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[AnthonyG]

If you were wanting to switch to VOIP for an elderly relative and just wanted a simple no frills low cost provider that also allowed number porting from regular BT landlines who would be the best choice?

From looking I have been leaning towards AA.net. As opposed to sipgate or Yay. But I was just wanting to see if anyone knows of any better. As I am only aware of those three providers? Like I say, it needs to allow number porting from BT.

https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/

[burakkucat]

For clarity, I'll ask if your elderly relative just requires a telephony service without any Internet access?

[AnthonyG]

For clarity, I'll ask if your elderly relative just requires a telephony service without any Internet access?

The internet will be very soon coming from CityFibre FTTP. Who do not offer a telephone service over the old PSTN line so was wanting to replace it entirely with a Grandstream HT802 to connect her phone to and then use an independent low priced VOIP service and port the number across to use entirely by VOIP (porting the number is essential)

[g3uiss]

Sippgate. Porting fine no rental and calls very cheap. I’m very happy with it.

[AnthonyG]

Sippgate. Porting fine no rental and calls very cheap. I’m very happy with it.

Thanks for this, but from what I looked into A&A seem cheaper for both the service (9.9p per minute to call a mobile on Sipgate is a lot) and also the number port? Plus also people have said Sipgate is based abroad (out of Germany I believe) so sometimes in the UK the service is not 100% reliable in comparison to Yay and A&A who are based from here in the UK.

I was just wondering if there was anyone lower priced than A&A or if they are the best for low priced reliable service?

[g3uiss]

Yes Germany but I’ve had no issues. Most of my calls have been les than .01, so not sure where those prices come from. Porting took 5 days and no issues. I know other colleagues who have had the same experience. I can’t compare with AA as I have no experience, but I know popular with many users on here.

[AnthonyG]

I got the numbers from the Sipgate basic pricing page

https://www.sipgatebasic.co.uk/rates

UK Call Rates   Rates
Landline   1.18 p/min*
Mobile   9.90 p/min*
Incoming calls   free of charge

Is there a cheaper way to get it than sipgate basic?

[g3uiss]

Well that must be correct! Doesn’t look that way on my statement 

[meritez]

I'd go with Andrews and Arnold for an elderly relative

[gt94sss2]

I don't know how much ISPs are charging over City Fibre but I would be tempted to leave an elderly relative with BT Home Essentials instead and the free priority repair service. (assuming they qualify).

Obviously, depends on the individual!

[Weaver]

What Meritez said.

[j0hn]

Like I say, it needs to allow number porting from BT.

https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/

You will certainly be able to port to them, but may not be able to port away as easily.
They don't show this anywhere on their site but in the t&c's sent after you migrate a number to VOIP

VoIP Services: We have very limited porting agreements in place so it is unlikely you will be able to port any number to another provider of your choice, although you may be able to port it back to the original provider if it is not one of our numbers originally.

[g3uiss]

Of course you need to work out how the monthly fee impacts the prices. Low usage in my case slightly higher mobile is better than a fee

No restrictions on porting away if necessary later, as long as new supplier accepts, so your number is pretty safe that’s more important than anything for elderly folk I expect.

[AnthonyG]

No restrictions on porting away if necessary later, as long as new supplier accepts, so your number is pretty safe that’s more important than anything for elderly folk I expect.

That seems to be a major plus towards Sipgate. I am now leaning towards Sipgate now due to this.

How much did you pay to port your landline number across to Sipgate basic, can I ask please?

[Alex Atkin UK]

That seems to be a major plus towards Sipgate. I am now leaning towards Sipgate now due to this.

How much did you pay to port your landline number across to Sipgate basic, can I ask please?

I see it the opposite, if you're not paying a monthly fee then you have less security over potentially losing it.  Its why I plan to go AAISP rather than sipgate, as while I've had a few sipgate accounts and they never deleted them even though I didn't use them for years, I'd consider anything I'm not paying a monthly fee for more at risk of deletion than something I am.