Plusnet have now advised me that because of the digital switchover and my failure to switch packages they are going to transfer me to EE - unless I change my package earlier.
The cost and package will be the same, including landline.
I am tempted to make the switch to EE because one of their services
includes a SIM in the modem/router so if main broadband is down (happened here for a week last year) I would get Internet via the SIM.
What is EE/BT's support like now? It used to be utter crap which is why I switched to Plusnet. In addition my road is wired for BT FTTP, although my house seems to be a problem, so I may have a better chance of getting FTTP with EE perhaps.
Thoughts/experience welcome :-)
On 14 May 2026 10:03:54 GMT, "Jeff Gaines" wrote:[snip]
If you are one of the unlucky ones, as I am, the OSS/BSS stack needs knife-and-forking for any change so it takes a number of phone calls
and weeks.
Plusnet have now advised me that because of the digital switchover and
my failure to switch packages they are going to transfer me to EE -
unless I change my package earlier.
The cost and package will be the same, including landline.
I am tempted to make the switch to EE because one of their services
includes a SIM in the modem/router so if main broadband is down
(happened here for a week last year) I would get Internet via the SIM.
What is EE/BT's support like now? It used to be utter crap which is why
I switched to Plusnet. In addition my road is wired for BT FTTP,
although my house seems to be a problem, so I may have a better chance
of getting FTTP with EE perhaps.
Thoughts/experience welcome :-)
When FTTP is working, get a VoIP service (I use Voipfone), and port your landline number to that service.-a This will break the landline which (probably) carries your current FTTC (or ADSL) service.-a Make sure youPorting the landline number with the existing FTTC service from Plusnet
port the number first otherwise you risk losing it.
On 14/05/2026 14:58, Graham J wrote:
When FTTP is working, get a VoIP service (I use Voipfone), and port your >>landline number to that service.-a This will break the landline which >>(probably) carries your current FTTC (or ADSL) service.-a Make sure you >>port the number first otherwise you risk losing it.Porting the landline number with the existing FTTC service from Plusnet >still active will kill the broadband service stone dead at the same time.
I think the OP's best option is to renew his service with Plusnet, which >will convert it to SoGEA by default (Broadband without a voice circuit)
wait a day, and then ask Voipfone (or whoever) to port his number into
their system.
Ofcom rules specify that ISPs and Openreach must keep a landline number >available for porting for 30 days after a SoGEA conversion.
The only downside, is his number will be 'dead' for a few days, before it >pops up in Voip-Land
I think the OP's best option is to renew his service with Plusnet, which will convert it to SoGEA by default (Broadband without a voice circuit)
wait a day, and then ask Voipfone (or whoever) to port his number into
their system.
On 15/05/2026 in message <10u7b57$9f3p$1@dont-email.me> Mark Carver wrote:your
On 14/05/2026 14:58, Graham J wrote:
When FTTP is working, get a VoIP service (I use Voipfone), and port
youlandline number to that service.-a This will break the landline which
(probably) carries your current FTTC (or ADSL) service.-a Make sure
Plusnetport the number first otherwise you risk losing it.Porting the landline number with the existing FTTC service from
time.still active will kill the broadband service stone dead at the same
which
I think the OP's best option is to renew his service with Plusnet,
circuit)will convert it to SoGEA by default (Broadband without a voice
intowait a day, and then ask Voipfone (or whoever) to port his number
numbertheir system.
Ofcom rules specify that ISPs and Openreach must keep a landline
before itavailable for porting for 30 days after a SoGEA conversion.
The only downside, is his number will be 'dead' for a few days,
pops up in Voip-Land
Many thanks for all the replies :-)
I did a price check, Zen is expensive compared, A&A is ludicrous, so I
will either stick with Plusnet or go to BT.
I did a price check, Zen is expensive compared, A&A is ludicrous, so I
will either stick with Plusnet or go to BT.
Jeff Gaines wrote:
Plusnet have now advised me that because of the digital switchover and
my failure to switch packages they are going to transfer me to EE -
unless I change my package earlier.
The cost and package will be the same, including landline.
I am tempted to make the switch to EE because one of their services
includes a SIM in the modem/router so if main broadband is down
(happened here for a week last year) I would get Internet via the SIM.
What is EE/BT's support like now? It used to be utter crap which is why
I switched to Plusnet. In addition my road is wired for BT FTTP,
although my house seems to be a problem, so I may have a better chance
of getting FTTP with EE perhaps.
Thoughts/experience welcome :-)
Get FTTP from Zen, for broadband only. At least then you can deal with
real people in England who understand the technical issues. The infrastructure for FTTP will likely be BT, but worth asking Zen whether
this is true for your location.
