• Re: ex-Landlines

    From Woody@harrogate3@ntlworld.com to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 19:10:45 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Fri 20/03/2026 08:53, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
    On 20/03/2026 07:36, Davey wrote:
    On Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:52:32 +0000
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 22:19, Jeff Layman wrote:
    Out of interest, where there's the last piece of FTTP carried
    overground from a telephone pole to a house, is it still referred
    to as a "dropwire" or something else?
    I think that's how the engineer referred to mine...


    Somehow 'Dropfibre' or 'Dropglass' just don't sound right.

    A cable doesn't have to be metal. Drop cable is probably a decent way to describe it



    Don't forget that the fibre overhead is supported by a wire in the same housing. In Staindrop (Co Durham) the other day I saw a fibre overhead
    that I have just measured on Google Maps as 56m - with no visible droop.
    --- Synchronet 3.21e-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Sat Mar 21 09:50:22 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 20/03/2026 19:10, Woody wrote:
    On Fri 20/03/2026 08:53, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
    On 20/03/2026 07:36, Davey wrote:
    On Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:52:32 +0000
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 22:19, Jeff Layman wrote:
    Out of interest, where there's the last piece of FTTP carried
    overground from a telephone pole to a house, is it still referred
    to as a "dropwire" or something else?
    I think that's how the engineer referred to mine...


    Somehow 'Dropfibre' or 'Dropglass' just don't sound right.

    A cable doesn't have to be metal. Drop cable is probably a decent way
    to describe it



    Don't forget that the fibre overhead is supported by a wire in the same housing. In Staindrop (Co Durham) the other day I saw a fibre overhead
    that I have just measured on Google Maps as 56m - with no visible droop.

    That;s about what mine is
    --
    "The great thing about Glasgow is that if there's a nuclear attack it'll
    look exactly the same afterwards."

    Billy Connolly

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jeff Layman@Jeff@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Sat Mar 21 10:25:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 20/03/2026 19:10, Woody wrote:
    On Fri 20/03/2026 08:53, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
    On 20/03/2026 07:36, Davey wrote:
    On Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:52:32 +0000
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 22:19, Jeff Layman wrote:
    Out of interest, where there's the last piece of FTTP carried
    overground from a telephone pole to a house, is it still referred
    to as a "dropwire" or something else?
    I think that's how the engineer referred to mine...


    Somehow 'Dropfibre' or 'Dropglass' just don't sound right.

    A cable doesn't have to be metal. Drop cable is probably a decent way to
    describe it



    Don't forget that the fibre overhead is supported by a wire in the same housing. In Staindrop (Co Durham) the other day I saw a fibre overhead
    that I have just measured on Google Maps as 56m - with no visible droop.

    Are you talking about the "FO cable" which can contain two pairs of
    copper wire as well as the FO line itself, so connection can be retained
    over the copper wire until FTTP is complete? Or are you talking about FO
    cable which can contain wire to support the weight of the cable and stop
    it stretching? If the latter, do you have a link to show its construction?
    --
    Jeff
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Sat Mar 21 10:43:22 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 21/03/2026 10:25, Jeff Layman wrote:
    Are you talking about the "FO cable" which can contain two pairs of
    copper wire as well as the FO line itself, so connection can be retained over the copper wire until FTTP is complete? Or are you talking about FO cable which can contain wire to support the weight of the cable and stop
    it stretching? If the latter, do you have a link to show its construction?

    Either or both. I have fibre + copper, but I also have a stranded steel
    core for strength
    --
    "First, find out who are the people you can not criticise. They are your oppressors."
    - George Orwell

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.telecom on Sat Mar 21 14:04:59 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 2026/3/20 19:10:45, Woody wrote:
    []
    Don't forget that the fibre overhead is supported by a wire in the same housing. In Staindrop (Co Durham) the other day I saw a fibre overhead
    that I have just measured on Google Maps as 56m - with no visible droop.

    (StainDROP seems an appropriate place for this discussion!) If it's 56m
    with no visible droop at today's (OK, yesterday's) temperatures, one
    wonders how much it will contract in extreme cold weather.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    Odds are, the phrase "It's none of my business" will be followed by "but".
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Richmond@dnomhcir@gmx.com to uk.telecom on Sat Mar 21 14:10:53 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> writes:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the
    same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.

    How about 'protocol metaphor'.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From snipeco.2@snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) to uk.telecom on Sat Mar 21 15:29:43 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:

    On 2026/3/20 19:10:45, Woody wrote:
    []
    Don't forget that the fibre overhead is supported by a wire in the same housing. In Staindrop (Co Durham) the other day I saw a fibre overhead
    that I have just measured on Google Maps as 56m - with no visible droop.

    (StainDROP seems an appropriate place for this discussion!) If it's 56m
    with no visible droop at today's (OK, yesterday's) temperatures, one
    wonders how much it will contract in extreme cold weather.

    If it was sufficiently cold to cause enough contraction, presumably the
    tension would increase until the elastic limit was reached and the wire
    would then break or strain permanently to relieve that stress.
    --
    ^-^. Sn!pe, bird-brain. My pet rock Gordon just is.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From David Wade@g4ugm@dave.invalid to uk.telecom on Sat Mar 21 17:28:40 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 21/03/2026 14:04, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/3/20 19:10:45, Woody wrote:
    []
    Don't forget that the fibre overhead is supported by a wire in the same
    housing. In Staindrop (Co Durham) the other day I saw a fibre overhead
    that I have just measured on Google Maps as 56m - with no visible droop.

    (StainDROP seems an appropriate place for this discussion!) If it's 56m
    with no visible droop at today's (OK, yesterday's) temperatures, one
    wonders how much it will contract in extreme cold weather.

    I used to go to school in Staindrop. Its always cold....

    Dave
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.telecom on Sat Mar 21 18:42:27 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 2026/3/21 17:28:40, David Wade wrote:
    On 21/03/2026 14:04, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/3/20 19:10:45, Woody wrote:
    []
    Don't forget that the fibre overhead is supported by a wire in the same
    housing. In Staindrop (Co Durham) the other day I saw a fibre overhead
    that I have just measured on Google Maps as 56m - with no visible droop.

    (StainDROP seems an appropriate place for this discussion!) If it's 56m
    with no visible droop at today's (OK, yesterday's) temperatures, one
    wonders how much it will contract in extreme cold weather.

    I used to go to school in Staindrop. Its always cold....

    Dave
    :-) [Barnard Castle for me.]

    As for Sn!pe's response: yes, breaking was what I was thinking of;
    permanent stretching hadn't occurred to me. Though brittleness tends to increase at low temperatures, so maybe breaking is more likely?

    Tempting to say global warning means it won't happen, but since climate
    change is a more accurate description, maybe we _will_ still get cold
    snaps. Snaps being the operative word.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Sat Mar 21 22:47:38 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 21/03/2026 15:29, Sn!pe wrote:
    f it was sufficiently cold to cause enough contraction, presumably the tension would increase until the elastic limit was reached and the wire
    would then break or strain permanently to relieve that stress.

    Unlikely to reach the elastic limit.

    Just tune up a few semitones
    --
    rCLA leader is best When people barely know he exists. Of a good leader,
    who talks little,When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,They will say,
    rCLWe did this ourselves.rCY

    rCo Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Trolleybus@ken@birchanger.com to uk.telecom on Sun Mar 22 10:39:12 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Sat, 21 Mar 2026 18:42:27 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver"
    <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:

    On 2026/3/21 17:28:40, David Wade wrote:
    On 21/03/2026 14:04, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/3/20 19:10:45, Woody wrote:
    []
    Don't forget that the fibre overhead is supported by a wire in the same >>>> housing. In Staindrop (Co Durham) the other day I saw a fibre overhead >>>> that I have just measured on Google Maps as 56m - with no visible droop. >>>
    (StainDROP seems an appropriate place for this discussion!) If it's 56m
    with no visible droop at today's (OK, yesterday's) temperatures, one
    wonders how much it will contract in extreme cold weather.

    I used to go to school in Staindrop. Its always cold....

    Dave
    :-) [Barnard Castle for me.]

    As for Sn!pe's response: yes, breaking was what I was thinking of;
    permanent stretching hadn't occurred to me. Though brittleness tends to >increase at low temperatures, so maybe breaking is more likely?

    Tempting to say global warning means it won't happen, but since climate >change is a more accurate description, maybe we _will_ still get cold
    snaps. Snaps being the operative word.

    Except that whatever we call the Gulf Stream these days (North
    Atlantic Conveyer?) has reduced by about a third over recent times and
    may well stop entirely. We'll then have temperatures more in line with
    our latitude.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Andy Burns@usenet@andyburns.uk to uk.telecom on Tue Mar 24 08:41:18 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    Jeff Layman wrote:

    Are you talking about the "FO cable" which can contain two pairs of
    copper wire as well as the FO line itself, so connection can be retained over the copper wire until FTTP is complete? Or are you talking about FO cable which can contain wire to support the weight of the cable and stop
    it stretching? If the latter, do you have a link to show its construction?

    I can find antenna cable that includes kevlar strength members, e.g.

    <https://www.wireantennas.co.uk/kevlar-range>

    But all the phone cable drop wires I can see use stainless steel, e.g.

    <https://www.fscables.com/products/bt-drop-wire.html>

    I remember the older GPO figure-8 dropwire which was copper clad steel
    aka drop wire No 6, where there wasn't a separate strength member (good
    at knackering your wire-cutters).
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From liz@liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham) to uk.telecom on Tue Mar 24 09:06:14 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    Jeff Layman wrote:

    Are you talking about the "FO cable" which can contain two pairs of
    copper wire as well as the FO line itself, so connection can be retained over the copper wire until FTTP is complete? Or are you talking about FO cable which can contain wire to support the weight of the cable and stop
    it stretching? If the latter, do you have a link to show its construction?

    I can find antenna cable that includes kevlar strength members, e.g.

    <https://www.wireantennas.co.uk/kevlar-range>

    But all the phone cable drop wires I can see use stainless steel, e.g.

    <https://www.fscables.com/products/bt-drop-wire.html>

    I remember the older GPO figure-8 dropwire which was copper clad steel
    aka drop wire No 6, where there wasn't a separate strength member (good
    at knackering your wire-cutters).

    It caused a lot of faults: The insulation would begin to crack at
    flexure points near the ends, letting in moisture. The combination of
    copper and steel would then rapidly corrode to give a noisy fracture
    which was constantly being moved by the wind.
    --
    ~ Liz Tuddenham ~
    (Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
    www.poppyrecords.co.uk
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Carver@mark@invalid.com to uk.telecom on Tue Mar 24 09:28:15 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 24/03/2026 09:06, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    Jeff Layman wrote:

    Are you talking about the "FO cable" which can contain two pairs of
    copper wire as well as the FO line itself, so connection can be retained >>> over the copper wire until FTTP is complete? Or are you talking about FO >>> cable which can contain wire to support the weight of the cable and stop >>> it stretching? If the latter, do you have a link to show its construction? >>
    I can find antenna cable that includes kevlar strength members, e.g.

    <https://www.wireantennas.co.uk/kevlar-range>

    But all the phone cable drop wires I can see use stainless steel, e.g.

    <https://www.fscables.com/products/bt-drop-wire.html>

    I remember the older GPO figure-8 dropwire which was copper clad steel
    aka drop wire No 6, where there wasn't a separate strength member (good
    at knackering your wire-cutters).

    It caused a lot of faults: The insulation would begin to crack at
    flexure points near the ends, letting in moisture. The combination of
    copper and steel would then rapidly corrode to give a noisy fracture
    which was constantly being moved by the wind.


    Yes, my parents had that drop wire, phone line installed in 1969. When
    they adopted ADSL in 2005, it worked, but there were more drop outs than
    I'd have expected (they were quite close to the exchange) I managed to
    get the ISP (Pipex) to send Openreach to investigate. First thing the
    chap did was change the dropwire to the reinforced twisted pair type.
    Instant cure.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jeff Layman@Jeff@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Fri Apr 3 08:52:28 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 24/03/2026 09:28, Mark Carver wrote:
    On 24/03/2026 09:06, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    Jeff Layman wrote:

    Are you talking about the "FO cable" which can contain two pairs of
    copper wire as well as the FO line itself, so connection can be retained >>>> over the copper wire until FTTP is complete? Or are you talking about FO >>>> cable which can contain wire to support the weight of the cable and stop >>>> it stretching? If the latter, do you have a link to show its construction? >>>
    I can find antenna cable that includes kevlar strength members, e.g.

    <https://www.wireantennas.co.uk/kevlar-range>

    But all the phone cable drop wires I can see use stainless steel, e.g.

    <https://www.fscables.com/products/bt-drop-wire.html>

    I remember the older GPO figure-8 dropwire which was copper clad steel
    aka drop wire No 6, where there wasn't a separate strength member (good
    at knackering your wire-cutters).

    It caused a lot of faults: The insulation would begin to crack at
    flexure points near the ends, letting in moisture. The combination of
    copper and steel would then rapidly corrode to give a noisy fracture
    which was constantly being moved by the wind.


    Yes, my parents had that drop wire, phone line installed in 1969. When
    they adopted ADSL in 2005, it worked, but there were more drop outs than
    I'd have expected (they were quite close to the exchange) I managed to
    get the ISP (Pipex) to send Openreach to investigate. First thing the
    chap did was change the dropwire to the reinforced twisted pair type.
    Instant cure.

