LANDLINE WARNING - Just so you don't fall into the same trap that I did

[ntlworldrefugee]

Hi all,

I'm posting this as a warning to anyone who is thinking of getting a 'landline' added to their package.

I've been a Virgin Media customer for many, many years since they took over NTLWorld. I recently changed my package to include my landline phone - previously with Talk Talk. What no one at Virgin told me throughout the whole process was that it would be an 'internet' only landline i.e. I need to plug my phone into the router.

Therefore, if your broadband goes down, you will have NO TELEPHONE TO MAKE EMERGENCY CALLS. Please be aware of this in relation to your own particular circumstances and your need to have a reliable landline.

I have raised an official complaint with Virgin as I believe they have mis-sold me the landline package.

[Martin_N]

Hi ntlworldrefugee,

Thank you for your post. I'm sorry to hear you weren't advised with regards to this. 

When did you take out the landline services?

^Martin

[Richw1982]

This is the same with all providers, all providers are scrapping their traditional phone lines by 2025.  You can get a battery backup unit though which will allow 999 calls

[ntlworldrefugee]

Apologies if this is duplicated elsewhere. I thought I had already posted something on this subject, but I can't find it!

I recently updated my package to move my landline from Talk Talk. What Virgin didn't tell me at anytime during the 'upgrade' process was that they only do 'broadband' landlines. I only found this out when my landline stopped working. After a long and painful session with support, I had to plug my phone into the router to make it work.

If your broadband goes down you will not be able to make any calls including emergencies.

Please bear this in mind when opting for a 'landline' with Virgin Media.

[japitts · Accepted solution]

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@ntlworldrefugee wrote:

Apologies if this is duplicated elsewhere. I thought I had already posted something on this subject, but I can't find it!

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Click on your username in the top-left of your post, and you'll go to your profile page which lists all your forum posts.

[Chris_W1]

Hi ntlworldrefugee, thanks for the message and welcome back to the forums. With phones lines they are either on 21CV or the old TDM which is via the telephone lines. All landline will eventually move to the 21CV service. - Chris

[ntlworldrefugee]

Sorry, I'm just a customer. What does 21CV and TDM stand for?

[ntlworldrefugee]

How would the 'battery backup unit' work and will Virgin supply one?

[goslow]

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@ntlworldrefugee wrote:
Sorry, I'm just a customer. What does 21CV and TDM stand for?

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21CV = 21st century voice = VM's marketing name for a phone connection from the back of the hub
TDM = Time division multiplexing = the phone technology running the conventional/historical public switched telephone network (PTSN)

[goslow]

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@ntlworldrefugee wrote:
How would the 'battery backup unit' work and will Virgin supply one?

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Battery backup is not really what the device does. It doesn't power the landline phone or anything like that. It's a fail-over device. If the unit detects the main landline is not working it allows 999 calls only to be made via the mobile network.

See pages 35 to 37 in the VM phone user guide

https://store.virginmedia.com/content/dam/eSales/Downloads/Phone%20User%20Guide.pdf

These general links explain the phone changeover process in more detail

https://www.virginmedia.com/help/home-phone/virginphone/switchover

https://www.virginmedia.com/help/home-phone/virginphone

https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Virgin-Phone-Switchover/gh-p/Switchover

https://www.futureofvoice.co.uk/