When FTTP is working, get a VoIP service (I use Voipfone), and port your landline number to that service. This will break the landline which (probably) carries your current FTTC (or ADSL) service. Make sure you
port the number first otherwise you risk losing it.
Jeff Gaines wrote:
[snip]
I did a price check, Zen is expensive compared, A&A is ludicrous, so I >>will either stick with Plusnet or go to BT.
Proper support costs money!
Have you ever tried getting support from BT? If so, you understand why I >recommend Zen ...
Alternatively, do what your children are doing. Ditch the land line.
Saves all this faffing with VOIP.
On 15/05/2026 in message <10u7rju$flnt$1@dont-email.me> Graham J wrote:
Jeff Gaines wrote:
[snip]
I did a price check, Zen is expensive compared, A&A is ludicrous, so
I will either stick with Plusnet or go to BT.
Proper support costs money!
Have you ever tried getting support from BT?-a If so, you understand
why I recommend Zen ...
Yes, as I said in my OP that's why I switched to Plusnet! Is it still as bad? Is it still in Mumbai?
Tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.youkay> wrote:
Alternatively, do what your children are doing. Ditch the land line.
Saves all this faffing with VOIP.
That's what we did. We tried and failed to wean just a few of our
friends off of calling our landline number. In the end we had to
terminate the number to get them to actually call our mobiles.
Strange to relate, all of them did migrate as soon as we did that.
On 15/05/2026 22:11, Sn!pe wrote:
Tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.youkay> wrote:
Alternatively, do what your children are doing. Ditch the land line.
Saves all this faffing with VOIP.
That's what we did. We tried and failed to wean just a few of our
friends off of calling our landline number. In the end we had to
terminate the number to get them to actually call our mobiles.
Strange to relate, all of them did migrate as soon as we did that.
This is the way, it's not worth all the faffing about
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 22:11, Sn!pe wrote:
Tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.youkay> wrote:
Alternatively, do what your children are doing. Ditch the land line.
Saves all this faffing with VOIP.
That's what we did. We tried and failed to wean just a few of our
friends off of calling our landline number. In the end we had to
terminate the number to get them to actually call our mobiles.
Strange to relate, all of them did migrate as soon as we did that.
This is the way, it's not worth all the faffing about
Yep. I ported my landline number to A&A for the couple of quid per month
that it costs. All inbound calls go to voicemail which get forwarded to me
as an email attachment. That mops up the odd residual important call. Those tailed off to zero within a year. ItrCOs just junk calls now. IrCOve not had the heart to dump the number because itrCOs been in the family since before I was born. Strange to be sentimentally attached to a phone numberrCa.
Yep. I ported my landline number to A&A for the couple of quid per monthI set up a Sipgate number some years ago, and before I SoGEA'd, using
that it costs. All inbound calls go to voicemail which get forwarded to me
as an email attachment. That mops up the odd residual important call.
We've definitely lost something with the end of the landline. In
retrospect it was simple and straight forward. You pick it up, listen
for a dial tone. When you hear that you know it is working and you
dial. Althought I have an end result which is the same with VOIP, it
doesn't feel the same. It is more like an internet facing
application. Complexity has been brought into my house instead of
being in the exchange. My phone connects to a router computer with
flashing lights, and that connects to an optical network terminal
computer with flashing lights. It's a bit like changing from logging
into a mainframe to having a PC on the desk. I can do more with it,
but there is more scope for it to go wrong, and for it to be my responsibility to work out why.
There was an episode of the Waltons where they had a phone installed
and considered it a great intrusion into the family meal when it
rang. What would they make if it now, where you cannot go anywhere or
speak to anyone without some pointless pinging and bleeping intruding?
On Sat, 16 May 2026 11:02:23 +0100
Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
We've definitely lost something with the end of the landline. In
retrospect it was simple and straight forward. You pick it up, listen
for a dial tone. When you hear that you know it is working and you
dial. Althought I have an end result which is the same with VOIP, it
doesn't feel the same. It is more like an internet facing
application. Complexity has been brought into my house instead of
being in the exchange. My phone connects to a router computer with
flashing lights, and that connects to an optical network terminal
computer with flashing lights. It's a bit like changing from logging
into a mainframe to having a PC on the desk. I can do more with it,
but there is more scope for it to go wrong, and for it to be my
responsibility to work out why.
There was an episode of the Waltons where they had a phone installed
and considered it a great intrusion into the family meal when it
rang. What would they make if it now, where you cannot go anywhere or
speak to anyone without some pointless pinging and bleeping
intruding?
It doesn't worry me. I only turn my mobile on if I'm either expecting
a call or I want to make one. That's if I even have it with me.
Simple.
Plusnet have now advised me that because of the digital switchover and my >failure to switch packages they are going to transfer me to EE - unless I >change my package earlier.
Davey <davey@example.invalid> writes:
On Sat, 16 May 2026 11:02:23 +0100
Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
We've definitely lost something with the end of the landline. In
retrospect it was simple and straight forward. You pick it up,
listen for a dial tone. When you hear that you know it is working
and you dial. Althought I have an end result which is the same
with VOIP, it doesn't feel the same. It is more like an internet
facing application. Complexity has been brought into my house
instead of being in the exchange. My phone connects to a router
computer with flashing lights, and that connects to an optical
network terminal computer with flashing lights. It's a bit like
changing from logging into a mainframe to having a PC on the desk.
I can do more with it, but there is more scope for it to go wrong,
and for it to be my responsibility to work out why.
There was an episode of the Waltons where they had a phone
installed and considered it a great intrusion into the family meal
when it rang. What would they make if it now, where you cannot go
anywhere or speak to anyone without some pointless pinging and
bleeping intruding?
It doesn't worry me. I only turn my mobile on if I'm either
expecting a call or I want to make one. That's if I even have it
with me.
Simple.
It's simple until you discover that everyone else has a different
policy.
On 14/05/2026 in message <xn0pprji116dlli004@news.individual.net> Jeff Gaines wrote:
Plusnet have now advised me that because of the digital switchover and
my failure to switch packages they are going to transfer me to EE -
unless I change my package earlier.
May I ask a follow up please?
Anybody know what modem/router EE supply with FTTC?
The Plusnet version is a PITA in that its cache survives a re-boot so if
I re-organise my home network I end up being directed to the wrong
machines.
I wondered if the EE one was better in that respect.
On 16/05/2026 11:50, Jeff Gaines wrote:
On 14/05/2026 in message <xn0pprji116dlli004@news.individual.net> JeffWhy not just buy a proper router, and use that ? All you need is the relevant PPPoE log on and password
Gaines wrote:
Plusnet have now advised me that because of the digital switchover
and my failure to switch packages they are going to transfer me to EE
- unless I change my package earlier.
May I ask a follow up please?
Anybody know what modem/router EE supply with FTTC?
The Plusnet version is a PITA in that its cache survives a re-boot so
if I re-organise my home network I end up being directed to the wrong
machines.
I wondered if the EE one was better in that respect.
BT and I think EE too :-
bthomehub@btbroadband.com-a-a-a Password <anything>
Plusnet
<Plusnet User Name>@plusdsl.net-a-a Password <your Plusnet Account Password>
It doesn't worry me. I only turn my mobile on if I'm either
expecting a call or I want to make one. That's if I even have it
with me.
Simple.
It's simple until you discover that everyone else has a different
policy.
That's their problem! They can always leave a voicemail message.
Or call what used to be my landline number.
Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:
[...]
It doesn't worry me. I only turn my mobile on if I'm either
expecting a call or I want to make one. That's if I even have it
with me.
Simple.
It's simple until you discover that everyone else has a different
policy.
That's their problem! They can always leave a voicemail message.
Or call what used to be my landline number.
We've turned our mobile phone voicemail off (we have no landline now)
because if somebody leaves a voicemail, the onus is on you to return the >call.
If it's important enough they'll call again later or send either an SMS
text or an Internet instant message. We find that these days many
people prefer to send texts; they don't demand immediate attention if
you're otherwise engaged and they're still there later when you're free
to deal with them.
On Sat, 16 May 2026 11:33:55 +0100
Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
Davey <davey@example.invalid> writes:
On Sat, 16 May 2026 11:02:23 +0100
Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
We've definitely lost something with the end of the landline. In
retrospect it was simple and straight forward. You pick it up,
listen for a dial tone. When you hear that you know it is working
and you dial. Althought I have an end result which is the same
with VOIP, it doesn't feel the same. It is more like an internet
facing application. Complexity has been brought into my house
instead of being in the exchange. My phone connects to a router
computer with flashing lights, and that connects to an optical
network terminal computer with flashing lights. It's a bit like
changing from logging into a mainframe to having a PC on the desk.
I can do more with it, but there is more scope for it to go wrong,
and for it to be my responsibility to work out why.
There was an episode of the Waltons where they had a phone
installed and considered it a great intrusion into the family meal
when it rang. What would they make if it now, where you cannot go
anywhere or speak to anyone without some pointless pinging and
bleeping intruding?
It doesn't worry me. I only turn my mobile on if I'm either
expecting a call or I want to make one. That's if I even have it
with me.
Simple.
It's simple until you discover that everyone else has a different
policy.
That's their problem! They can always leave a voicemail message. Or
call what used to be my landline number.
Tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.youkay> wrote:
Alternatively, do what your children are doing. Ditch the land line.
