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Getting digital voice working again

crush123 — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 20:43:11 GMT

After enduring a lot of grief with BT wifi, I have moved over to an Orbi mesh network - so far, so good.

Rather than using the BT smart hub 2, I am using the Orbi router - so as a result I have lost digital voice, and therefore no landline.

i don’t want to return to the BT hub, as it allows me fewer network options.

I assume I have to use the BT hub in order to use digital voice, so I have 2 questions.

1. can I connect the BT hub to my network and disable all router and wifi options ?- which seems I have a box doing nothing else but acting as an adapter, but I would at least have a landline.

2. Can I transfer my landline number to my existing voip phone ?

I hardly use the landline, but do get other odd call

thanks for any input

Re: Getting digital voice working again

imjolly — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 21:06:47 GMT

If you want DV then SH2 must be the first connection to ONT turning off WiFi will not affect DV as it connects to DV phones using DECT not WIFI

Currently if you moved your phone number to VOIP provider that would cancell your current broadband and phone contract and be subject to cancellation fees

Re: Getting digital voice working again

WSH — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 22:42:37 GMT

Search for a post called "3rd party router with Bt hub for digital voice". I explained how to do it in there.

Re: Getting digital voice working again

crush123 — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 07:47:06 GMT

Thx, I also talked to BT support who also suggested a digital voice adapter which should connect wirelessly to my router - they would supply FOC, (but didn’t know if it would work with my situation).
Arriving tomorrow- will post back with any progress

Re: Getting digital voice working again

WSH — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 07:50:07 GMT

I'm pretty sure that adapter still needs to go through the SH2.

Re: Getting digital voice working again

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:01:18 GMT

@crush123

The Digital Voice Adapter is a DECT receiver which only connects to the DECT base station which is part of the Smart Hub 2. Its no different than a DECT handset, but it presents a phone socket so you can plug in a phone.

It does not use normal Wi-Fi.

You would be best to put the Orbi in access point mode, and dispense with the Orbi router. You can then use the Smart Hub 2.

Re: Getting digital voice working again

crush123 — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:01:02 GMT

I see,

- don’t really see the point of an adapter in that case.

I thought that there would be customers with DV who didn’t want to use a SH2 and not go through all this palaver.

Will feed back with my findings…

Re: Getting digital voice working again

iniltous — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:12:22 GMT

The DV ‘adapter’ simply allows a ‘normal’ phone to be connected to the SH2 in-built DECT base station functions , so provided you have included the SH2 as the first part of your setup ( to make use of DV ) then the adapter will connect to the SH2 ( not your own router ) , as stated it’s DECT , not WiFi , if your own router also has in-built DECT functionality, and it’s possible to ‘pair’ the adapter to it rather than the SH2 chances are you won’t have DV access , that is via the SH2 .

DV is BT’s proprietary telephone service , it requires the SH2, don’t want to use the SH2 ?, then broadband without an BT phone service is available , and the consumer can make alternate arrangements for a VoIP phone service from someone else ( that’s if a phone service is required , but not DV ) , it’s no different really to someone wanting Sky TV , but not wanting to use the Sky supplied set top box , Sky don’t supply service on that basis.

Re: Getting digital voice working again

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:10:25 GMT

@crush123

The SH2 is needed to ensure a secure phone connection to the national phone network. Calls can only be made and received via that secure connection, so validating the end user phone number.

There is no other way to make or receive calls.

Its actually more secure than the existing PSTN system which can be affected by "crossed" lines, or someone intercepting the line.