This topic

Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

dushan — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 09:30:09 GMT

Hi all

I am currently a residential FTTC BT customer. With my current setup that is working well for me, I am using using a Zyxel VMG8924-B10A modem in bridge mode that is next to the NTE5C downstairs. From the modem, I have a CAT6 cable going into the loft to my Netgear R8000P router. In the loft, I have a network switch to hard wire RJ45 ports around the house.

FTTP has now been made available in my area. We are using the copper landline phone at the moment. As a test, I have managed to source a BT Business Smart Hub 2 which I am able to put in bridge mode and directly replace the Zyxel modem, and so keeping the rest of my setup exactly the same. All is working fine with residential FTTC and landline phone.

If I do move to FTTP, from what I understand I am forced to use the BT SH2 to have digital voice. My queries are:

1. Will residential FTTP connect ok with the BT Business Smart Hub 2?

2. Would digital voice work with this BT Business Hub in bridge mode on a residential connection?

If this is the case, then I can simply get the ONT installed downstairs by the master socket, and plug in my main DECT phone into the SH2.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

jac_95 — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 09:40:02 GMT

Hi dushan,

Thanks for the post and welcome to the Community.

This is an automated response as I can see you have a question about BT’s Digital Voice service. Rather than waiting for a response from the Community, you may find an answer to your question by using the search bar on the Community homepage. We also have a thread that contains a wealth of info related to BT’s Digital Voice, click this link to take a look, Digital Voice FAQs.

To learn more about the nationwide change to this Internet based voice service visit landlinesgo.digital

If you have already looked for the answer to your question and have not found anything that can help, then please ignore this message. One of our Community members will be along shortly to help you further.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

David500 — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 10:17:42 GMT

You can’t use the business SH2 to get residential Digital Voice. You have to use the SH2 you will be supplied with, which doesn’t have bridge mode. There are numerous posts about using the SH2 with your own router.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

dushan — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 13:54:11 GMT

I see...if I decide not to get Digital Voice, could I use the Business SH2 in bridge mode with residential FTTP?

I am not sure why the residential SH2 does not have the bridge mode option....

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

chrisjp — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 14:15:55 GMT

"I am not sure why the residential SH2 does not have the bridge mode option...."

BT seem to want to force you to use the residential SH2 exclusively, if you want to keep digital voice.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

David500 — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 14:56:31 GMT

With full fibre the ONT, that will be fitted as part of the installation, is the modem. If you don’t want Digital Voice the Zyxel VMG8924-B10A, which seems to have WAN port, can be connect directly to the ONT with CAT5e/6 cable. So from your original post the existing CAT6 cable going to the loft can be plugged directly into the new ONT when fitted.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

licquorice — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 18:22:25 GMT

If you don't wish to have DV, you don't need anything in bridge mode, the ONT is the modem you don't need 2. Just connect your Netgear directly to the ONT.

There would be no point in the SH2 having a bridge mode as if it did there wouldn't be access to the IP layer for VoIP in any case.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

gg30340 — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 23:18:45 GMT

@chrisjp wrote:

BT seem to want to force you to use the residential SH2 exclusively, if you want to keep digital voice.

That is correct because BT want you to use their DV on their system in order to be able to ensure that they can 100% support it, they need to have oversight and be aware of all the systems that they are selling to their customer.

BT do allow other VOIP systems to be used on the BT network but they do not support this as they can not guarantee that they could fix any problems that may arise due to the differing systems and equipment.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

michaelkenward — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 12:03:42 GMT

@dushanwrote:

2. Would digital voice work with this BT Business Hub in bridge mode on a residential connection?

The FAQ that you have been advised to consult seems to be all about the Smart Hub2. That may not be much help for the Business Hub.

As your subject suggests, you may be forced to go for a Smart Hub2. As others say, the bad news is that it doesn't allow bridge mode. But that is easily circumvented so that you can use a more capable router for the rest of the network.

I recently did this with a Smart Hub2 and a Netgear MR90 router. (The Netgear R8000P is getting a bit long in the tooth.)

The key is to set up the Smart Hub2 with a local IP address that does not clash with whatever you have the Netgear R8000P on. By default it will allocate itself 192.168.1.1. That clashes with the Smart Hub2 which squats on 192.168.1.254.

I set my Smart Hub2 to use 192.168.2.1.

Then I went to:

My Devices
Look for your router's IP address (in my case, it was 192.168.2.175)

After I connected things, I went into the Smart Hub2

Advanced settings
Firewall
Configuration
DMZ
On
Look at the drop down and pick the IP address that the Smart Hub2 has allocated to your main router

Since doing that all has been well. No conflicts between the two routers. (I have turned off the redundant wifi from the Smart Hub2.) Both routers are accessible using the a web browser and the graphical user interface (GUI) aimed at their IP addresses.

