Upgrading to full fibre - questions

[Weevie]

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2021/12/solutions-for-battery-backup-of-fibre-broadband-and-vo... says that by the end of THIS year (2025) - BT are shutting down the copper network, meaning that we will all be on FTTP by this time.

I have a few questions :

Since my contract doesn't expire until November 2026 - I assume that when my connection is upgraded, it will be at the same price as FTTC (£31 inc unlimited calls) - also that TalkTalk will provide a battery back up for my existing telephone connection - I am disabled and need a working home phone 24/7 for communicating with hospitals etc.

Could someone please provide a rough date when this will be completed - since I don't want this to be done at the last minute. The uncertainty will not be good for my health.

[ferguson]

@Weevie 

You could try HereToHelp@talktalkplc.com, but I have no idea whether they can arrange an upgrade for you. 

[Weevie]

@Gliwmaeden2 

Yes I have and I am not hearing impaired - I am speech impaired

But NGT is worse than useless - I have tried it before and it was so slow that I was able to eat a 3 course meal between answers

Text Relay is also not really helpful - because it depends on who picks up the phone at your end, and have had some "painful" chats in the past - and ended up giving up.....

Is there no email address that I can communicate via ?

I don't expect TT staff to set up anything for me - just a hand will suffice

[Gliwmaeden2]

@Weevie, have you explored the accessibility features that Talktalk makes available, which may help you with the communications for an upgrade?

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Hearing-Impairment/bd-p/tta-hearing

Forum staff are not authorised to set up sales / upgrades for you.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Weevie 

I can't comment on that as I am just a customer. I will ask the TalkTalk staff to advise you.

[Weevie]

@KeithFrench 

@Chris-TalkTalk 

I have still not been "offered" a full fibre upgrade - but on checking https://www.talktalk.co.uk/broadband/fttp - the full range is available to me (from 65Mb full fibre to 900Mb full fibre)

I think that 500Mb is adequate

Why was this not offered "automatically"  to me - as a TT customer for 22 years  - why did I have to discover myself

I do need a phone, or rather the OH does - so if I add a phone line at £2 - can I transfer my existing calls package (£6 per month) ?

And please don't suggest "live chat" because from experience - this is beyond them

Remember that I can't communicate via phone (disabled) - so will need an alternative way of communicating with sales/loyalty ?

Also - I will need a UPS / Backup power supply for the phone - due to nature of my disability

[Chris-TalkTalk]

Hi Weevie,

As Keith has said, if you speak to loyalty they may be able to help

Chris

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Weevie 

Have you tried calling the Loyalty team (0345 1725157)? If you want the free upgrade, then you most likely will have to wait until it is offered to you. Just because it is available in your road, it does not mean that TalkTalk can utilise it as yet. However, Loyalty will be able to confirm that for you.

[Weevie]

It seems that TT are not really interested in upgrading my line to full fibre

Since I know that it IS available and has been for a good 12 months

Yet on MYACCOUNT - Offers and Upgrades is BLANK !

no upgrades are available

Can someone please explain that to me ?

In the meantime - just received an email from TT informing me that my service would cost an additional £3 from April 23rd

I thought that "vulnerable customers" were fixed price for the duration of their contract ?

[Divsec]

Hi @Weevie the open reach info was the latest on their website, but it is widely known that the copper deadline will not be met in full.

Only Talktalk can answer your other questions, I don't even have an opinion as my address will be one of the last to get full fibre.

I know from memory that you don't enjoy phone calls and that the team here will do their best to help you get conclusive answers.

Good luck!

[Weevie]

@Divsec 

Yes, full fibre IS available at my address

Am I correct in thinking that because I contracted at a set/fixed price - when copper is no longer available and full fibre is the only option - that TT will have to supply like-with-like at the same charge as at present ?

ie) unlimited call package with a data connection at £32 as at present ?

Because I do need a phone

So it does seem that TWO battery back ups are supplied - one for the router and one for the phone  ??

Your "latest news from openreach" was dated 2023 - so has probably been superceded ?

[Gliwmaeden2]

@Weevie, check the offers pages on the main Talktalk website  - battery back up is mentioned in the small print there.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Weevie 

From my experience, when I upgraded, there was no mention of battery backup. The information in an email just said that you should keep a mobile phone on at all times in case of an emergency during a power cut. Perhaps they might offer this facility to disabled customers, you would need to check this with TalkTalk.

[Divsec]

Hi @Weevie latest press from open reach says January 2027

https://www.openreach.com/news-and-opinion/2023/openreach-change-telephone-network

So no need to worry just yet. Is full fibre available in your location at the moment

There is a popup right at the bottom of this page for you to check

https://www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband/ultrafast-full-fibre-broadband