Broadband and Phone connections
Discussion
My Mum is out of contract for her broadband connection, so I'm looking for a new package for her.
All the suppliers now seem to be fibre only, which is fine, but they will also disconnect her phone line as apparently phone lines are a thing of the past.
So how will she be able to use the phone? She's 91 and reasonably active, so speaks to friend and family (my sister lives in the USA) quite regularly. She doesn't have a mobile phone, has no wish to have a mobile phone, and wouldn't be able to operate one if I got one for her. Not least, she won't be able to read the screen.
I know that progress is good, and landline phone use is declining, but this seems to be a process that will leave a whole generation vulnerable and excluded.
All the suppliers now seem to be fibre only, which is fine, but they will also disconnect her phone line as apparently phone lines are a thing of the past.
So how will she be able to use the phone? She's 91 and reasonably active, so speaks to friend and family (my sister lives in the USA) quite regularly. She doesn't have a mobile phone, has no wish to have a mobile phone, and wouldn't be able to operate one if I got one for her. Not least, she won't be able to read the screen.
I know that progress is good, and landline phone use is declining, but this seems to be a process that will leave a whole generation vulnerable and excluded.
The answer is digital voice. Not all isps do it so be careful. Basically the phone plugs into the router and does voip but to your mum it is business as usual.
The number can be ported to digital voice. Things get a little complicated if there are phone extensions installed or things that are analog only (e.g. some older personal care alarms).
The number can be ported to digital voice. Things get a little complicated if there are phone extensions installed or things that are analog only (e.g. some older personal care alarms).
Is your mother on any benefits?
If so this might be an option and I believe come with a landline as you get inclusive call minutes
https://www.socialtariff.co.uk/broadband/bt/
Home Essentials Unlimited Fibre Essential
Fibre broadband with average speeds of 36Mbps
700 inclusive anytime minutes a month to UK mobiles and 01,02,03, 0845 and 0870 numbers excluding the Channel Islands
If so this might be an option and I believe come with a landline as you get inclusive call minutes
https://www.socialtariff.co.uk/broadband/bt/
Home Essentials Unlimited Fibre Essential
Fibre broadband with average speeds of 36Mbps
700 inclusive anytime minutes a month to UK mobiles and 01,02,03, 0845 and 0870 numbers excluding the Channel Islands
OutInTheShed said:
The people who are 'excluded' are those who've not read any of the threads on the subject....
Get a broadband package with 'digital voice'. Plug your phone(s) into the router.
My 91 year old mother and her similarly ancient friends aren't big readers of Pistonheads threads...Get a broadband package with 'digital voice'. Plug your phone(s) into the router.
Out of interest, what happens in a power cut? The router stops working,so you can't make VOIP calls, and if the power cut it area-based (or a transformer fault or something) the mobile signal goes too.
boyse7en said:
Out of interest, what happens in a power cut? The router stops working,so you can't make VOIP calls, and if the power cut it area-based (or a transformer fault or something) the mobile signal goes too.
Get a UPS. Most people have cordless phones these days which need the base unit to be mains powered so this isn’t really a new thing. colin79666 said:
boyse7en said:
Out of interest, what happens in a power cut? The router stops working,so you can't make VOIP calls, and if the power cut it area-based (or a transformer fault or something) the mobile signal goes too.
Get a UPS. Most people have cordless phones these days which need the base unit to be mains powered so this isn’t really a new thing. Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff