ADSL/VDSL connection with analogue phone line after January 2027

[damiansmart]

Can anyone shed some light on what will happen to Talk Talk ADSL/VDSL customers who use a Talk Talk modem/router connection with their analogue telephone line after January 2027 when the analogue phone system is turned off?

The information about this seems a little sketchy. Are Talk Talk intending to contact customers who are using DSL via copper wire to inform them about what they will be offering to keep customers broadband and phones working?

We have the option to switch to either of two full fibre providers (Gigaclear and Swish Fibre) who have installed fibre outside our property. However, their prices are way too expensive after the initial 18 month contract period, especially as we don't require the additional bandwidth they offer, even for their slowest speed fibre connections.

At the moment I am quite happy to stay with Talk Talk as my broadband provider. When the analogue phone system is switched off next year I would still like a DSL connection via copper, but It's unclear if this will be possible.

Apologies if this has already been answered elsewhere.

[Catwoman1]

Will share "the answers" I'm given, here, afterwards. For the benefit of other concerned FTTC TalkTalk customers. 🙃 

[siphosethu-TT]

Great, I wish you a wonderful day ahead. 

[Catwoman1]

Hoping so. 🤞

I'll be calling in at 9.00am on the dot. ☺️ 

[siphosethu-TT]

As soon as you call in, I'm sure all these questions will be answered for you.

[Catwoman1]

 

[Catwoman1]

Hi there, 🙂

Thank you, thinking I definitely need to. Though, it would be nice for TalkTalk to publicly document how this is all going to work come January 31st 2027.

The only public reference I've found, is this TalkTalk community blog. Whilst reassuring, is very out-dated and gives no detail:

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Our-Blog/Copper-Telephone-Network-Switch-Off-What-does-it-mean-f...

[siphosethu-TT]

Hi there @Catwoman1, please call in on the number below and they will explain everything to you. Our loyalty team should have more information on this if you have questions.

03451720088

Monday - Friday 9am - 7pm ; Saturday - 9am - 6pm ; Sunday - Closed

[Catwoman1]

Having done a bit of digging, it's looking like, unlike other ISPs, TalkTalk do not offer SoGEA?! Therefore, how does TalkTalk's *special* back end work? How will FTTC with phone customers be transferred to data only packages/systems, without the need to have FTTP installed?! 

Goodness, so many questions! 

[Catwoman1]

I'm hopeful TalkTalk will automatically and seamlessly switch FTTC broadband and phone customers to SoGEA via their back office.

It should not be left to customers to initiate the simple package and systems change. Otherwise, a catastrophic amount of customers will fall between the cracks after Jan 2027.

As with ADSL SoTAP adaptions. TalkTalk needs to be proactive, not rely on customers knowing what to do. TalkTalk seem to, for now, just to be pushing Full Fibre installs in preparation. Rather than the alternative, existing systems, which will work after Jan 2027 with simple tweaks.

Apologies, for the continued editing and the reposting of my above post. Had to rewrite a few parts not clearly explained. I don't wish to add further confusion to an already fraught and confusing topic. 

[Catwoman1]

I've communicated at length with TalkTalk regarding this upcoming situation (there's also a blog article within the community pages) they are stating it's a bit less final (thankfully) and more complicated than that.

I work for a company aiding the elderly. We needed to know precisely how the PSTN switch off on January 2027 would affect our elderly clients.

After the PSTN/copper phone exchange is retired, ADSL (SoTAP) will continue to operate as will VDSL (SoGEA). 

People with FTTC broadband and phone, come January 2027, their copper phone service (PSTN) will cease to work, but their broadband will continue on as normal but via a data only package/SoGEA (a simple package choice switch pre-PSTN switch off).

Switching to VOIP for voice calls via a simple router and the package upgrade via SoGEA, if they wish to continue to have a phone line with TalkTalk. This service should continue for at least another decade and beyond.

On the other hand, ADSL broadband's future is less clear. TalkTalk's got their own unique back end delivery sytem and can still deliver broadband minus voice via ASDL beyond January 2027. And telephone via a special indoor adaptor inserted into DSL socket at the wall or/and an add on at the broadband exchange. In some situations/locations, not all. However, for how long that shall continue remains unclear???

The copper wired network is not being riped out. It remains in place. BT/Openreach are merely switching off (retiring) their *phone services* over copper. Which has a knock on effect with older FTTC with phone connections = simple package change to SoGEA to solve and future proof. 

And affects ADSL phone lines.

Those already on a SoGEA/data only VDSL package are already future proofed their broadband for the January 2027.

There's so much misinformation and scaremongering out there, unfortunately.

People who haven't got Full Fibre installed can still enjoy an internet connection after January 2027 with no new building/line installs. I would, however, advise those still on ADSL to switch to VDSL/SoGEA if available. Which is carried out with flick of a switch by Open Reach, if wishing to avoid a stressful, messy install of Full Fibre. Indeed, FF may still not be available in certain areas. (Full Fibre installs all too often result in an unsuccessful and faulty install. Cue more stress, more visits, and lack of a vital service, until all sorted out). In order to future proof their connection for at least the coming decade.

[ferguson]

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@damiansmart wrote:

When the analogue phone system is switched off next year I would still like a DSL connection via copper, but It's unclear if this will be possible.

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On that specific point: no. The DSL service relies on the analogue phone line to work, it will cease. 

[fr8ys]

When it's time to convert to full fibre you will be contacted about options.

If you wish to retain a "landline" it will become VOIP and your phone will plug into the router. Your old copper line will be disconnected as it is the intention to turn off this whole system.

If you wish to maintain your existing phone number you will need to specify this when signing up to full fibre, otherwise you will be allocated a new number and your old number lost to you.