Landline needed before BT exchange upgrade?

[MenmuirMark]

We got rid off our BT landline a few years ago (post on our premises and copper wire still in position). We have a rural exchange limited, for nearly twenty years, to a maximum of 512kb/s download and 256kb/s upload so it was no use for modern internet. BT are currently laying fibre to the exchange (it currently has a microwave link) and presumably to connected properties (no cabinets in the area, all lines are from the exchange).

Current estimates are that we should have access to broadband in a year. Menmuir Exchange, DD9

I'd like to move to EE broadband when it is feasible but want to know whether it would make financial sense to get my landline reconnected now to ensure that we are included as part of the upgrade rather than having to pay extra for a new connection once fibre becomes live. Any thoughts?

[JimM11]

@MenmuirMark A lot will depend on how good the wi-fi calling feature off your mobiles will work on the new Fibre connection to the exchange, and through the medium that OR will then send forward but does sound like that will be dish or microwave linked outward. You could order it all at the start, but mobile wi-fi calling may just be the ticket!

[Mustrum]

@MenmuirMark   even if you were able to get your line reconnected, you would not automatically get upgraded to fibre.

Even then depending where you live it might be a struggle. If you are in or close to the village, you should be fine, but if in an outlying farm they may only connect you if you pay additional costs. As already mentioned, you cannot order a copper phone line, and even an ASDL line will not be straight forward.

The fibres that are being laid at present will be going back to Brechin or larger exchange in the area., not your local exchange, that will close down when the fibre install has been completed.

[MenmuirMark]

I asked Openreach to update me and they now say our address is currently in their build plans. Real teuchter country here, no village just a dispersed hamlet and farms. 

[MenmuirMark]

You are probably correct though I would have assumed (possibly too optimistically) that if I offered BT money to reconnect me to their current very poor connection they would not just tell me to keep my money and to wait a year. 😀