Saves all this faffing with VOIP.
That's what we did. We tried and failed to wean just a few of our
friends off of calling our landline number. In the end we had to
terminate the number to get them to actually call our mobiles.
Strange to relate, all of them did migrate as soon as we did that.
We've definitely lost something with the end of the landline. In[]
to having a PC on the desk. I can do more with it, but there is more
scope for it to go wrong, and for it to be my responsibility to work out
why.
On 2026/5/15 22:11:33, Sn!pe wrote:
Tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.youkay> wrote:Did you try setting a recorded message saying "this number will shortly
Alternatively, do what your children are doing. Ditch the land line.
Saves all this faffing with VOIP.
That's what we did. We tried and failed to wean just a few of our
friends off of calling our landline number. In the end we had to
terminate the number to get them to actually call our mobiles.
Strange to relate, all of them did migrate as soon as we did that.
be disconnected - call 07xxxxxxxxx" or similar, before actually killing it?
On 16/05/2026 15:53, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
On 2026/5/15 22:11:33, Sn!pe wrote:
Tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.youkay> wrote:Did you try setting a recorded message saying "this number will shortly
Alternatively, do what your children are doing. Ditch the land line.
Saves all this faffing with VOIP.
That's what we did. We tried and failed to wean just a few of our
friends off of calling our landline number. In the end we had to
terminate the number to get them to actually call our mobiles.
Strange to relate, all of them did migrate as soon as we did that.
be disconnected - call 07xxxxxxxxx" or similar, before actually killing it?
In my experience no one takes a blind bit of notice of such things,
rather like 'Road Ahead Closed' signs
Anybody know what modem/router EE supply with FTTC?
The Plusnet version is a PITA in that its cache survives a re-boot so if
I re-organise my home network I end up being directed to the wrong
machines.
I wondered if the EE one was better in that respect.
Jeff Gaines wrote:
[snip]
Anybody know what modem/router EE supply with FTTC?
The Plusnet version is a PITA in that its cache survives a re-boot so if >>I re-organise my home network I end up being directed to the wrong >>machines.
I wondered if the EE one was better in that respect.
Many consumer router retain the DHCP table across a reboot. For most
people this means that printers, NAS boxes, webcams, and the like retain >their initially assigned addresses and can be found easily. So it is a
GOOD THING.
The table is wiped clean by a factory reset. Such consumer router often
use TR-069 to establish their credentials for their connection to the ISP.
So you could do this whenever you re-organise your home network.
Anybody who manually assigns addresses in their home network should >understand this issue and at least be able to log into their router to
flush the DHCP table.
We've definitely lost something with the end of the landline. In
retrospect it was simple and straight forward. You pick it up, listen
for a dial tone. When you hear that you know it is working and you
dial. Although I have an end result which is the same with VOIP, it
doesn't feel the same. It is more like an internet facing
application. Complexity has been brought into my house instead of being
in the exchange. My phone connects to a router computer with flashing
lights, and that connects to an optical network terminal computer with flashing lights. It's a bit like changing from logging into a mainframe
to having a PC on the desk. I can do more with it, but there is more
scope for it to go wrong, and for it to be my responsibility to work out
why.
Jeff Gaines wrote:
[snip]
Anybody know what modem/router EE supply with FTTC?
The Plusnet version is a PITA in that its cache survives a re-boot so
if I re-organise my home network I end up being directed to the wrong
machines.
I wondered if the EE one was better in that respect.
Many consumer router retain the DHCP table across a reboot.-a For most people this means that printers, NAS boxes, webcams, and the like retain their initially assigned addresses and can be found easily.-a So it is a GOOD THING.
The table is wiped clean by a factory reset.-a Such consumer router often use TR-069 to establish their credentials for their connection to the
ISP.-a So you could do this whenever you re-organise your home network.
Anybody who manually assigns addresses in their home network should understand this issue and at least be able to log into their router to
flush the DHCP table.
On 17/05/2026 08:09, Graham J wrote:
Jeff Gaines wrote:Why would ordinary people even worry or care about DHCP assignments ?
[snip]
Anybody know what modem/router EE supply with FTTC?
The Plusnet version is a PITA in that its cache survives a re-boot so
if I re-organise my home network I end up being directed to the wrong
machines.
I wondered if the EE one was better in that respect.
Many consumer router retain the DHCP table across a reboot.-a For most
people this means that printers, NAS boxes, webcams, and the like
retain their initially assigned addresses and can be found easily.-a So
it is a GOOD THING.
The table is wiped clean by a factory reset.-a Such consumer router
often use TR-069 to establish their credentials for their connection
to the ISP.-a So you could do this whenever you re-organise your home
network.
