Line Filters

[Richard]

Could anyone please clear up something of a mystery which confuses me?
I installed a new phone system recently and the phones kept buzzing until I realised I was supposed to install a widget called a 'line filter'.
I put just one 'filter' in place at the main line coming into the house and, despite having no computer attached at that point, the phones now all work perfectly.
I had thought this device was specifically designed to allow concurrent use of computer and phone, at the same socket, but apparently not.
I don't quite understand why I should need one regardless of the above, but it seems I do.

confused.com

[Geoff]

If you have broadband activated at the exchange for your line you will need a filter to make voice calls clear. This is the case whether you have equipment connected to the broadband service or not. On a fibre connection you will not need the filters.

[Richard]

Thanks again Geoff,
Very clear now

Will see if TalkTalk can give me 'fibre' at low cost!!.

[moonjiver]

Another question from a dummy .. I only partially understood this thread, hadn't heard of a filter before. Is that a standard piece of equipment for a landline connected to broadband? I know about the router and so on ..

[Richard]

As far as I now understand it :-
A "line filter" is what you need to connect a computer modem to a telephone line.
(A router is used to connect to a LAN and may then go on to connect to a modem to 'receive' the Internet).
Additionally, on a telephone (base station) connection the line may buzz without a 'filter'.

I don't understand why 'Fibre Optic' does not need a 'line filter'.
'FO' uses Green cabinets in the street to connect to the telephone exchange.

[Geoff]

Close, but not quite...

A "line filter" is what you need to connect a computer modem to a telephone line.

A line filter is so you can use a broadband enabled line for voice calls without the background noise. The filter has no effect on the broadband, just the voice calls.

I don't understand why 'Fibre Optic' does not need a 'line filter'.

The fibre wall socket has built-in filtering, unlike standard broadband which would use your existing phone wall socket (and cabling).

[moonjiver]

Thanks, but I don't know what LAN means!

Also, I really thought Fibre Optics came from Boots and was the healthy alternative to ordinary spectacles .. are you saying you can now get it from TalkTalk?! Does it compare well costwise with traditional Broadband?

[Richard]

...my talktalk modem cannot be connected to my telephone line without using the supplied 'line filter' so I just assumed it was necessary.

I don't see any particular advantage in going for 'Fibre' because much faster speeds are not important to me currently, in everyday use of the internet.

LAN = Chile's national airline:
(Líneas Aéreas Nacionales)

[moonjiver]

Thanks to all, this stuff has been very useful. I looked over a summary of the best deals yesterday, in a computer mag - Fibre is considerably more expensive, probably more of interest to business users. For a lot of ordinary bods, I should think reliability of service is more important. TalkTalk are VERY cheap but I am haunted by all their problems of the past and their reputation on customer service is still not that brilliant.

Post Office Phones have actually been pretty good and helpful, tho they seem to attract a few complaints over their broadband service. Sky are cheaper and also Plusnet are interesting me greatly - a few quid more a month is worth it for peace of mind and less hassle if you should get technical problems.