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DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

oldbuffer1 — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 17:32:17 GMT

Hi,

Having almost forgotten I joined this forum nearly three years ago, the only indication of this was a failure to create a new account. However, it appears at last our wait may soon be over for FTTP. (a few weeks at most fingers crossed). I already have the SH2 plus the EE backup and am now wondering what to do with my Panasonic Dect phones. I have two connected to my existing phone line with a number of wireless "extensions". When I switch to FTTP I will be requiring to retain the phone service albeit in digital form at least for the short term. I understand I can squeeze a couple of Voip DV phones from BT to use instead of my existing set up. As there appears to be no base station, I presume these phones talk "wirelessly" to the SH2. My query is this - given that my existing DECT phones will work when I plug the line into the "green" socket on the back of the hub , will the DV phones work in tandem with my home phones or is it a case of one or the other?

Cheers

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

imjolly — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 18:00:50 GMT

The SH2 is a DECT base station and DV phones connect to SH2 by DECT not WiFi. You can connect existing Panasonic to socket on hub an dwill work in conjunction with DV phones

I suggest to read FAQ about dv

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

licquorice — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 18:01:51 GMT

All is explained in the faq https://community.bt.com/t5/Home-phone-including-Digital/Digital-Voice-FAQs/td-p/2207485

But yes, you can use both systems in tandem, I do.

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

oldbuffer1 — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 09:29:50 GMT

Thanks very much for the info. That answers my query. BTW I used the term "wirelessly" instead of wifi as DECT and Wifi operate on two different frequency spectrums. (you knew that...)
Cheers
PT

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

licquorice — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 09:33:49 GMT

The only anomaly I have discovered so far (there are probably others), is that calls answered on the DV handset show as missed calls on the old DECT handsets.

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

oldbuffer1 — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 09:39:27 GMT

I'll look out for that, although missed calls usually stay missed in our house until such times the caller calls again or doesn't. Will the 1571 facility still work?

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

licquorice — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 09:45:40 GMT

Ah, that's the other thing.

Yes,1571 is now effectively compulsory on DV. If you would rather your own answering machine takes the call, set the number of rings on 1571 to maximum and lower the number of rings on your answering machine.

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

TimCurtis — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 14:56:00 GMT

I somehow managed to cancel the 1571 process , can't quite remember just how I did it though.

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

gg30340 — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 15:44:30 GMT

@TimCurtis wrote:

I somehow managed to cancel the 1571 process , can't quite remember just how I did it though.

How do I cancel Voicemail?

You can easily cancel Voicemail online. Go to www.bt.com/callingfeatures and click the Manage my calling features button. This will start an online order process. Put in your home number and postcode and confirm you're the BT account holder to continue.

The next screen will show any calling features that are currently on your line. To cancel Voicemail, scroll down and click the "Remove all my messaging features" radio button. Alternatively, if you'd like to keep BT Call Protect, click that radio button instead.

Click Continue to complete the cancellation order

You can also manage all your calling features (including ordering, upgrading and cancelling them) at www.bt.com/mybt.

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

google1901 — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 17:15:00 GMT

I will shortly move across to DV; I'm sort of ok with that. Anyway I intend to embrace it so will drop the Analogue handset(base + phones) & switch to DV phone(s) when the time comes. But then this query popped up.

Is it true I can only use BT DV phone ie. not any VOIP supplier handsets. Basically they can only be DV compatible handsets that work with SH2 & BT DV service?

And what if I decided to change (phone/broadband contract) would I have to change DV handsets as well?

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

licquorice — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 17:24:05 GMT

BT Digital Voice is proprietary form of VoIP. The handsets are DECT and connect to the DECT base station embedded in the hub. They can only be used with BT Digital Voice. They are not VoIP handsets in the normal sense.

The BT hub also has a built in ATA which is presented as a standard phone socket which can be used for analogue phones or a DECT base station.

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

Keith_Beddoe — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 17:25:21 GMT

@google1901

No need to use the BT phones, just plug your existing working system, into the socket on the back of the Smart Hub 2. It will save you the hassle of entering all the numbers into the BT phones, the numbers are stored in the SH2.

BT Digital Voice is not a standard VOIP implementation, and you can only use the SH2.

If you move provider, then you would ask your new provider to port your number over.

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

oldbuffer1 — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 17:49:14 GMT

I thought along similar lines while researching digital phones. However, since I now have Full Fibre and DV phone service (3 x BT DV handsets), I did wonder if my Panasonic DEC phones would also work. As it turns out they’re fine. The base unit is plugged into the phone socket of the SH2 with all the attendant Panasonic digital phones and the BT handsets are wirelessly connected to the SH2. (The SH2 is effectively acting as a base unit for the BT handsets). I now have phones “coming out of my ears!”

So if you already have DEC phones they will work with your BT hub. In theory, just unplug your base unit from the old master socket and plug it into the back pf the hub and away you go. (Always assuming your digital phone service has been activated.).

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

google1901 — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 18:40:23 GMT

Thanks for your replies.

I think I'm trying to understand why BT DV is not VOIP or why proprietary. Ultimately, with DV, any restrictions. From the Router angle (broadband/phone) it is. Nevertheless, for phone, I suppose it leads to (I'm guessing) the phone port function on Smarthub2. Does SH2 convert to phone to digital i.e. phone call/voice to ADSL/IP packet (or in the street cabinet once switched over). Also, if I understand correctly, other providers, rely on BT Openreach (via same cabinet) e.g. SKY their routers must function the same as SH2.

It suggests (with change of service provider) 'BT DV' handsets should work as well.

n.b. I'm trying to convince myself no restriction either with DECT or BT DV phones!

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

licquorice — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 18:50:47 GMT

As previously explained, BT Digital Voice is a proprietary form of VoIP. It is more secure than other forms of VoIP which can be easily spoofed

How broadband is physically delivered is totally immaterial, the VoIP function is supplied at the MSAN (exchange in old money).

DV handsets ONLY work with BT Digital Voice.

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

Roseey — Sat, 10 Feb 2024 14:36:04 GMT

Help elderly parents at a distance who had change over to digital voice in December. Phone not working and they were told by BT on Friday that they would have to get a BT digital voice twin set phone and to look on products. Im struggling to find what they need.
any help with easy link to purchase a BT DV twin handset ?

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Feb 2024 14:48:42 GMT

@Roseey

If the migration is complete they simply need to plug their existing phone into the green socket on the back of the router. This may be covered by a sticker.

The DO NOT need to buy new phones.

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

google1901 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 00:13:14 GMT

As has been mentioned you do not change existing phone. However, do not plug it in the back of the router. Order the DV phone adapter (BT DV should have advised on this?) and once received sync it to the router then plug the phone into the adaptor. Had to do it for the old chap accross the road, works just fine.

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

licquorice — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 08:34:07 GMT

Why would you need to use DV adapter if plugging a phone into the hub is more convenient? It depends entirely on individual circumstances which method to use, categorically saying don't use the hub socket is nonsense.

Re: DV Handsets v Home DECT Phones

google1901 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 11:13:02 GMT

What do I know, other than (after a 7 - 10 days) BT remote tech got involved (he hooked into SH2 remotely). Repeated all the tests, which failed, then he arranged for new SH2 & adaptor as phone directly connected to SH2 did not work. After a couple of days. We resumed; sync'd the adaptor & phone was working fine. His words 'use the adaptor'. Was it phone socket on the back or SH2 issue? Either way it failed miserably & for this vunerable person to be without a phone for so long is unacceptable. Throughout the 7-10 days I gave him one of our phones (hooked to my base station) in case he needed help. As for BT DV 'seamless changeover', it was not.