This topic

Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

rambles — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 20:30:35 GMT

I have spoken to three people at BT today and have got three different answers.

I have a full FTTP service - it is excellent - 900mb + downloads. I use my own Asus router and I am very happy with it.

The landline is still on copper, I need to keep it for incoming calls from elderly friends and relatives, including some overseas.

I have been told that the copper line will be switched to Digital Voice 'soon'. We will get two free handsets, but they cannot be ordered until after the date of the switchover. I don't want to be without the landline, at all, and I want to keep using my existing router. I am planning on trying to get hold of one of the BT Digital Voice adapters to use my own phone from the day of the switch, until the new handsets arrive.

It seems that the new digital phones and the adapters all connect via WPS (wi-fi) so will they work okay on my Asus router - connection via WPS? Many people are telling me they will not work without the Smart Hub 2, I think they are wrong. Does anyone know for sure?

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

jac_95 — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 20:39:55 GMT

The DV adaptor and DV handset will only work with BT's Smart Hub as they actually connect via DECT and not WiFI.

Along with that the Digital Voice service requires the BT Smart Hub as it's configured to connect to BT's VoIP implementation.

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

licquorice — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 20:39:48 GMT

@rambles They are right.

Digital voice doesn't use wifi to connect to the handsets, the SH2 is a DECT base station. The WPS button is dual purpose and serves to register the handsets to the base. You cannot use Digital Voice with your Asus router. You either need to use the SH2 or discard the voice component from BT and get a third party VOIP provider for voice service.

As has been explained on the forum countless times.

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

rambles — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 20:56:19 GMT

I am not convinced that the Smart Hub 2 operates as a DECT base station, but there is a lot about this technology that I don't understand. And it does seem to be changing quite fast.

I just came off of a call with a BT fibre engineer who assured me that as long as my Asus router has a WPS button, the Digital Voice handsets that I get from BT will work with it via wifi, and because I have the full FTTP connection, the handsets will just work. I don't know if he is correct or not.

What if I use my own phone via one of the BT supported adapters, in that scenario the Smart Hub 2 cannot be operating as a DECT base station.? The new Digital Phones seem to be wifi handsets, are we sure that DECT technology is still used?

If I do need to get the Smart Hub 2 out, can I connect it to the Asus router via ethernet and configure the Smart Hub so it is just a switch rather than a router, and used purely for Digital Voice?

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

licquorice — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:05:24 GMT

@rambles wrote:

I am not convinced that the Smart Hub 2 operates as a DECT base station, but there is a lot about this technology that I don't understand. And it does seem to be changing quite fast.

Don't care whether you are convinced or not, I can assure you it is.

I just came off of a call with a BT fibre engineer who assured me that as long as my Asus router has a WPS button, the Digital Voice handsets that I get from BT will work with it via wifi, and because I have the full FTTP connection, the handsets will just work. I don't know if he is correct or not.

BT don't have fibre engineers and he is totally clueless. They won't work as they are DECT not Wifi

What if I use my own phone via one of the BT supported adapters, in that scenario the Smart Hub 2 cannot be operating as a DECT base station.? The new Digital Phones seem to be wifi handsets, are we sure that DECT technology is still used?

There is an analogue phone socket on the SH2

If I do need to get the Smart Hub 2 out, can I connect it to the Asus router via ethernet and configure the Smart Hub so it is just a switch rather than a router, and used purely for Digital Voice?

You can turn off DHCP and Wifi but it will still be routing and natting.

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

jac_95 — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:11:39 GMT

Trust us it's DECT and not via WiFi. If you look at the legal required declaration on the Digital Voice handsets or adapter manual you'll see the Radio transmission information

Frequency range

1881.792–1897.344MHz

Max power19.9dBm

This frequency range is DECT and not WiFI - here's a Wikipedia page on DECT https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_enhanced_cordless_telecommunications

Here's the digital voice adaptor manual (info is on page 7)

https://www.bt.com/content/dam/bt/help/user-guides/Digital-Voice-Adapter-userguide.pdf

The WPS has a dual function as a UX and ease perspective BT implemented the Digital Voice adapter and handset pairing via DECT to also use the WPS button.

As for your normal handset you would still need to use the BT Smart Hub but you could plug your handset into the green port on the back of the BT Smart Hub or use the Digital Voice adapter that connect back via DECT to the BT smart hub

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

rambles — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:11:02 GMT

Okay, that's informative, thankyou, but depressing.

So, on the last point with the Smart Hub 2 and my Asus router in the mix. If it is still routing and natting - will it still work?

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

licquorice — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:13:51 GMT

Yes, you will just be double natting or you could just configure the Asus as a wireless access point. Depends on why you have the Asus rather than a BT hub.

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

rambles — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:22:05 GMT

I want the Asus to do everything, I get faster download speeds as well as faster wifi speeds, and various other home network tools / fixed Ip addresses that I am using. It is excellent and reliable and I don't want to mess with it.

What is double natting?

So, you think I can configure the SH2 to just be a switch / wifi point for the Digital Voice service, by feeding it an ethernet cable from the Asus and all will work okay?

The other option is to have the old landline number on permanent divert to my mobile phone - is that something BT could offer?