    As I noted 4 months ago in uk.telecom.broadband, that was the /last/
    thing Openreach changed to solve a 3-months old intermittent broadband
    fault!
    --
    Jeff
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Davey@davey@example.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 10:34:16 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new
    connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the
    same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.
    --
    Davey.

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Roger Mills@mills37.fslife@gmail.com to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 13:17:19 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19/03/2026 10:34, Davey wrote:
    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the
    same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.

    How about "Geographical Number"?
    --
    Cheers,
    Roger
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 14:14:30 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19/03/2026 10:34, Davey wrote:
    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the
    same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.

    Fixed VOIP
    --
    "First, find out who are the people you can not criticise. They are your oppressors."
    - George Orwell

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From snipeco.2@snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 14:20:24 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the
    same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred
    --
    ^-^. Sn!pe, bird-brain. My pet rock Gordon just is.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Richmond@dnomhcir@gmx.com to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 14:33:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) writes:

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new
    connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the
    same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred

    Stationary phone. Keep a pen and paper beside it.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 14:40:19 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new
    connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the
    same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred

    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can answer a
    phone with a local number anywhere in the world...
    --
    "When one man dies it's a tragedy. When thousands die it's statistics."

    Josef Stalin


    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 14:41:05 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19/03/2026 14:33, Richmond wrote:
    snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) writes:

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new
    connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the >>> same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred

    Stationary phone. Keep a pen and paper beside it.

    Except it doesn't have to be., SIP servers are globally accessible
    --
    "It was a lot more fun being 20 in the 70's that it is being 70 in the 20's" Joew Walsh

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Davey@davey@example.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 15:03:11 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:41:05 +0000
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:33, Richmond wrote:
    snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) writes:

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the
    new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but
    it's still the same old number, mostly, it often uses the same
    handset, and 'Landline' is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal
    Mail, might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred

    Stationary phone. Keep a pen and paper beside it.

    Except it doesn't have to be., SIP servers are globally accessible




    Even DECT 'phones go anywhere in the house and garden.
    --
    Davey.

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From snipeco.2@snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 15:36:28 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new
    connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the >> same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred


    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can answer a
    phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?
    --
    ^-^. Sn!pe, bird-brain. My pet rock Gordon just is.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Davey@davey@example.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 15:54:59 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:36:28 +0000
    snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) wrote:

    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the
    new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but
    it's still the same old number, mostly, it often uses the same
    handset, and 'Landline' is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal
    Mail, might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred


    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can answer
    a phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?


    Indeed, that was the original question, what to call the replacement?
    --
    Davey

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Richmond@dnomhcir@gmx.com to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 16:04:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> writes:

    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:36:28 +0000
    snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) wrote:

    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the
    new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but
    it's still the same old number, mostly, it often uses the same
    handset, and 'Landline' is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal
    Mail, might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred


    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can answer
    a phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?


    Indeed, that was the original question, what to call the replacement?

    Even the physical lines were mobile, because Openreach can cut through
    them and stick them in a wheely bin, without asking.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jeff Layman@Jeff@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 16:12:43 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19/03/2026 15:36, Sn!pe wrote:
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new
    connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the >>>> same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline' >>>> is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred


    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can answer a
    phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?

    Exactly. It's still a landline, as distinct from a mobile/cell phone
    which uses a radio signal. It's a line which is now fibre rather than
    copper wire, and still runs underground, or "under the land".

    Anyway, all these terms have become flexible. Now and again with a
    mobile phone you can still get asked to "hold the line, please". And how
    long has it been since a number was /actually/ dialled?!
    --
    Jeff
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Richmond@dnomhcir@gmx.com to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 16:24:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> writes:

    On 19/03/2026 15:36, Sn!pe wrote:
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new
    connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the >>>>> same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline' >>>>> is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail, >>>>> might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred

    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can
    answer a
    phone with a local number anywhere in the world...

    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?

    Exactly. It's still a landline, as distinct from a mobile/cell phone
    which uses a radio signal. It's a line which is now fibre rather than
    copper wire, and still runs underground, or "under the land".

    Anyway, all these terms have become flexible. Now and again with a
    mobile phone you can still get asked to "hold the line, please". And
    how long has it been since a number was /actually/ dialled?!

