Questions about migration to full fibre - router and handsets

[Martin398k]

TalkTalk emailed me to say I’m being forced to upgrade to full fibre because of the nationwide migration to fibre, and I’d be very grateful for some help/advice.    (To be fair, they didn’t quite say I’m being forced, but it certainly left me with that impression, but I will challenge that.)

I have several corded (landline) phones in the house, so I spoke to TalkTalk, as the email advised, but I’m still in the dark.    I don’t blame the support staff: I think I am reasonably competent technically, but after several hours on the Internet, I’m still a little uncertain.

I have 2 questions: firstly, can I continue to use my own (Asus) third-party router (it is a router, and not a modem-router), and, secondly,  is there any way I can retain the several corded telephone handsets or must I buy new wireless handsets?

I think the answer to the question about continuing to use my own router is yes, it will simply plug into the ONT.      As for continuing to use the old handsets - and assuming the copper cable to the house is removed/disconnected, I’m not sure what the answer is.    Despite what I’ve read on the Internet, I think the answer must be no, because those corded phones currently rely on a 50V supply from the street cabinet, and that supply will disappear along with the copper cable.     But maybe there are workarounds?

And these 2 questions may well be interdependent because, if I am forced to buy new, compatible telephone handsets, there will be implications for how they are connected to the network.

NB I don’t want to give the impression I’m dissatisfied with TalkTalk: I’ve been a happy customer for over 20 years.

I’d be very grateful for any help and advice.

[Martin398k]

Hello, Michelle,

It’s really very kind of you to get in touch.

This morning I tried to cancel (or postpone as long as possible) the upgrade, but I was told that the copper PSTN system is being turned off to my house on 30 November, which was such a surprise that I can’t help wondering if it’s really true.    (My postcode is BL9 8DT.)    So, unfortunately, it appears I have no choice but to upgrade.

The TalkTalk email I got told me to get in touch if I have “multiple phone sockets in different rooms”, which is indeed the case.    So, clearly, that must presents some difficulty or departure from the norm.    When I phoned TalkTalk this morning, I was told I would be given an Eero router and one handset, which would plug into it.

A neighbour, who has full fibre with Virgin, has his analogue “landline” handsets connected to his fibre, so I am hopeful, one way or other, I’ll be able to figure something out and avoid having to buy several cordless phones, each with a mains adapter plugged into a nearby mains socket.

It’s disappointing there’s relatively short notice and a lack of precise, detailed information - anywhere, not just on TalkTalk’s site - on what the implications and options are for users of analogue  “landline” handsets.      A flow chart taking the customer through the various options and the hardware required/supplied, would be ideal.     

Talking to my neighbours, who are all retired, it appears they’re all already either on full fibre with various providers, or they gave up their landlines and use a mobile phone, instead.      

So I’ll wait and see how it all pans out as I join the 21st century.

Thanks

Martin

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Hello,

Please let us know if you need any additional assistance.

Thanks

[Martin398k]

Many thanks; things are now becoming a lot clearer.

Part of my problem is knowing what I need to search for.    I did ask the TalkTalk customer-service rep if they were going to send me some information to explain everything, but was met with the equivalent of a blank expression.

i wonder if it would help if topics like the digital voice adapter link you sent, and others that must crop up frequently, were set as sticky topics at the top of the forum.

Thanks for the reassurance on eero security.

Martin

[Gliwmaeden2]

The Eero has security and updates. No worries there, @Martin398k.

More information about how these work here:

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/eerosetup

Use the forum search engine. There's a lot of detailed information in there about every aspect of setting up with Full Fibre, different routers, adapters etc.

Eg:

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Articles/Digital-Voice-Adapter/ta-p/2815435

[Martin398k]

Thank you very much, yes, it does indeed help.     I haven’t a clue if an eero is included.   (I’ve just had to read up on eeros to find out what they are: I currently use a single access point in the loft to extend range, but it’s not WiFi6, of course.)       I’m not sure I’d want to connect an eero: I see it as yet another device whose security will be suspect and which probably has no provision for firmware updates or security patches.

You mentioned a compatible adapter to connect to my third-party router; I was expecting that the master unit (base station?) for the digital (landline) telephone handsets would connect to a LAN port on my Asus router via an Ethernet cable.      Is that not the case?    What then does the adapter do, and what is the correct name of it (so I can get one in advance).

Many thanks,

Martin

[ferguson]

You should be able to use your existing router.

But, it gets a bit more complicated when it comes to phones. There is technically a way to connect corded handsets, but it is quite complicated and could prove costly as it would involve extensive wiring. Frankly, it would be better to bite the bullet and invest in a new set of cordless handsets.

Also, you will need either a compatible adapter to connect to your router, which TalkTalk would include if your service includes an eero. Or, they will send you a new router which will include a phone port which you can connect to directly.

Hope this helps?