Anybody who manually assigns addresses in their home network should
understand this issue and at least be able to log into their router to
flush the DHCP table.
For those who are a bit more network savvy, set static IP addresses for 'static items' (Printers, Tellies etc) but restrict the DHCP pool in the router such that those devices fall outside of it. I do that, but don't really need to.
95% of folk have no idea about IP Addresses, (nor do they need to)
The problem arose because of the decision to offer an internet
connection over the phone line. Now the phone line was designed in the 1880s (brilliantly, given the technology of the time) but it was never
going to be suitable for a sensible internet connection.
Absolutely the least reliable part of the internet connection is the
phone line. It is susceptible to electrical and mechanical
interference, plus its performance is variable and very dependent on
line length. These difficulties make little difference to a traditional voice call but they will all break an internet connection. So despite
some very clever engineering in the modem chip it really does not
provide a proper solution.
Much the same is true for the internet being carried over a mobile phone service, but this time the user has been persuaded to fund the phone by promoting it as costume jewellery and pricing it accordingly.
It's not so different to imagine early internet connections being made
via the water supply pipe - perhaps data being encoded in sound waves
sent through the water - an idea developed from WW2 sonar?
Further, the copper pairs and the exchange equipment are very expensive
to maintain.
By contrast FTTP is a "designed" solution, with predictable performance
and reliability - subject perhaps only to road menders cutting through fibres with a JCB. The exchange equipment can be almost entirely
replaced by one rack of electronics. For an internet service the user
does require the ONT and router - but that's quite a reasonable demand
given the user also has a computer which is why (s)he wants the internet service in the first place.
But the phone service providers saw that they could minimise their costs (and potentially make money from selling scrap copper wire) by providing VoIP and getting rid of copper pairs and the exchange building. For an internet user, VoIP can be integrated within their router.
Radio and TV broadcasters are doing the same - no need for transmitter sites, and the consumer doesn't need a dedicated receiver and antenna.
But VoIP over anything other than FTTP is not sensible. (I am aware
there are people for whom FTTC is fast enough and sufficiently reliable.)
Clearly for granny who only wanted a phone service VoIP has been a problem.
And issues like the need for mains power (or a battery backup) were
never thought out.
On 17/05/2026 08:09, Graham J wrote:
Jeff Gaines wrote:
[snip]
Anybody know what modem/router EE supply with FTTC?
The Plusnet version is a PITA in that its cache survives a re-boot so
if I re-organise my home network I end up being directed to the wrong
machines.
I wondered if the EE one was better in that respect.
Many consumer router retain the DHCP table across a reboot.-a For most people this means that printers, NAS boxes, webcams, and the like retain their initially assigned addresses and can be found easily.-a So it is a GOOD THING.
The table is wiped clean by a factory reset.-a Such consumer router often use TR-069 to establish their credentials for their connection to the ISP.-a So you could do this whenever you re-organise your home network.
Anybody who manually assigns addresses in their home network should understand this issue and at least be able to log into their router to flush the DHCP table.
Why would ordinary people even worry or care about DHCP assignments ?
For those who are a bit more network savvy, set static IP addresses for 'static items' (Printers, Tellies etc) but restrict the DHCP pool in the router such that those devices fall outside of it. I do that, but don't really need to.
95% of folk have no idea about IP Addresses, (nor do they need to)
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:I'm still struggling to think of a scenario for your average punter (the
On 17/05/2026 08:09, Graham J wrote:
Jeff Gaines wrote:Why would ordinary people even worry or care about DHCP assignments ?
[snip]
Anybody know what modem/router EE supply with FTTC?
The Plusnet version is a PITA in that its cache survives a re-boot so
if I re-organise my home network I end up being directed to the wrong
machines.
I wondered if the EE one was better in that respect.
Many consumer router retain the DHCP table across a reboot.-a For most
people this means that printers, NAS boxes, webcams, and the like retain >>> their initially assigned addresses and can be found easily.-a So it is a >>> GOOD THING.
The table is wiped clean by a factory reset.-a Such consumer router often >>> use TR-069 to establish their credentials for their connection to the
ISP.-a So you could do this whenever you re-organise your home network.
Anybody who manually assigns addresses in their home network should
understand this issue and at least be able to log into their router to
flush the DHCP table.
For those who are a bit more network savvy, set static IP addresses for
'static items' (Printers, Tellies etc) but restrict the DHCP pool in the
router such that those devices fall outside of it. I do that, but don't
really need to.
95% of folk have no idea about IP Addresses, (nor do they need to)
Yes, but 'ordinary people' want to use names for things, not numbers.
The internet 'out there' does this for you, I can connect to Google,
or DuckDuckGo, or my ISP using a name.
It's perfectly possible for this to work on a home intranet, it's just
that what ISPs supply and the behaviour of some devices makes it
difficult.
I have local DNS/DHCP set up in my router such that most devices, when
they connect. say "I'm called ABCDE can you give me an IP address
please". The router does the necessary and I (and everyone else in
the household) can connect to ABCDE without knowing its IP address. If
the router is reset and/or device ABCDE is disconnected for such a
long time that its IP gets re-used that's not an issue. The name ABCDE
is associated with the new IP address.
On 17/05/2026 12:13, Chris Green wrote:
The internet 'out there' does this for you, I can connect to Google,
or DuckDuckGo, or my ISP using a name.
It's perfectly possible for this to work on a home intranet, it's just
that what ISPs supply and the behaviour of some devices makes it
difficult.
I have local DNS/DHCP set up in my router such that most devices, whenI'm still struggling to think of a scenario for your average punter (the
they connect. say "I'm called ABCDE can you give me an IP address
please". The router does the necessary and I (and everyone else in
the household) can connect to ABCDE without knowing its IP address. If
the router is reset and/or device ABCDE is disconnected for such a
long time that its IP gets re-used that's not an issue. The name ABCDE
is associated with the new IP address.
one who thinks Wifi and Broadband are the same thing) could ever benefit from this (either consciously or unconsciously) ?
Can you give a specific example please ?
Yes, but 'ordinary people' want to use names for things, not numbers.
The internet 'out there' does this for you, I can connect to Google,
or DuckDuckGo, or my ISP using a name.
It's perfectly possible for this to work on a home intranet, it's just
that what ISPs supply and the behaviour of some devices makes it
difficult.
I have local DNS/DHCP set up in my router such that most devices, whenI'm still struggling to think of a scenario for your average punter (the
they connect. say "I'm called ABCDE can you give me an IP address
please". The router does the necessary and I (and everyone else in
the household) can connect to ABCDE without knowing its IP address. If
the router is reset and/or device ABCDE is disconnected for such a
long time that its IP gets re-used that's not an issue. The name ABCDE
is associated with the new IP address.
one who thinks Wifi and Broadband are the same thing) could ever benefit from this (either consciously or unconsciously) ?
Can you give a specific example please ?
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
I'm still struggling to think of a scenario for your average punter (the
Yes, but 'ordinary people' want to use names for things, not numbers.
The internet 'out there' does this for you, I can connect to Google,
or DuckDuckGo, or my ISP using a name.
It's perfectly possible for this to work on a home intranet, it's just
that what ISPs supply and the behaviour of some devices makes it
difficult.
I have local DNS/DHCP set up in my router such that most devices, when
they connect. say "I'm called ABCDE can you give me an IP address
please". The router does the necessary and I (and everyone else in
the household) can connect to ABCDE without knowing its IP address. If
the router is reset and/or device ABCDE is disconnected for such a
long time that its IP gets re-used that's not an issue. The name ABCDE
is associated with the new IP address.
one who thinks Wifi and Broadband are the same thing) could ever benefit
from this (either consciously or unconsciously) ?
Can you give a specific example please ?
Connecting to my printer - it's called 'oki' because it's an OKI
printer.
Slightly more 'techie' having several outside cameras and being able
to address them by name.
On 17/05/2026 19:22, Chris Green wrote:
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
I'm still struggling to think of a scenario for your average punter (the >> one who thinks Wifi and Broadband are the same thing) could ever benefit >> from this (either consciously or unconsciously) ?
Yes, but 'ordinary people' want to use names for things, not numbers.
The internet 'out there' does this for you, I can connect to Google,
or DuckDuckGo, or my ISP using a name.
It's perfectly possible for this to work on a home intranet, it's just >>> that what ISPs supply and the behaviour of some devices makes it
difficult.
I have local DNS/DHCP set up in my router such that most devices, when >>> they connect. say "I'm called ABCDE can you give me an IP address
please". The router does the necessary and I (and everyone else in
the household) can connect to ABCDE without knowing its IP address. If >>> the router is reset and/or device ABCDE is disconnected for such a
long time that its IP gets re-used that's not an issue. The name ABCDE >>> is associated with the new IP address.
Can you give a specific example please ?
Connecting to my printer - it's called 'oki' because it's an OKI
printer.
Slightly more 'techie' having several outside cameras and being able
to address them by name.
Yes, I get that, but for the majority of people, it's just a case of pressing the WPS button(s) and hoping for the best.
No one, other than 'people like us' log in to the router's, (or any
other device's) admin pages. It's probably just as well they don't TBH !
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
On 17/05/2026 19:22, Chris Green wrote:
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:Yes, I get that, but for the majority of people, it's just a case of
I'm still struggling to think of a scenario for your average punter (the >>>> one who thinks Wifi and Broadband are the same thing) could ever benefit >>>> from this (either consciously or unconsciously) ?
Yes, but 'ordinary people' want to use names for things, not numbers. >>>>>
The internet 'out there' does this for you, I can connect to Google, >>>>> or DuckDuckGo, or my ISP using a name.
It's perfectly possible for this to work on a home intranet, it's just >>>>> that what ISPs supply and the behaviour of some devices makes it
difficult.
I have local DNS/DHCP set up in my router such that most devices, when >>>>> they connect. say "I'm called ABCDE can you give me an IP address
please". The router does the necessary and I (and everyone else in
the household) can connect to ABCDE without knowing its IP address. If >>>>> the router is reset and/or device ABCDE is disconnected for such a
long time that its IP gets re-used that's not an issue. The name ABCDE >>>>> is associated with the new IP address.
Can you give a specific example please ?
Connecting to my printer - it's called 'oki' because it's an OKI
printer.
Slightly more 'techie' having several outside cameras and being able
to address them by name.
pressing the WPS button(s) and hoping for the best.
No one, other than 'people like us' log in to the router's, (or any
other device's) admin pages. It's probably just as well they don't TBH !
But what I am saying is that if the ISP's router was set up sensibly
then it would provide local DNS, there would be no need for the
'average punter' to log in to the router at all.
On 18/05/2026 08:43, Chris Green wrote:
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
On 17/05/2026 19:22, Chris Green wrote:
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:Yes, I get that, but for the majority of people, it's just a case of
I'm still struggling to think of a scenario for your average punter (the >>>> one who thinks Wifi and Broadband are the same thing) could ever benefit >>>> from this (either consciously or unconsciously) ?
Yes, but 'ordinary people' want to use names for things, not numbers. >>>>>
The internet 'out there' does this for you, I can connect to Google, >>>>> or DuckDuckGo, or my ISP using a name.
It's perfectly possible for this to work on a home intranet, it's just >>>>> that what ISPs supply and the behaviour of some devices makes it
difficult.
I have local DNS/DHCP set up in my router such that most devices, when >>>>> they connect. say "I'm called ABCDE can you give me an IP address
please". The router does the necessary and I (and everyone else in >>>>> the household) can connect to ABCDE without knowing its IP address. If >>>>> the router is reset and/or device ABCDE is disconnected for such a >>>>> long time that its IP gets re-used that's not an issue. The name ABCDE >>>>> is associated with the new IP address.
Can you give a specific example please ?
Connecting to my printer - it's called 'oki' because it's an OKI
printer.
Slightly more 'techie' having several outside cameras and being able
to address them by name.
pressing the WPS button(s) and hoping for the best.
No one, other than 'people like us' log in to the router's, (or any
other device's) admin pages. It's probably just as well they don't TBH !
But what I am saying is that if the ISP's router was set up sensibly
then it would provide local DNS, there would be no need for the
'average punter' to log in to the router at all.
By what means, and where would the punter see the local DNS names ?
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
On 18/05/2026 08:43, Chris Green wrote:Whwnever [s]he wants to access a printer, a camera or whatever.
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
On 17/05/2026 19:22, Chris Green wrote:But what I am saying is that if the ISP's router was set up sensibly
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:Yes, I get that, but for the majority of people, it's just a case of
I'm still struggling to think of a scenario for your average punter (the >>>>>> one who thinks Wifi and Broadband are the same thing) could ever benefit >>>>>> from this (either consciously or unconsciously) ?
Yes, but 'ordinary people' want to use names for things, not numbers. >>>>>>>
The internet 'out there' does this for you, I can connect to Google, >>>>>>> or DuckDuckGo, or my ISP using a name.
It's perfectly possible for this to work on a home intranet, it's just >>>>>>> that what ISPs supply and the behaviour of some devices makes it >>>>>>> difficult.
I have local DNS/DHCP set up in my router such that most devices, when >>>>>>> they connect. say "I'm called ABCDE can you give me an IP address >>>>>>> please". The router does the necessary and I (and everyone else in >>>>>>> the household) can connect to ABCDE without knowing its IP address. If >>>>>>> the router is reset and/or device ABCDE is disconnected for such a >>>>>>> long time that its IP gets re-used that's not an issue. The name ABCDE >>>>>>> is associated with the new IP address.
Can you give a specific example please ?
Connecting to my printer - it's called 'oki' because it's an OKI
printer.
Slightly more 'techie' having several outside cameras and being able >>>>> to address them by name.
pressing the WPS button(s) and hoping for the best.
No one, other than 'people like us' log in to the router's, (or any
other device's) admin pages. It's probably just as well they don't TBH ! >>>
then it would provide local DNS, there would be no need for the
'average punter' to log in to the router at all.
By what means, and where would the punter see the local DNS names ?
Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
On 18/05/2026 08:43, Chris Green wrote:
But what I am saying is that if the ISP's router was set up sensibly
then it would provide local DNS, there would be no need for the
'average punter' to log in to the router at all.
By what means, and where would the punter see the local DNS names ?
Whwnever [s]he wants to access a printer, a camera or whatever.
DoesnrCOt mDNS, Bonjour (and other OS variants thereof) solve all of this these days?
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
On 18/05/2026 08:43, Chris Green wrote:Whwnever [s]he wants to access a printer, a camera or whatever.
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
On 17/05/2026 19:22, Chris Green wrote:But what I am saying is that if the ISP's router was set up sensibly
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:Yes, I get that, but for the majority of people, it's just a case of
I'm still struggling to think of a scenario for your average punter (the >>>>>> one who thinks Wifi and Broadband are the same thing) could ever benefit >>>>>> from this (either consciously or unconsciously) ?
Yes, but 'ordinary people' want to use names for things, not numbers. >>>>>>>
The internet 'out there' does this for you, I can connect to Google, >>>>>>> or DuckDuckGo, or my ISP using a name.
It's perfectly possible for this to work on a home intranet, it's just >>>>>>> that what ISPs supply and the behaviour of some devices makes it >>>>>>> difficult.
I have local DNS/DHCP set up in my router such that most devices, when >>>>>>> they connect. say "I'm called ABCDE can you give me an IP address >>>>>>> please". The router does the necessary and I (and everyone else in >>>>>>> the household) can connect to ABCDE without knowing its IP address. If >>>>>>> the router is reset and/or device ABCDE is disconnected for such a >>>>>>> long time that its IP gets re-used that's not an issue. The name ABCDE >>>>>>> is associated with the new IP address.
Can you give a specific example please ?
Connecting to my printer - it's called 'oki' because it's an OKI
printer.
Slightly more 'techie' having several outside cameras and being able >>>>> to address them by name.
pressing the WPS button(s) and hoping for the best.
No one, other than 'people like us' log in to the router's, (or any
other device's) admin pages. It's probably just as well they don't TBH ! >>>
then it would provide local DNS, there would be no need for the
'average punter' to log in to the router at all.
By what means, and where would the punter see the local DNS names ?
On 18/05/2026 09:27, Chris Green wrote:
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
On 18/05/2026 08:43, Chris Green wrote:Whwnever [s]he wants to access a printer, a camera or whatever.
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
On 17/05/2026 19:22, Chris Green wrote:
Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:Yes, I get that, but for the majority of people, it's just a case
Yes, but 'ordinary people' want to use names for things, not
numbers.
The internet 'out there' does this for you, I can connect to
Google, or DuckDuckGo, or my ISP using a name.
It's perfectly possible for this to work on a home intranet,
it's just that what ISPs supply and the behaviour of some
devices makes it difficult.
I have local DNS/DHCP set up in my router such that most
devices, when they connect. say "I'm called ABCDE can you give >>>>>>>> me an IP address please". The router does the necessary and I >>>>>>>> (and everyone else in the household) can connect to ABCDE
without knowing its IP address. If the router is reset and/or
device ABCDE is disconnected for such a long time that its IP
gets re-used that's not an issue. The name ABCDE is associated >>>>>>>> with the new IP address. >>>>>>> I'm still struggling to think >>>>>>>> of a scenario for your average punter (the >>>>>>> one who
thinks Wifi and Broadband are the same thing) could ever
benefit >>>>>>> from this (either consciously or unconsciously) >>>>>>>> ?
Can you give a specific example please ?
Connecting to my printer - it's called 'oki' because it's an OKI
printer.
Slightly more 'techie' having several outside cameras and being
able to address them by name.
of pressing the WPS button(s) and hoping for the best.
No one, other than 'people like us' log in to the router's, (or
any other device's) admin pages. It's probably just as well they
don't TBH !
But what I am saying is that if the ISP's router was set up
sensibly then it would provide local DNS, there would be no need
for the 'average punter' to log in to the router at all.
By what means, and where would the punter see the local DNS names ?
Yes, well, most people only have one domestic printer, so any
instruction to 'print' will just default to it anyway. Other devices
(given that few people now use desktops or laptops) are normally a
Bluetooth interface (from phone or tablet)
I get where you're coming from, but I think you massively overestimate
the network set up in the average home.
IoT devices use 'under the bonnet' Bluetooth comms from a mobile phone
or tablet to get themselves connected to domestic Wifi, and it's
pretty idiot proof and easy
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