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Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

maxiheed — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 13:06:06 GMT

Now on my 3rd digital handset - the last handset was not charging the batteries. Each time and frequently hit problems on the 2nd handset , was so unusable/unreliable that I took an old siemens DECT phone from the loft store ,, registered and works fine with no problems - but with only one Siemens phone, we had to run upstairs to answer it when the BT DV wasn't working. So hoping this latest 3rd swap out phone will work consistently. Unfortunately, due to the unreliability of BT DV , most of our friends and contacts call us on our mobile phones. Final angst is that there are senior folks in the village who do not have mobile phones but have been forced over to BT DV - If they have an emergency and need to dial 999 from the home phone like they used to, they can't. BT should find an answer to this given they took away the ability

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

imjolly — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 13:11:13 GMT

@maxiheed

from other posts on the forum the problem appears to be poor rechargeable batteries not holding their charge and not problems with the DV handsets not charging. the problem being solved by purchasing new rechargeable batteries

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

maxiheed — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:07:19 GMT

Thanks - makes sense.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

Keith_Beddoe — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:25:31 GMT

@maxiheed

Its a common issue with this phone, they are sending out phones with faulty batteries, or ones that have been left to discharge too low, while the phone was in the warehouse.

You can prove this by temporarily swapping the batteries to ordinary alkaline ones, but do not put it on the charger base.

If the phone works with alkaline batteries, then it proves the rechargeable ones are no good, and need replacing.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

iniltous — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:33:01 GMT

Isn’t the title of the post is wrong then ? , presumably it should be ‘ Why are the ‘free’ Digital Voice handsets supplied to use with DV so bad ?’ as the complaints aired have nothing to do with DV as a system, but the equipment connected to it , it’s pretty simple really , just use the telephone instrument ( or instruments ) you had before migrating to DV ,
If the free kit isn’t much use , don’t use it , if someone happens to be one of the very few that actually used their own money to but a DV handset, return it for a refund if it’s not performing correctly.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

Anonymous — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:39:53 GMT

@iniltouswrote:
Isn’t the title of the post is wrong then ?

In @maxiheed's defence, the post was hived off from another thread they posted in. So the thread title isn't theirs. It's a common issue with the practice where you end up with thread content that bears little relation to the copied thread title.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

Jane2018 — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:04:40 GMT

I am not on DV yet but have just corded phones so am hoping I avoid these problems with phones with batteries in as my phones have no batteries in at all - nicely old school.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

Tim123 — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 19:52:11 GMT

@maxiheed- Try plugging a corded phone into the phone socket on the back of the router (there is still one on the market, the cheap BT Duet 210, that requires neither batteries nor mains power to work) and see if that helps.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

dvisuseless — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 18:14:54 GMT

When I see posts such as this I am totally lost. I am not tech savvy. All I know is that my BT digital voice doesn't work. The only thing I have managed is to plug a 30 year old handset into my BT hub. I cannot use my DV digital handset. I have lost my ability to see incoming numbers, to have an answerphone, to block numbers, in fact to do anything but pick up the receiver with dread. Shame on BT for making people like me feel so much more vulnerable in our own homes.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

RIC9380 — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 18:35:32 GMT

Just to advise of my experience of BT Digital Voice which I have had without any problems since 2018.

Numbers and names come up on every incoming call and potential nuisance calls are identified as such. The service comes with free Voicemail, forwarding to my mobile phone and call blocking with1572 Call Protect.

I've found the BT Advanced Digital Handsets to be excellent with brilliant sound quality and straightforward and intuitive menus. There's no way I would go back to a 30 year old analogue phone.

RIC9380

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

iniltous — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 18:44:34 GMT

@dvisuseless , If preferring to use a 30 year old telephone instrument on a 40 year old telephone exchange, presumably you don’t have a mobile phone , or a modern TV , or a electric vehicle ( or even one that runs on unleaded fuel ) you don’t go on holiday because you have to use ‘modern’ check in methods , don’t use a credit or debit card for purchases….but I’d go out on a limb and say you do use the vast majority of those modern versions of older devices or procedures….and just like you got used to them , you will get use to DV .

FWIW , DV isn’t useless, occasionally the user is the problem not the technology.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

dvisuseless — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:00:46 GMT

If you just want to be insulting , then go ahead. you are right I don't use some of those things, but at least I used to be able to rely on my landline. If I as the user is a problem, then I guess yo think I can just be written off as a loser.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

dvisuseless — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:09:43 GMT

ps I'm imagining a future where you are left behind by the next generation and feel useless.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

WSH — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:27:24 GMT

Does the 30-year-old phone work? If it does then DV must be working, so I take it you’ve tried plugging your answerphone into the green socket on the back of the Smart Hub?

I’ve been using a Panasonic cordless answerphone with DV now for two years and everything works as before, so your problem should be fixable.

I’ve not used the DV handsets they supply but I believe they have to be paired with the Smart Hub, like a cordless phone handset needs to be paired with its base station. Presumably, there would be some instructions with it explaining that. If not, we can probably find a copy for you online.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

dvisuseless — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:43:28 GMT

Thanks WSH. I had rather given up, but will try again given this encouragement to use an old answerphone. My attempts to pair a DV handset worked sporadically, but eventually failed because it constantly said it was needing to sync. Thank you for not implying I am useless.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

WSH — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:56:28 GMT

If it keeps dropping the sync two things:

1) Are the batteries holding their charge? The batteries in the early handsets were notoriously rubbish. You might be better getting new rechargeables yourself. Just make sure they are rechargable batteries of the same specification as the originals.

2) If the batteries are OK then it implies that where you have the Smart Hub is not allowing the signal to reach the handsets reliably. Perhaps using a longer cable to allow you to change where the Smart Hub is positioned will help. Generally, if you can put it a bit higher up and give it clear line of sight on the handset it will help.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

dvisuseless — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 20:05:27 GMT

Thanks WSH I will check both those things out. I think it must be the batteries, because it hasn't worked even if the handset is right next to the hub.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

WSH — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 20:15:12 GMT

Ah, right. It’s the batteries then.

I’m told the batteries in those handsets are cheap rubbish. I’ve not used them myself but I believe they are removable and I seem to recall the advice that’s been given on here in the past is that you’ll be better taking them out and chucking them. You can buy replacements yourself that are better. As I said, just make sure they are rechargeables and the same specification.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

maxiheed — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 22:57:40 GMT

Hi all .

BT Digital voice handset is in the bin. As painful as it was, managed to move and notify all my contacts to my Vodafone Mobile.

Adding BT Digital voice was a complete waste of my time and an example of digital Equipment badly designed, supported and archaic.

Thanks to all on the community that responded, but I know a dead duck when I see one.

So signing off from the forum ,

All the best.

Re: Why is BT Digital Voice so bad? - now on my 3rd replacement handset

maxiheed — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 22:58:56 GMT

My advice - Bin BT digital voice, its a dead duck.