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

licquorice — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:30:19 GMT

The SH2 needs to connect to the ONT and the Asus to the SH2 rather than the other way round. Hence all your traffic will need to traverse the SH2.

NAT is the process of translating your public IP address to the private addresses of your devices on your LAN. If you connect 2 routers together LAN port to WAN port then this process is repeated, double natting.

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

licquorice — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:32:55 GMT

You could simply dispense with BT's voice service altogether and use a third party VoIP provider and your Asus for voice service.

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

jac_95 — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:40:30 GMT

Re your question about call diversion, just so you are aware of all the information yes it's possible but if you are diverting to a non BT landline or BT mobile number there will be a charge: https://www.bt.com/help/landline/all-about-call-diversion-for-digital-voice

As licquorice has stated it maybe best just to go broadband only and port your number to an alternative VoIP provider. Saves having to double NAT too which may cause issues for some local devices on your network if you need port forwarding ect...

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

rambles — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:57:03 GMT

Putting the smart hub between the Asus and the incoming fibre connection is not something I want to do.

Call diversion sounds like it could get costly if we get charged for the re-routed calls. Unless I get a standalone BT Sim and phone, just for that purpose.

Porting the number sounds good. Any issues or charging with that option?

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

rambles — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 23:40:57 GMT

I have done a little more research, spoken to more BT people and still have more questions than answers.

1. Is there a chance that the new Digital Voice phones / adapters are both DECT and WiFi compatible, so could work without the Smart Hub as BT informed me is the case earlier?

2. If not, and the SH2 is required to be connected directly to the ONT for the Digital Voice service to work, is this the case for a permanent call forwarding solution? Could I configure the call forward and then disconnect the SH2?

3. Is it correct that the equipment for Digital Voice can only be ordered after the day that the switch will happen?

4. When will the switch happen, how much notice will we get?

5. If I go for the porting the number out to another VOIP provider option, will there be an issue with separating my phone number from my FTTP broadband service?

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

Will168 — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 06:10:46 GMT

@rambles

1. It’s not possible to have digital voice without the SmartHub. The adaptors still need the SmartHub to work. You need the SmartHub for digital voice to work. @jac_95 and @licquorice are spot on about everything they have said.

3. That’s what BT seemed to be telling people, but I called customer services as I wanted a working phone line on the day DV activated and they manually put an order in for me and the phone arrived before my activation date. I do note that people have had mixed success trying this though. Seems to be a little hit and miss depending on who you get on yhe other end of the call.

4. As to the notice period, once they decide to migrate you, it’s usually only a matter of 2-4 weeks before you’re moved over. I managed to delay mine for a little while in order to have enough time to arrange an alternative security system to be installed. I was told the maximum I could delay was 6 weeks.

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

licquorice — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 07:49:24 GMT

@rambles wrote:

I have done a little more research, spoken to more BT people and still have more questions than answers.

1. Is there a chance that the new Digital Voice phones / adapters are both DECT and WiFi compatible, so could work without the Smart Hub as BT informed me is the case earlier?

No

2. If not, and the SH2 is required to be connected directly to the ONT for the Digital Voice service to work, is this the case for a permanent call forwarding solution? Could I configure the call forward and then disconnect the SH2?

Yes, you don't need to even connect the SH2 for call forwarding, it is not done by the SH2.

3. Is it correct that the equipment for Digital Voice can only be ordered after the day that the switch will happen?

4. When will the switch happen, how much notice will we get?

5. If I go for the porting the number out to another VOIP provider option, will there be an issue with separating my phone number from my FTTP broadband service?

No, you can now buy broadband without telephony. You may not be able to port your existing number to a third party VOIP provider however.

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

rambles — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 08:01:01 GMT

@licquorice

Yes, you don't need to even connect the SH2 for call forwarding, it is not done by the SH2.

Thanks, this is interesting - how does call forwarding work on BT Voice? Could I set it up online, via the BT website and just have all incoming calls directed to another phone. There is a BT mobile in the house, so if re-directed there, would it be no cost? Potentially add a bluetooth handset to that mobile phone?

No, you can now buy broadband without telephony.

When I bought my service the landline came bundled in free of charge. Do BT let me now split that off and keep the broadband with them, and take the phone elsewhere? I have read that I would need to cancel both services to release the phone, then re-order a broadband only service. This could involve new contracts and potentially a loss of broadband service at changeover.

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

licquorice — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 08:22:46 GMT

Call forwarding is done at the 'exchange', not locally.

I have no idea of the logistics of splitting off telephony, just that it is available. There is little saving in cost as the line is still required for broadband regardless of whether it also carries telephony. It is quite possible you would need to cancel and re-order with a new contract. Perhaps @-Richie- or @jac_95 might be along to clarify.

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

rambles — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 08:13:28 GMT

@licquorice Thanks - very helpful.

Call forwarding is done at the 'exchange', not locally.

I know that this is the case with the current (copper) network. Are we sure this is still the case with Digital Voice?

Re: Full Fibre To The Property with Digital Voice and Third Party Router

licquorice — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 08:14:54 GMT

Yes, call forwarding is a network function, the SH2 hasn't any capability to divert calls.