Digital Phone line provisioning

[NickT]

I have recently switched to Now broadband and phone and all seemed to go well. However the NOW Hub 2 does not have a phone port, so when the analogue phone service switches off, how will Now provide a digital phone line? The comparable Sky router apparently has a phone port and built in VOIP capability, albeit locked to Sky, but I cant see how that will work with the Hub 2 unless Now provide updated routers.

[schnapps]

Hi @NickT 

Reading this linked internet article below, I wouldn't worry in the short term, where it mentions December 2025 for existing customers who are on the copper based Broadband and Phone service.

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2023/08/one-month-until-openreach-stop-selling-new-uk-analogue... 

[Jayach]

@schnapps 

Really useful link, I hadn't seen that before.

[chilli2]

There is no need to worry, or do anything just yet, just plug your analogue phone into the socket and use as normal.

 Now Broadband are part of Sky , and Sky ( formerly easynet for those who remember) use something in openreach slang as LLU, that stands for local loop unbundling .

Some ISPs use an openreach wholesale product where openreach not only maintain the wires ( be that copper, fibre, or if you are unlucky aluminium) but also all the equipment in the local exchange.

 With an LLU provider, openreach look after the wires between the property and the exchange, but inside the exchange the LLU provider will have their own equipment - for that reason some communication providers (isps such as sky/now and talk talk) may be able to continue to offer copper analogue services beyond the openreach stop dates

[Jayach]

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@chilli2 wrote:
 Now Broadband are part of Sky , and Sky ( formerly easynet for those who remember) use something in openreach slang as LLU, that stands for local loop unbundling .

Some ISPs use an openreach wholesale product where openreach not only maintain the wires ( be that copper, fibre, or if you are unlucky aluminium) but also all the equipment in the local exchange.

 With an LLU provider, openreach look after the wires between the property and the exchange, but inside the exchange the LLU provider will have their own equipment - for that reason some communication providers (isps such as sky/now and talk talk) may be able to continue to offer copper analogue services beyond the openreach stop dates

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Interesting, I assumed even with LLU the phone line was still POTS, but it appears I was wrong.

Quote from https://kitz.co.uk/adsl/telephone_exchange.htm

Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) is where an ISP or CP installs their own equipment in the local exchange. There are 2 types of LLU:

• MPF (Full Metallic Path Facilities)
  ISP provides both broadband and telephone/voice services over their own network
• SMPF (Shared Metallic Path Facilities)
  ISP provides broadband only. Voice services are provided by an alternative network (eg BT).

[Jayach]

When I said "I assumed even with LLU the phone line was still POTS" that should have been "I assumed even with LLU the phone line was still PSTN", these acronyms can be confusing.

[NickT]

I know all that. My question is why are Now providing new customers with hubs which do not support digital phone lines when (in less than 16 months) the analogue phone lines switch off. Will we be charged for a new hub if we want to retain our landlines or will that be a free upgrade?

[Jayach]

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@NickT wrote:
I know all that. My question is why are Now providing new customers with hubs which do not support digital phone lines when (in less than 16 months) the analogue phone lines switch off. 

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As the Now contracts are only 12 months, it shouldn't be a problem.

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@NickT wrote:
Will we be charged for a new hub if we want to retain our landlines or will that be a free upgrade?

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Good question, but I don't think anyone knows.

[RoyB]

@NickT 

Now Broadband will be offering FTTP to those who can receive it by then, with VOIP for telephone for those on FTTP and those still on FTTC, or it will be dead in the water.