Sponsored Links

Migrating from copper landline to FTTP

lukefielding

Regular Member
Hi all,

I'm about to switch over from FTTC with TalkTalk to Virgin FTTP. We currently have a landline that is used frequently and so would like to port over from TalkTalk/BT to Virgin - what is the most straightforward way to do this whilst retaining our landline number?

Would I need any new hardware except for the Virgin router? Would my current (basic) landline phones work? These currently just connect to a microfilter.

I can't seem to find much info on Virgins website. I would like to avoid third party providers if possible.

Cheers!
 
I would like to avoid third party providers if possible.

The best advice is to use a 3rd party such as Sipgate etc, this makes future migrations much easier as data and old landline number are kept separate.
 

The best advice is to use a 3rd party such as Sipgate etc, this makes future migrations much easier as data and old landline number are kept separate.
Surely if I ported it to VM (which I'm guessing would be VoIP) then in future it'd be easier to migrate elsewhere anyway? My main goal is to just get my current landline # off TalkTalk and away from copper.
 
Sponsored Links
As kommando828 states if you port your number to a third party you break the relationship with the broadband and any dependencies now and the future. VM do not provide a voice only service so you would be tied to VM broadband until you ported again.

If you have decided on Virgin Media for other reasons then depending on the package their Broadband and Phone can actually be cheaper than Broadband only and they include weekend calls. It depends on your "landline" use, if mainly incoming no issue.

You simply need to state that you want to retain your number during the order process. However be aware this will cease your FTTC service on changeover. The two broadbands will not run in parallel. A lot of people get the VM setup first then cancel their other broadband but you just can't do that if retaining your number. Porting should work but they should confirm it is technically possible before proceeding.

VM already provide all new voice services via their router. Whether its VoIP or a hybrid will depend on the VM area. They provide a BT Phone lead to RJ11 converter so you can plug in your corded phone, DECT base or alternatively connect it your existing house wiring (if location of router allows).

If connecting to your existing house telephone wiring then the incoming BT line needs to be disconnected. How to do this and complexity will depend whether you have a phone plugged into your Openreach master socket (if you have one). Any wiring needs to be of good quality and condition which is why ISPs only support a phone plugged in directly to their router.
 
Look at this this way, do you want your number to be looked after by someone who only provide services that need a phone number and their business model depends on this. Or do you want your number looked after by data providers who are rapidly running out of enthusiasm for phone services. They lose the number during migrations or just not even providing any phone services or cancelling migrations.
 
personally I would tend to get away from Virgin in any way possible. If that means getting your old number away from them then do it.
I don't know what ISP options you have at your house but there will be more coming...a lot cheaper than virgin as well, so best to get away as soon as your contract is over IMO. I would not be signing any new contracts at the moment without very careful consideration.
 
Sponsored Links
personally I would tend to get away from Virgin in any way possible. If that means getting your old number away from them then do it.
I don't know what ISP options you have at your house but there will be more coming...a lot cheaper than virgin as well, so best to get away as soon as your contract is over IMO. I would not be signing any new contracts at the moment without very careful consideration.
For what reason? I was looking to sign up to Virgin as they're just bringing FTTP to my area, should I avoid them?
 
As kommando828 states if you port your number to a third party you break the relationship with the broadband and any dependencies now and the future. VM do not provide a voice only service so you would be tied to VM broadband until you ported again.

If you have decided on Virgin Media for other reasons then depending on the package their Broadband and Phone can actually be cheaper than Broadband only and they include weekend calls. It depends on your "landline" use, if mainly incoming no issue.

You simply need to state that you want to retain your number during the order process. However be aware this will cease your FTTC service on changeover. The two broadbands will not run in parallel. A lot of people get the VM setup first then cancel their other broadband but you just can't do that if retaining your number. Porting should work but they should confirm it is technically possible before proceeding.

VM already provide all new voice services via their router. Whether its VoIP or a hybrid will depend on the VM area. They provide a BT Phone lead to RJ11 converter so you can plug in your corded phone, DECT base or alternatively connect it your existing house wiring (if location of router allows).

If connecting to your existing house telephone wiring then the incoming BT line needs to be disconnected. How to do this and complexity will depend whether you have a phone plugged into your Openreach master socket (if you have one). Any wiring needs to be of good quality and condition which is why ISPs only support a phone plugged in directly to their router.
Thanks for the detailed reply! Having my FTTC service cancelled on changeover is fine, I can deal with some downtime until Virgin FTTP is active.

Happy to have my phones connected to the Virgin router too, they're currently connected to the master socket via a microfilter and RJ11, so I'm guessing I shouldn't have any issues connecting them to the Virgin router.

I'll speak to an advisor before anything goes ahead, the last thing I want is to end up cancelling my FTTC and losing my landline number (it's tied to our business, would cause a lot of headache if lost)

Cheers!
 
Luke. You say " the last thing I want is to end up cancelling my FTTC and losing my landline number"

Don't want to depress you but I think you seem to be following the most risky route. Kommando spoke of Sipgate and porting your landline number. That will work on any broadband. Even your cellphone. So you will have it safe and useable whilst the FTTC is replaced by FTTP.
 
Luke. You say " the last thing I want is to end up cancelling my FTTC and losing my landline number"

Don't want to depress you but I think you seem to be following the most risky route. Kommando spoke of Sipgate and porting your landline number. That will work on any broadband. Even your cellphone. So you will have it safe and useable whilst the FTTC is replaced by FTTP.

Seems like the consensus is to port over to Sipgate, so my number is safely stored using VOIP.

What would be the best way to keep my number functional, whilst I still have my BT FTTC broadband contract and eventually when I move to VM FTTP? Would I need to buy some sort of router to connect to my phones?
 
Sponsored Links
There are mobile apps, then all calls to the landline will come through to your mobile. I use a SPA122 box which takes 2 phone lines and is plugged into a network socket. There are also VOIP phones which plug into a network socket, finally a Fritz router accepts DECT phones and connects them to VOIP.
 
There are mobile apps, then all calls to the landline will come through to your mobile. I use a SPA122 box which takes 2 phone lines and is plugged into a network socket. There are also VOIP phones which plug into a network socket, finally a Fritz router accepts DECT phones and connects them to VOIP.
So I'm guessing something like the Grandstream Handytone would work?
 
The only other issue I'm worried about - when I get my PAC code and transfer my number from TalkTalk to sipgate, will TalkTalk also cancel my broadband (as it's currently a bundle, broadband + phone)
 
No such thing as a PAC code with landlines, yes you will lose broadband the same day the number ports. So you get the FTTP installed and working including a Sipgate test number on Voip, then send Sipgate the porting form and fee, then 2 or 3 weeks later the number will port and the FTTC will cease. Not simple but then life becomes much easier with the link broken.
 
For what reason? I was looking to sign up to Virgin as they're just bringing FTTP to my area, should I avoid them?
The main reason is cost. Virgin are very expensive in my experience.
Customer service is poor, they use throttling at peak times and when you do try to leave it is near on impossible.
Can you get internet over mobile....ie wireless home broadband?
3 do a great deal, and you don't need an engineer visit, no installation costs,,you can try it for a month, 12 months or 24 months. Speeds are great if you can get it. Check here :

For years I only had a copper line. Now I have several FTTP options as well, plus the wireless home broadband from 2 or 3 providers.
This is why I say do not get signed up with Virgin for too long!
 
Sponsored Links
There are mobile apps, then all calls to the landline will come through to your mobile. I use a SPA122 box which takes 2 phone lines and is plugged into a network socket. There are also VOIP phones which plug into a network socket, finally a Fritz router accepts DECT phones and connects them to VOIP.
the apps are a good option if you travel a lot. All of your "home" phone calls can come through to your mobile anywhere in the world.
Otherwise use a provider that allows you to use an ordinary dect phone...you shouldn't need a fancy handset.
 
No such thing as a PAC code with landlines, yes you will lose broadband the same day the number ports. So you get the FTTP installed and working including a Sipgate test number on Voip, then send Sipgate the porting form and fee, then 2 or 3 weeks later the number will port and the FTTC will cease. Not simple but then life becomes much easier with the link broken.
But I thought that when I get FTTP installed, my FTTC will cease. Is that not correct? Will my FTTC run alongside my Virgin connection till the port is sorted?

Also, would I be able to use the Virgin router and Sipgate, or would I need a third party VOIP box to connect to my phones?

Thanks!
 
FTTC will cease on the port of the number.

The suggestion above is that you
1) Request the VM FTTP alongside the FTTC broadband
2) Register with Sipgate (with a test number) and verify
3) Once VM FTTP successfully installed request Porting of your number (to Sipgate)
4) The completion of the Porting to your Sipgate account should automatically cease your FTTC service. If not request it yourself to TT.

No you cannot use the VM router as it only functions for their voice service. You will need to acquire an ATA (for corded phone/dect/internal wiring) or use mobile VoIP apps as some have suggested above.

If you use the line for your business though I'd check the Sipgate call plans against the VM ones and factor in any ATA cost.
 
But I thought that when I get FTTP installed, my FTTC will cease. Is that not correct? Will my FTTC run alongside my Virgin connection till the port is sorted?

Also, would I be able to use the Virgin router and Sipgate, or would I need a third party VOIP box to connect to my phones?

Thanks!
Your FTTC and phoneline is with Talk Talk right? Then you will have to cancel your contract with them...usually that takes a month. Then that line goes dead...no internet and no phone...so I would keep that going until you are happy with your new broadband and see if you can successfully port your old landline number to a voip service. Of course Talk Talk will only release you if you are out of contract with them...or you may have to buy out your remaining time if you are still in contract?
 
Top
Cheap BIG ISPs for 100Mbps+
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Virgin Media UK ISP Logo
Virgin Media £22.99
132Mbps
Gift: None
Vodafone UK ISP Logo
Vodafone £24.00 - 26.00
150Mbps
Gift: None
NOW UK ISP Logo
NOW £24.00
100Mbps
Gift: None
Plusnet UK ISP Logo
Plusnet £25.99
145Mbps
Gift: £50 Reward Card
Large Availability | View All
Cheapest ISPs for 100Mbps+
Gigaclear UK ISP Logo
Gigaclear £17.00
200Mbps
Gift: None
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Virgin Media UK ISP Logo
Virgin Media £22.99
132Mbps
Gift: None
Hey! Broadband UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Youfibre UK ISP Logo
Youfibre £23.99
150Mbps
Gift: None
Large Availability | View All
Sponsored Links
The Top 15 Category Tags
  1. FTTP (6026)
  2. BT (3639)
  3. Politics (2721)
  4. Business (2439)
  5. Openreach (2405)
  6. Building Digital UK (2330)
  7. Mobile Broadband (2146)
  8. FTTC (2083)
  9. Statistics (1901)
  10. 4G (1816)
  11. Virgin Media (1764)
  12. Ofcom Regulation (1582)
  13. Fibre Optic (1467)
  14. Wireless Internet (1462)
  15. 5G (1407)
Sponsored

Copyright © 1999 to Present - ISPreview.co.uk - All Rights Reserved - Terms  ,  Privacy and Cookie Policy  ,  Links  ,  Website Rules