VOIP
 

Letter today from VM saying that VOIP will replace the existing phone line from 1 November. They will supply an adapter to connect our cordless phone to the Superhub, has anyone got details of the length of the cable they supply with the adapter?

Re: VOIP
 

The adapter has a cable not even 5cm long which connects directly to your phone cable.
Instead of plugging your phone into the socket on the wall you plug it in to your adapter in your router.

Re: VOIP
 

Thanks, that's pretty much what I thought so I'll buy an extension cable.

Re: VOIP
 

It's definitely a downgrade. Having a phone line independent of your broadband and electricity supply is a much more robust service.

I haven't heard anything about it yet and my phone line is separate. Maybe that's because I have an SH2, if so I won't be changing it !

Re: VOIP
 

You'll be required to at some point to make a choice. If you keep the SH2 then your line will be disconnected and your bundle adjusted to be for your remaining services.

If you want to keep your line you'll need to upgrade to the Hub offered that includes the phone support.

Re: VOIP
 

When will 'some point' though? ;)

Tbh I'm not a 'vulnerable', customer so not a big deal, but many are and depend on their landline. A voip service isn't as reliable.

VM should pay for any extra extensions and cables though. Have they mentioned that in 'the letter'?

Re: VOIP
 

Between now and 2025.

Re: VOIP
 

Ah well i expect VM will wait till the last moment before having to upgrade their customers equipment !

Re: VOIP
 

What if you have the required hub, but simply decide you dont want a VOIP line - will they just remove it from your contract ?

Re: VOIP
 

I should imagine so.

Re: VOIP
 

Anyone with a compatible Hub would be switched over automatically by default. Whether that's done via the adapter being sent out or by an engineer appointment is up to the customer after they receive the notification.

To remove the phone service would be a bundle change.

Customers Virgin Media know are vulnerable are contacted by agents rather than just having an email or postal communications.

Re: VOIP
 

About a month ago I too received the adaptor and was told I will be told when to plug it in, and not to do yet as my phone wouldn't work.


Well on Wednesday I couldn't receive any calls, but could make them not good when you are waiting an important call about my dad.


On Thursday my phone was completely dean, so I called them on Friday, and they said I had been switched to VOIP.


So I ran some extension cable I had pre bought in anticipation of this, so now I'm back up and running.


My only concern in that if there is a power cut I'll have no landline, but hopefully the mobile will still work.

Indeed..... The quality is crappy.....

We have digital phone from cable co. and it blows..... I would love having a land line again!

Re: VOIP
 

Power cuts will be even more problematic if people are cut off for X number of hours a day because of the shortage of gas

The VOIP phone will also stop working if your broadband goes down.

---------- Post added at 01:05 ---------- Previous post was at 01:01 ----------

I am and i'm dreading this. I believe that vulnerable customers are given a back up battery in case of power cuts, but what's the use of this if it's the broadband that's down?

Re: VOIP
 

It uses a mobile phone connection, not broadband.

Everytime the power goes out we lose our phone... Yes we have a battery but the company does not keep the amps active so it doesnt work........ (I think 1 time I remember they did activate the amps about 20 mins after power dropped)

It really does suck,not a good phone system at all!!!

Re: VOIP
 

Am I right in thinking that the VOIP sound is poor quality?

Re: VOIP
 

I didn't notice a drop when I changed over

Re: VOIP
 

I would expect them to be better, not worse, the frequency spread of standard phone calls is very narrow (300 Hz to 3.4 kHz) thats why the always sound like they do.

I would hope VOIP does better. I certainly notice that calls using the internet on other systems (like skype, teams etc) sound far better than standard phone calls.

Re: VOIP
 

I think it's fine, no sound loss or any interference.

Re: VOIP
 

As far as I understand it the Hub based lines currently aim to replicate the analogue service as much as possible to ensure compatibility with existing analogue line handsets.

Some other solutions deployed by BT / Openreach need new devices that are IP to the handset and offer 'HD' call quality due to that, but as far as I can see only work with the ISP specific Hub.

Personal view is that once all (or most) customers are moved to the Hub based lines, then Virgin Media will look at how and whether it's worth doing the same.

Re: VOIP
 

Does that mean a reduction of the bill, from memory phone line is £19 per month . Never use it so a welcome saving . :D

Yes in my opinion... I was recently at a friends house who is on a DMS 100 switch (Same one I was on in the 90s) and the quality is absolutely goregous compared to this cable system trash!!

Re: VOIP
 

Due to the supposed change to the Telephone line, My hub is in a back bedroom and i have two telephone sockets in the property(Living room and kitchen), ideally i would like to keep the router where it is so i am looking into upgrading the handset to a phone which has a base station to connect to the router, then two handsets can be placed into both rooms.

Any recommendations?

Re: VOIP
 

I have the set up you are looking at. I have four Panasonic hand sets with a base station spread through out the house and not any problems.

Re: VOIP
 

So do I kitchen bedroom and study , wonder why as it is only ever cold calling . Never use them to make a call :erm: and they are Panasonic phones !

Re: VOIP
 

What happens to customers who only have virgin TV and landline? Are they going to be forced to have internet access or no landline? What if they are vulnerable customers who dont have internet? Will they just be cut off from a landline?

Re: VOIP
 

They get a hub that doesn't have internet access enabled.

Re: VOIP
 

Thanks Spider

Re: VOIP
 

ATM the majority of 21CV connections still go back to the existing switched headend exchanges, so all that is replaced is the copper pair between your house & the nearest optical node. When the exchanges are shut down & full VoIP is enabled, then perhaps you will find the line rental gets absorbed into your Broadband charge.

Re: VOIP
 

Have no idea what all that means, :erm: but the fact that I will stil have to pay for something I have no use for , doesn't surprise me:p: