Broadband and the "copper turn off" in 2025 (UK)

[exxos]

Been looking at Zen Internet as they offer a static IP standard it seems. Though I also find their packages confusing as well

For example this one is the cheapest package which says includes the phone line.
https://www.zen.co.uk/broadband/fast-broadband

But on another packages It says no phone line rental. I'm presuming they mean "copper phone line rental" ?!
It also does not specifically say that voice calls can be used with a landline phone as you would do normally.

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In fact it mentions a " digital voice package" which I'm not sure if that is needed for is optional extras for the " landline phone"

https://www.zen.co.uk/phone/digital-voice#whatsincluded

EDIT:

"Digital voice is an additional £6 on your broadband bundle"

So 35 + 6 then = £41 a month

[exxos]

ah bugger.

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I would have expected it to be listed in the configuration options

[exxos]

Now day 3 and no reply from zen. It sounds my alarm bells when companies don't reply to emails in a timely manner.

This advert popped up on Facebook , never heard of them.
https://www.hyperoptic.com/why-hyperoptic/
Seems they can employ staff to reply to Facebook messages. So asked them a coupl of questions. Doubt they offer a static IP though.

Edit:
They offer static IP for £5 a month according to their website. But they don't support my area, so nevermind then

[stephen_usher]

Zen's support is usually very good and they consistently come at the top of the customer service rankings.

I'd have a chat on the phone if I were you as you never know these days whether mail systems are blocking message delivery. It's become a major problem, as you've discovered with your customers.

[peters]

Last year I changed one phone line to a silent line (incoming only) with broadband through my isp.

I recently tried to change another only to be told that i couldn't because phone lines were being discontinued after 2025. This was the first I had heard of this, obviously communication is not the strong suit of BT and others !!

I have no idea how this is going to work out how they are actually going to install the new lines.

Then I saw the prices. I reckon it will cost me double what I'm paying now for a broadband and a phone line I don't really need.

It just looks like they are using it as another opportunity to rip us off.

[exxos]

@peters Yes my price would be doubling with my current provider is why I'm looking around at alternatives. Sky do it all for £39.50 a month for example. The copper lines are going, so everything has to be fibre now.

I have no idea how this is all going to work because I do have specific requirements such as the static IP address. Was preferred to keep it but nothing is ever that simple as it.

They dug up our road last year ( and indeed all over the place) sorting out the fibre cables. We still only have "fibre to the Cabinet" basically on the last leg of the journey is still copper. That system will still work after 2025 but will ultimately get replaced anyway.

The problem I have with Idnet, as they are basically going to double my "line rental" While others are including it "free" in the board price.

The package I have a bandwidth limit of 50GB per month. So it is a cheaper package. However nobody does that any more and it has to be unlimited. So that puts my bill up at least £10 a month right from the start. Broadband with IDnet works out more expensive than Skys "all inclusive" package. I honestly don't think the level of support given at IDnet is worth £250+ extra per year. I do think it has been declining over the years but generally it has been "OK" I guess. Anyway the price hike from limited to unlimited broadband is enough of a jump for me in one go. The price jump for the complete package ends up being a £300+ price jump per year.

I think for a lot of people who change over, it would probably be a lot more simple. You basically get a new router (with Zen at least) where you can plug in your old analogue phones, use your existing house phone wiring if you need to for voice calls etc The likely a BT engineer will have to come out and set it up as they would have to actually connect your house to the fibre network.

BT are already starting to turn off exchanges. One reason why I want to get it sorted in April when my package expires next year, because imagine the chaos in 2025 when everyone realises their phones do not work any more..

[peters]

@exxos
I'm with Freeola who use BT and they offer static ip.

[exxos]

@exxos
I'm with Freeola who use BT and they offer static ip.

Not heard of them but looked up the prices.. Certainly competitive at first glance.

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[peters]

I've been using them since before adsl.

Their service is pretty good and they respond quite well with the few issues I've had.

[exxos]

I've been using them since before adsl.

Their service is pretty good and they respond quite well with the few issues I've had.

It seems they do a £12 "Cashback" offer. Even though I would not depend on getting at indefinitely you can swap that cashback for email or web space etc. Not bothered about the webspace but the email service would be useful. But their page has email settings where it does not actually telling the settings In any case it is £2.65, so if the offer expired it would go up by that per month. So I would have to take these into consideration as well.

I might email them a few random things and see if they reply black in a timely manner.