    It can go underground or overground, wombling free.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Davey@davey@example.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 17:27:11 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:04:13 +0000
    Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> writes:

    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:36:28 +0000
    snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) wrote:

    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to
    the new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one;
    but it's still the same old number, mostly, it often uses the
    same handset, and 'Landline' is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal
    Mail, might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile
    phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred


    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can
    answer a phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?


    Indeed, that was the original question, what to call the
    replacement?

    Even the physical lines were mobile, because Openreach can cut through
    them and stick them in a wheely bin, without asking.

    If the local scrotes haven't got there first.
    --
    Davey.

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 18:49:49 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 2026/3/19 14:33:9, Richmond wrote:
    []
    Stationary phone. Keep a pen and paper beside it.
    Ah - a stationary stationery 'phone!
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 18:55:14 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 2026/3/19 17:27:11, Davey wrote:
    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:04:13 +0000
    Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> writes:

    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:36:28 +0000
    snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) wrote:

    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to
    the new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one;
    but it's still the same old number, mostly, it often uses the
    same handset, and 'Landline' is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal
    Mail, might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile
    phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred


    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can
    answer a phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?

    I'm not sure; I could imagine it meaning "what would we say in place of
    'here is my landline number' when giving it to someone".


    Indeed, that was the original question, what to call the
    replacement?
    []
    AIUI, you can use you ATA (or VoIP 'phone), once registered, anywhere?
    (So location-by-dialling-code will cease to be reliable, or eventually
    even valid?)
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    If you help someone when they're in trouble, they will remember you when they're in trouble again.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 19:00:14 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 2026/3/19 16:24:33, Richmond wrote:
    []
    Anyway, all these terms have become flexible. Now and again with a

    Yes.

    mobile phone you can still get asked to "hold the line, please". And

    I sometimes wonder what the reaction would be if I said "grab the cord".

    how long has it been since a number was /actually/ dialled?!

    Words gain new meanings - I'd be most surprised if "dial" does not now
    have (e. g. in the OED) "tap out a sequence on a keypad".

    It can go underground or overground, wombling free.

    GROAN!

    Actually, there's a piece of pop music - from the '60s, I think - that I
    always think is going to be that tune when it starts, until it diverges.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    If you help someone when they're in trouble, they will remember you when they're in trouble again.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Rupert Moss-Eccardt@news@moss-eccardt.com to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 19:22:12 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19 Mar 2026 15:03, Davey wrote:
    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:41:05 +0000
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:33, Richmond wrote:
    snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) writes:

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the
    new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but
    it's still the same old number, mostly, it often uses the same
    handset, and 'Landline' is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal
    Mail, might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred

    Stationary phone. Keep a pen and paper beside it.

    Except it doesn't have to be., SIP servers are globally accessible




    Even DECT 'phones go anywhere in the house and garden.

    And let's not forget Rabbit

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Roger Mills@mills37.fslife@gmail.com to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 20:08:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19/03/2026 15:54, Davey wrote:
    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:36:28 +0000
    snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) wrote:

    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the
    new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but
    it's still the same old number, mostly, it often uses the same
    handset, and 'Landline' is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal
    Mail, might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred


    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can answer
    a phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?


    Indeed, that was the original question, what to call the replacement?

    OK, what about "Pseudo Landline"?
    --
    Cheers,
    Roger
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Woody@harrogate3@ntlworld.com to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 20:29:32 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Thu 19/03/2026 18:55, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/3/19 17:27:11, Davey wrote:
    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:04:13 +0000
    Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> writes:

    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:36:28 +0000
    snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) wrote:

    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being >>>>>>>> transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to
    the new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one;
    but it's still the same old number, mostly, it often uses the
    same handset, and 'Landline' is how it used to be referred to. >>>>>>>> Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal >>>>>>>> Mail, might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile
    phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred


    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can
    answer a phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?

    I'm not sure; I could imagine it meaning "what would we say in place of
    'here is my landline number' when giving it to someone".


    Indeed, that was the original question, what to call the
    replacement?
    []
    AIUI, you can use you ATA (or VoIP 'phone), once registered, anywhere?
    (So location-by-dialling-code will cease to be reliable, or eventually
    even valid?)

    Correct - and it works a treat, just as having a softphone on your
    mobile does so you can answer your call anywhere.

    The great advantage of using VoIP is that it logs in via your UK VoIP
    provider so calling someone in the UK from, say, Italy is treated as if
    the call had been made in the UK. It still uses your data though!

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From nospam@nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 20:40:29 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:12:43 +0000, Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid>
    wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 15:36, Sn!pe wrote:
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new
    connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the >>>>> same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline' >>>>> is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail, >>>>> might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred


    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can answer a
    phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?