I have yet to be forced on to Digital Voice so I don't know if that works.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

WSH — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 12:16:34 GMT

DV works fine, (so long as the SH2 is the thing connected to the outside line).

You don’t need the DMZ setting unless you allow unsolicited incoming traffic for gaming/your own server etc. Normal browsing, email, TV and, (at least my), VPN work fine without.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

michaelkenward — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 13:02:32 GMT

@WSHwrote:
You don’t need the DMZ setting unless you allow unsolicited incoming traffic for gaming/your own server etc. Normal browsing, email, TV and, (at least my), VPN work fine without.

You do if you want to add decent routers to the BT junk.

Been there, done that. Next to nothing works if you just slap router on to router.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

licquorice — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:33:43 GMT

@michaelkenward wrote:

The FAQ that you have been advised to consult seems to be all about the Smart Hub2. That may not be much help for the Business Hub.

Obviously, as (a) this is the residential forum and more importantly (b) DV ONLY works with the Smart Hub 2

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

michaelkenward — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:49:01 GMT

@licquoricewrote:
@michaelkenwardwrote:
The FAQ that you have been advised to consult seems to be all about the Smart Hub2. That may not be much help for the Business Hub.
Obviously, as (a) this is the residential forum and more importantly (b) DV ONLY works with the Smart Hub 2

If you read the first question from @dushan you will see that they said:

As a test, I have managed to source a BT Business Smart Hub 2 which I am able to put in bridge mode and directly replace the Zyxel modem, and so keeping the rest of my setup exactly the same. All is working fine with residential FTTC and landline phone.

I thought it courteous to mention that in my reply. Isn't it normal practice around here to cover all the ground?

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

licquorice — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:56:04 GMT

Your complaint was that there is nothing in the FAQ regarding the Business Hub, why would there be?

If you had read the thread you would have noticed I had already commented regarding using a business hub in any case.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

michaelkenward — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 17:55:29 GMT

@licquoricewrote:
Your complaint was that there is nothing in the FAQ regarding the Business Hub, why would there be?

Complaint?

Weird.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

WSH — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 18:34:36 GMT

@michaelkenward

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion but I currently run a Draytek next to the SH2 for DV and have no problems with the DMZ disabled. Several years ago, when FTTC/VDSL first appeared, I was running a Billion 7800 ADSL router through a Home Hub 5, before anyone even talked about DMZ Hosts. Again, never had a problem in the two years I ran that set up.

You only need the DMZ setting as a lazy way to port forward for unsolicited incoming traffic and that in turn is only needed for gaming, running your own servers etc. But, as I said, each to his own. If you find the DMZ Host useful by all means, use it.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

michaelkenward — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 19:48:42 GMT

It probably depends on what you plan to do.

Netgear's routers come with all manner of bells and whistles that are far easier to use if you have the router in charge. The Netgear Nighthawk app, for example for remote management, let alone subscription services like parental controls.

I got the impression from @dushan that they had a network that hinged on an R8000P. (It isn't for me to tell them that this is an old and troublesome router, but it does support some of Netgear's bells and whistles.) So I was just explaining how I managed to get a BT modem/router to play ball and let me use a Netgear router with two Mesh satellites and 6 GHz wifi. And having done so, I can assure you that this approach is anything but "a lazy way to port forward" anything.

The use of DMZ is an almost daily suggestion over in the Netgear equivalent of this place. The preferred options are either to have a modem-only box or a modem/router in bridge mode.

BT hates it when people try the former – it refuses to even look at network issues without a Smart Hub in place. And bridge mode is not possible with BT's modem/routers.

I guess it boils down to what @dushan wants to do. Giving more choices might help in that decision.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

licquorice — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 20:18:00 GMT

There are only 2 choices when moving to FTTP. DV or not DV.

If not, no other device is needed, the Netgear connects directly to the ONT.

If DV then the SH2 must be connected to the ONT.

Re: Digital Voice with BT Smart Hub 2 in bridge mode

michaelkenward — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 21:18:43 GMT

@licquoricewrote:
There are only 2 choices when moving to FTTP. DV or not DV.
If not, no other device is needed, the Netgear connects directly to the ONT.

Good point. Could be the cue to ditch my phone line account. After all, it was only there when I needed fax access and had a dial-up modem.

Think I'll take that line when Digital Voice gets here.

Not sure what it does for @dushan, but thanks for the thought. Much appreciated. Might even be the prompt to say farewell BT/EE.