Can I continue to use FTTC fibre 35 or 65 with digital voice after 2027

[GBy1231]

Can someone confirm that  Fibre 35 or Fibre 65 with digital voice, using FTTC will work after January 2027.

Currently I have fibre 35, with phone -  contract ends early November.  I have agreed to have full fibre 150 with VOIP, installation date 29th June.     I absolutely do not want this unless it is absolutely essential.  I have spoken to customer support at TT and they have told me I can still use FTTC (possibly fibre 65 with VOIP) and do not have to have full fibre for a while.    

My router is upstairs using a long phone extension cable,  but connected to PC with ethernet cable.  I full and stable speeds.   I have good WIF everywhere else.   I just tried moving my router downstairs, by the master socket and used WIFI on my upstairs PC.  The speed dropped to 3mps... so completely useless.  There are a number of obstructions that could degrade the signal, but my tablet, next to PC also dropped speed to almost nothing so I know it is affected where I work.

I do not want to have fibre 150 installed and find that my WIFI range is affected like this, because I cannot connect via ethernet.      So.  I want to use set up as now, use fibre 65 FTTC with VOIP (can plug base DECT answerphone into router upstairs).   I have been told by TT that this is possible, but I am waiting to hear from 'heretohelp' if it will work after the 2027 switch off.   Can anyone on Community, confirm too please?  The whole full fibre installation is going to be an absolute nightmare for me anyway and I would like as little disruption as possible.   I do not know if I can stick with fibre 35, but I do need digital voice and would need adapter on my current HG633 router.

I am aware I am putting off the evil day and that anything can happen with TT but I am keeping my options open.   I do not need the stress of it all at the moment.

[Catwoman1]

Hi, @Gliwmaeden2.

Exactly the same situation, unfortunately. ***Twice*** my router has failed, and needed replaced, after power cuts. It's a well-acknowledged problem/weak spot with Sagemcom routers. 

Nope, my current router doesn't have the digital voice phone input, covered by a sticker. However, a previously failed (power cut) Sagemcom one did. Which was replaced, last summer, with an older/reconditioned Sagemcom model without the phone input.

I'm tempted to call the old legacy sales number and just purchase one. Handy to have a spare anyway, in the event of another power cut, and another damaged router. Saves 2 or 3 days without internet, awaiting a replacement that I've had to beg for, on a two hour long phone call. Banging my head against a wall. 

[Gliwmaeden2]

I've posted information about the unsupported router for the OP to follow up if need be - some people didn't spot the email informing them what could be done about it last year.

But your own situation is odd - and I see the router was replaced in the same circumstances as mine (mine didn't recover from a power outage when lightning shook the street!).

So yours doesn't look like this on the back?

 

Very strange - mine was sent even though I only have HSDL, and I think its predecessor that conked also had the VOIP capacity. Am not surprised you felt hard done by!

[Catwoman1]

Hi @Gliwmaeden2, thank you. There's so much misinformation out there. I'm aware this thread is a month old. However, it appears high up in Google search results, when searching "FTTC & January 2027". Thus, felt strongly this thread needed the link to the proper state of play, via the link I supplied.

My current Sagemcom router, which was issued as a replacement just last summer (looked  reconditioned, not brand new), due to the previous router packing in, does not have the socket to attach a phone. And, have yet to receive one that does...

The op clearly states, she's still using the extremely outdated Huawei HG633 Super Router.

These days, you have to literally beg, on bended knee, for a new router. Even then, you're sent out an old, reconditioned one, which will no doubt fail soon. It's a sad state of affairs. I really miss the old, UK based staff on here. Debbie and Michelle were my favourites. :))) This community was amazing back then. Such a valued and useful resource. When regular TalkTalk CS failed, the staff on this community would save the day. I miss them so.

[Gliwmaeden2]

https://help-centre.talktalk.co.uk/Broadband/Security/Telecoms_Security_Act_Unsupported_devices

@GBy1231, the above is a link to the list of unsupported devices that you should have been alerted to last year in an email. 

It includes the router you mentioned in your first post. If you are within the last 4 months of your contract, it should be possible for you to have this replaced by Talktalk so you have one of the latest Sagemcom hubs that is ready for VOIP - that's if you are taking out a new contract at that stage. 

Any time before that, they obviously have to replace it if it develops a fault, but if you simply wanted it swapped out, they charge for the replacement. 

[Gliwmaeden2]

The OP hasn't been on here for a month, so may miss your catch up, @Catwoman1, but I'm sure it's helpful for people to know that there's a system in place that's less disruptive for those already on FTTC when the "switch off" happens. 

The OP will need a new router.

These have been issued as standard since the Hub2 came out. Talktalk is currently issuing Hub3.

Even my basic copper line has the right router for VOIP - at least a couple of years old.

[Catwoman1]

The broadband part of her FTTC service, will still work post Jan 2027, only the analogue phone line will cease. 

See thread: https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Fibre/SOGEA/m-p/3142794#M405067

Though, @GBy1231 should really be offered a new router, before then, to enable VOIP (if TalkTalk decide to offer such over FTTC. As it can be done.), in place of her landline. Her current router won't have a socket to insert her landline phone.

[Catwoman1]

I'm in exactly the same position as you @GBy1231, a FTTC customer, and refuse to get FTTP for similar reasons as yourself

Where we differ is, I'm okay with losing the landline part of the package at end of Jan 2027. As long as my broadband (all-IP) continues, I'll be more than happy. Which I've been reassured will be the case, when I raised similar questions you are, here, earlier in the year.

So much misinformation and scaremongering being touted here, and elsewhere. 

Link to the thread and info I managed to tease out:

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Fibre/SOGEA/m-p/3142794#M405067

[Gliwmaeden2]

FTTC fibre65 uses your traditional copper line from the cabinet to your house - which you'd lose after a switch to Full Fibre, or after the "switch off". 

There's a Full Fibre Fibre65 package that could be ordered to include VOIP - It's the same infrastructure as for Fibre150 etc, so would involve the same disruption.

That's what Talktalk's Fibre65  + VOIP service gives you, @GBy1231. 

[GBy1231]

Thanks for replying, but it Wwill  not work.   Route downstairs in hall, PC upstairs at back of house.  No way to run an extremely long ethernet cable between the two.

I have contacted TalkTalk 'here to help' and they have replied, but they have said I have to have full fibre to have digital voice.  I do not understand why - it appears Fibre 65 with digital voice is still available with FTTC.      I can't be the only one who  wants to continue to use FTTC (even if Full fibre is available in my area).   I feel I am being forced int this situation.     However, because I believe Community is now only for peer to peer help, I can only keep trying to deal with TT directly.   If anyone out there has any comments, I would be glad to hear them. 

[ferguson]

Why not leave the router positioned where it is and connect to the new ONT with a long ethernet cable?