Getting fibre, now how do i get my telkom number to work off it?

[Rickster]

Im sure many are asking this question but havent made a thread about it, no that we use the phone much but it it possible to have out telkom number on fiber for ±the same amount we paying telkom?

 

[isie]

Im sure many are asking this question but havent made a thread about it, no that we use the phone much but it it possible to have out telkom number on fiber for ~the same amount we paying telkom?

Yes you can request your phone number be ported to your new ISP - as for cost this will be dependent on your ISP.

 

[Rickster]

Yes you can request your phone number be ported to your new ISP - as for cost this will be dependent on your ISP.

You can port landline numbers?

Wow.

 

[isie]

You can port landline numbers?

Wow.

yep - porting works for landlines too now (same rules apply can only port every 3 months and as long as not on contract)
and of course need to get a new fancy VOIP phone - and you need to make both Telkom and the new ISP aware that you want to keep your number.

if you going with Telkom its much easier as they transfer the number across.

 

[rph72]

Line costs about the same across ISP's?

 

[Geoff.D]

The downside is the fact that it is now a VoIP service ! :twisted:

No IF ever I get the opportunity I will most definitely NOT be migrating my phone line to fibre unless forced to do so.

 

[ponder]

The downside is the fact that it is now a VoIP service ! :twisted:

No IF ever I get the opportunity I will most definitely NOT be migrating my phone line to fibre unless forced to do so.

Mine works fine on openserve, got my same old analogue phone plugged into the ont.

 

[Cius]

The downside is the fact that it is now a VoIP service ! :twisted:

No IF ever I get the opportunity I will most definitely NOT be migrating my phone line to fibre unless forced to do so.

Care to elaborate on why this is a bad thing. Genuinely curious as I am considering killing my telkom line when I switch to fibre and going VOIP phone.

 

[Geoff.D]

Mine works fine on openserve, got my same old analogue phone plugged into the ont.

I am sure it does. For me it is about a phone service that is totally independent of local power etc. Unless Telkom come along and pull out the PSTN switch in my area or recover the copper, my analogue phone stays exactly where it is, on the copper line. They will pry that analogue handset out of my hands before they bury me!

 

[Sinbad]

Ups and genny.

Also, voip calls a damn sight cheaper than telkom.

 

[Geoff.D]

Ups and genny.

Also, voip calls a damn sight cheaper than telkom.

So do the total life cycle cost calculation.

The downside: the portion of the cost of the UPS and genny, and its running costs and the replacement costs, weighed against the line rental and call costs. I know which side wins out.

 

[Sinbad]

Ups and genny are there regardless.

 

[Geoff.D]

Ups and genny are there regardless.

Ja for you maybe, not for the rest of us ordinary plebs. Yes I have a UPS but that is as far as it goes.

 

[silkenphoenixx]

Check these guys out:
http://www.freshphone.co.za/

 

[savage]

The downside is the fact that it is now a VoIP service ! :twisted:

No IF ever I get the opportunity I will most definitely NOT be migrating my phone line to fibre unless forced to do so.

And what you more than likely don't realize is that the majority of Telkom's voice, is already actually converted and carried as VoIP on their networks.

The analogue phone, as you know it, is dead.

There's nothing wrong with VoIP if it is done properly.

 

[Geoff.D]

And what you more than likely don't realize is that the majority of Telkom's voice, is already actually converted and carried as VoIP on their networks.

The analogue phone, as you know it, is dead.

There's nothing wrong with VoIP if it is done properly.

Oh of course it is converted. The moment the network went "digital", it was "converted", first to proprietary standards then to IP. The issue is NOT how the backbone is handled but that the last mile is over a copper line and powered centrally from the exchange. It is the last mile part of VoIP that I have a huge dislike for.

I did not spend 28 years directly involved in the process and learn nothing ..... I still have full set of SAPO spec number 7 in my possession .....

The analogue phone is most certainly not dead ...... quite yet. If it was, my own analogue phones ( with gold plated contacts I might add) will not work anymore. Mysteriously it still functions perfectly well.

 

[bokka1]

I am also looking into doing this.

So if I want to port my landline number then I must port it to my current ISP?

 

[Geoff.D]

I am also looking into doing this.

So if I want to port my landline number then I must port it to my current ISP?

Yes to the ISP providing the fibre service to you. I am not sure if one could stay with Telkom for your fixed line telephone service when using another ISPs fibre termination. It really depends on how OpenServe sort out the line terminations.

A good question to ask I suppose IF one day I get the opportunity to convert from ADSL to fibre.

 

[savage]

Yes to the ISP providing the fibre service to you. I am not sure if one could stay with Telkom for your fixed line telephone service when using another ISPs fibre termination. It really depends on how OpenServe sort out the line terminations.

A good question to ask I suppose IF one day I get the opportunity to convert from ADSL to fibre.

Uhm. No... You can port your number to *any* VoIP provider - even Telkom. It does not HAVE to be your ISP. Frankly, many ISPs do not even offer voice services.

Depending on how OpenServe installs the fiber the copper is pulled out (used as a draw wire) very often when the fiber is pulled in. Your POTS is then converted to VoIP which is provided by Telkom. Unless you port your number, or get a new number from your VoIP provider, your voice service remains at Telkom - whether it's POTS or VoIP, copper or fiber.

Yes the ONT Telkom provides does have POTS ports (2 I think), and your existing analogue phone can be used in this case. If you port your number to another service provider, you more than likely will need a VoIP phone yes (well worth it in any case).

As for the copper cable... If there's fiber in the area and the copper get's stolen and/or damaged, I am fairly confident Telkom won't bother to replace it. Frankly, even in areas where there aren't fiber, getting Telkom to replace stolen and/or damaged cables is already frequently not happening.

 

[Geoff.D]

Thanks for the info. So far there is no sign of OpenServe totally replacing the copper in our area. The copper and fibre is overhead and brand new ducts/pipes and road crossing were installed for the fibre runs. They are not using the copper cables as draw wires.

For me it is then a "wait and see" situation.