    Exactly. It's still a landline, as distinct from a mobile/cell phone
    which uses a radio signal. It's a line which is now fibre rather than
    copper wire, and still runs underground, or "under the land".


    Except I've just moved away from BT and am using a Three router where
    the data arrives via a 5G mast.
    --
    AnthonyL

    Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From nospam@nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 20:46:26 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:34:16 +0000, Davey <davey@example.invalid>
    wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new >connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the
    same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.


    I was just having the conversation with my sister today. She was
    getting very befuddled about the concept of VOIP, which I've just
    moved my (xxxxxx) number to so I took my ATA to her house, plugged it
    into her router and got her to ring my (xxxxxx) number from her
    mobile. When it rang on her handset she suddenly grasped what was
    going on.

    We then had to debate what xxxxxx was. Is it my landline, well
    clearly not, I'm in her house. Was it my home number, well again
    clearly not, I'm in her house, or wherever the ATA was. Well not
    quite because when she first rang it my wife, who was at home, with
    the handsets disconnected because I had got the ATA, still answered
    because she has a VOIP app on the mobile.

    I now leaning towards xxxxxx = VOIP, this is my VOIP number, it used
    to be my landline/home phone number.
    --
    AnthonyL

    Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 20:48:44 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19/03/2026 15:36, Sn!pe wrote:
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new
    connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the >>>> same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline' >>>> is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail,
    might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred


    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can answer a
    phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?

    No...
    viz...

    "Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new connection?"
    --
    Of what good are dead warriors? rCa Warriors are those who desire battle
    more than peace. Those who seek battle despite peace. Those who thump
    their spears on the ground and talk of honor. Those who leap high the
    battle dance and dream of glory rCa The good of dead warriors, Mother, is
    that they are dead.
    Sheri S Tepper: The Awakeners.

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 20:51:24 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19/03/2026 16:12, Jeff Layman wrote:
    On 19/03/2026 15:36, Sn!pe wrote:
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new
    connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's
    still the
    same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and
    'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail, >>>>> might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line-a if preferred

    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can answer a
    phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?

    Exactly. It's still a landline, as distinct from a mobile/cell phone
    which uses a radio signal. It's a line which is now fibre rather than
    copper wire, and still runs underground, or "under the land".

    No., That is not the phone line, That is merely a fixed location
    broadband link and has little if anything to do with the services
    running over it

    Anyway, all these terms have become flexible. Now and again with a
    mobile phone you can still get asked to "hold the line, please". And how long has it been since a number was /actually/ dialled?!

    --
    Of what good are dead warriors? rCa Warriors are those who desire battle
    more than peace. Those who seek battle despite peace. Those who thump
    their spears on the ground and talk of honor. Those who leap high the
    battle dance and dream of glory rCa The good of dead warriors, Mother, is
    that they are dead.
    Sheri S Tepper: The Awakeners.

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 20:52:56 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19/03/2026 20:46, AnthonyL wrote:
    I now leaning towards xxxxxx = VOIP, this is my VOIP number, it used
    to be my landline/home phone number.

    Probably too sensible to be acceptable
    --
    Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have
    guns, why should we let them have ideas?

    Josef Stalin

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Richmond@dnomhcir@gmx.com to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 21:45:56 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> writes:

    On Thu 19/03/2026 18:55, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/3/19 17:27:11, Davey wrote:
    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:04:13 +0000
    Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> writes:

    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:36:28 +0000
    snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) wrote:

    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being >>>>>>>>> transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to
    the new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; >>>>>>>>> but it's still the same old number, mostly, it often uses the >>>>>>>>> same handset, and 'Landline' is how it used to be referred to. >>>>>>>>> Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal >>>>>>>>> Mail, might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile
    phone'?

    s/phone/line if preferred

    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can
    answer a phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?

    I'm not sure; I could imagine it meaning "what would we say in place
    of 'here is my landline number' when giving it to someone".


    Indeed, that was the original question, what to call the
    replacement? >> [] >> AIUI, you can use you ATA (or VoIP 'phone),
    once registered, anywhere? >> (So location-by-dialling-code will
    cease to be reliable, or eventually >> even valid?)

    Correct - and it works a treat, just as having a softphone on your
    mobile does so you can answer your call anywhere.

    The great advantage of using VoIP is that it logs in via your UK VoIP provider so calling someone in the UK from, say, Italy is treated as
    if the call had been made in the UK. It still uses your data though!

    It also means that if anyone gets your password they too can use your
    account to make calls. I've restricted mine to my IP address.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jeff Layman@Jeff@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Thu Mar 19 22:19:35 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19/03/2026 20:51, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
    On 19/03/2026 16:12, Jeff Layman wrote:
    On 19/03/2026 15:36, Sn!pe wrote:
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 14:20, Sn!pe wrote:
    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:

    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new >>>>>> connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's
    still the
    same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and
    'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.
    Answers on a postcard, please. Which, being delivered by Royal Mail, >>>>>> might not reach its destination.


    'fixed phone' or 'static phone' as distinct from 'mobile phone'?

    s/phone/line-a if preferred

    Of course one of the great things about VOIP is that you can answer a
    phone with a local number anywhere in the world...


    True, but the discussion is about the physical line, isn't it?

    Exactly. It's still a landline, as distinct from a mobile/cell phone
    which uses a radio signal. It's a line which is now fibre rather than
    copper wire, and still runs underground, or "under the land".

    No., That is not the phone line, That is merely a fixed location
    broadband link and has little if anything to do with the services
    running over it

    Indeed. It's a broadband landline. It's not radio, UHF, satellite, or
    any other non-solid way of carrying a signal. I'm not associating it
    with any particular telephone number, just referring to it as a line. If
    it was above ground, I'd probably refer to it as a telegraph-type line.
    Pretty meaningless in the modern day, but no more so than still using
    the term "dialling" to pressing or touching numbers.

    Out of interest, where there's the last piece of FTTP carried overground
    from a telephone pole to a house, is it still referred to as a
    "dropwire" or something else?

    Anyway, all these terms have become flexible. Now and again with a
    mobile phone you can still get asked to "hold the line, please". And how
    long has it been since a number was /actually/ dialled?!
    --
    Jeff
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 00:52:26 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 2026/3/19 20:52:56, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
    On 19/03/2026 20:46, AnthonyL wrote:
    I now leaning towards xxxxxx = VOIP, this is my VOIP number, it used
    to be my landline/home phone number.

    Probably too sensible to be acceptable

    Depends whether you say vee-oh-eye-pee or voyp. I think the former would
    be too much of a mouthful; the latter might be usable.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    Now, don't worry. We'll be right behind you. Hiding.
    (First series, fit the sixth.)
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 06:52:32 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 19/03/2026 22:19, Jeff Layman wrote:
    Out of interest, where there's the last piece of FTTP carried overground from a telephone pole to a house, is it still referred to as a
    "dropwire" or something else?

    I think that's how the engineer referred to mine...
    --
    For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the
    very definition of slavery.

    Jonathan Swift


    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 06:53:20 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 20/03/2026 00:52, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/3/19 20:52:56, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
    On 19/03/2026 20:46, AnthonyL wrote:
    I now leaning towards xxxxxx = VOIP, this is my VOIP number, it used
    to be my landline/home phone number.

    Probably too sensible to be acceptable

    Depends whether you say vee-oh-eye-pee or voyp. I think the former would
    be too much of a mouthful; the latter might be usable.

    I say voyp
    --
    For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the
    very definition of slavery.

    Jonathan Swift


    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Davey@davey@example.invalid to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 07:36:12 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:52:32 +0000
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 22:19, Jeff Layman wrote:
    Out of interest, where there's the last piece of FTTP carried
    overground from a telephone pole to a house, is it still referred
    to as a "dropwire" or something else?

    I think that's how the engineer referred to mine...


    Somehow 'Dropfibre' or 'Dropglass' just don't sound right.
    --
    Davey.

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Davey@davey@example.invalid to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 07:38:20 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:53:20 +0000
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 20/03/2026 00:52, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/3/19 20:52:56, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
    On 19/03/2026 20:46, AnthonyL wrote:
    I now leaning towards xxxxxx = VOIP, this is my VOIP number, it
    used to be my landline/home phone number.

    Probably too sensible to be acceptable

    Depends whether you say vee-oh-eye-pee or voyp. I think the former
    would be too much of a mouthful; the latter might be usable.

    I say voyp


    Watch out for the BBC to refer to it as 'Voip', in the same way that
    they refer to 'NASA' as 'Nasa'. Heathens.
    --
    Davey.

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 08:53:20 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 20/03/2026 07:36, Davey wrote:
    On Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:52:32 +0000
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 22:19, Jeff Layman wrote:
    Out of interest, where there's the last piece of FTTP carried
    overground from a telephone pole to a house, is it still referred
    to as a "dropwire" or something else?

    I think that's how the engineer referred to mine...


    Somehow 'Dropfibre' or 'Dropglass' just don't sound right.

    A cable doesn't have to be metal. Drop cable is probably a decent way to describe it
    --
    Labour - a bunch of rich people convincing poor people to vote for rich
    people by telling poor people that "other" rich people are the reason
    they are poor.

    Peter Thompson

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jeff Layman@Jeff@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 09:04:20 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 20/03/2026 08:53, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 22:19, Jeff Layman wrote:
    Out of interest, where there's the last piece of FTTP carried
    overground from a telephone pole to a house, is it still referred
    to as a "dropwire" or something else?

    I think that's how the engineer referred to mine...


    Somehow 'Dropfibre' or 'Dropglass' just don't sound right.

    A cable doesn't have to be metal. Drop cable is probably a decent way to describe it

    I'd be happy with that.
    --
    Jeff
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jeff Layman@Jeff@invalid.invalid to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 09:23:18 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 20/03/2026 07:38, Davey wrote:
    On Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:53:20 +0000
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 20/03/2026 00:52, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/3/19 20:52:56, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
    On 19/03/2026 20:46, AnthonyL wrote:
    I now leaning towards xxxxxx = VOIP, this is my VOIP number, it
    used to be my landline/home phone number.

    Probably too sensible to be acceptable

    Depends whether you say vee-oh-eye-pee or voyp. I think the former
    would be too much of a mouthful; the latter might be usable.

    I say voyp


    Watch out for the BBC to refer to it as 'Voip', in the same way that
    they refer to 'NASA' as 'Nasa'. Heathens.

    <https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacehipsters/posts/8388908267820649/>
    I couldn't find anything obvious on www.nasa.gov as to their "official" pronunciation.
    --
    Jeff
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Davey@davey@example.invalid to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 10:30:06 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:23:18 +0000
    Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 20/03/2026 07:38, Davey wrote:
    On Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:53:20 +0000
    The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 20/03/2026 00:52, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/3/19 20:52:56, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
    On 19/03/2026 20:46, AnthonyL wrote:
    I now leaning towards xxxxxx = VOIP, this is my VOIP number, it
    used to be my landline/home phone number.

    Probably too sensible to be acceptable

    Depends whether you say vee-oh-eye-pee or voyp. I think the former
    would be too much of a mouthful; the latter might be usable.

    I say voyp


    Watch out for the BBC to refer to it as 'Voip', in the same way that
    they refer to 'NASA' as 'Nasa'. Heathens.

    <https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacehipsters/posts/8388908267820649/>
    I couldn't find anything obvious on www.nasa.gov as to their
    "official" pronunciation.


    Ii us not the pronunciation, but the spelling. NASA is short for
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and so is shortened to
    NASA.
    It is not Nasa, per the BBC, using its 'Style Guide'.
    --
    Davey.

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Theo@theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 11:43:38 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:
    Now that POTS is being phased out, and old Landlines are being
    transferred over to 'Digital Voice', how should we refer to the new connection? 'Landline' is now wrong, as it isn't one; but it's still the
    same old number, mostly, it often uses the same handset, and 'Landline'
    is how it used to be referred to.

    "Landline". The terms outlast their physical manifestation, just like how
    you 'dial' using a keypad, the phone 'rings' without having a bell and the recipient 'hangs up' the call by pressing a button.

    Theo
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From nospam@nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 12:54:34 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:52:56 +0000, The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 20:46, AnthonyL wrote:
    I now leaning towards xxxxxx = VOIP, this is my VOIP number, it used
    to be my landline/home phone number.

    Probably too sensible to be acceptable


    High praise indeed TNP, thanks.
    --
    AnthonyL

    Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.telecom on Fri Mar 20 15:02:50 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

    On 2026/3/20 9:4:20, Jeff Layman wrote:
    On 20/03/2026 08:53, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

    On 19/03/2026 22:19, Jeff Layman wrote:
    Out of interest, where there's the last piece of FTTP carried
    overground from a telephone pole to a house, is it still referred
    to as a "dropwire" or something else?

    I think that's how the engineer referred to mine...


    Somehow 'Dropfibre' or 'Dropglass' just don't sound right.

    A cable doesn't have to be metal. Drop cable is probably a decent way to
    describe it

    I'd be happy with that.

    I read it once as just "subscriber drop" (with nothing on the end of
    drop), though that was many years ago.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    "Knowledge isnt elitist - that's rubbish! Why are we embarrassed by the
    idea that people know things? It's not a conspiracy against the
    ignorant. Knowing things is good!" - Jeremy Paxman, RT 14-20 Aug. 2010
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2