

My husband is partially paralysed and has regular falls. We rely on the alarm button to call the team to help him up, especially if I'm at work. He is unable to use a mobile due to his disability but can use our large button phone . It's very worrying.

VOiP is fraught with problems. I've know about it for years (DP was a telephone engineer).

We've just cancelled our own landline but not paying the extra for the voice package from our broadband supplier. Our mobile signal is excellent and we've been using mobiles exclusively for years now. The only calls we got on the landline are cold calls and scammers.

Thank you

The reason I intiated this topic is the BS spouted in adverts - i think its tv as well but definetly on the radio during weekday - i will listen/look out and post here - the advert bangs on about how "good" "better" it is - They state nothing re power cuts and these happen as you know and people with poor mobile signals, and many with house alarms etc plus the vulerable with life line type alarms -

Yup, we raises our concerns after no power for over a week with storm arwen. The solution? A battery pack that will give back up power for anything between 15 mins and an hour. Yeah, in rural NE Scotland, that helps 🙄