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Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

ST7 — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 22:45:16 GMT

Just signed up for fttp and wondering if I can connect my old phone to the hub and also use dect phone at the same time. Mainly as my old phone has an answerphone and call blocker where I've already entered loads of areas code and numbers to block.

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

imjolly — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 22:49:53 GMT

Yes. Just connect existing phone to socket on back of hub.

This will help

https://community.bt.com/t5/Home-phone-including-Digital/Digital-Voice-FAQs/td-p/2207485

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

ST7 — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 23:35:40 GMT

Thanks, will save me hours not having to reblock spam callers

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

J4m58 — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 10:54:14 GMT

Hi, new to the forum and late to this thread.. but need some updated claity on the link below regarding the connection of an analogue phone / DECT base station to a Smarthub 2 router.

Contract is due for renewal shortly and when speaking with BT sales yesterday about ongoing options for transfer to digital voice service I asked about the connection of an existing DECT phone into the green socket on the router (as stated can be done on many BT links) but they are telling me that this can't be done and that after transfering the service over to digitaI voice I won't be able to use my existing DECT phone even if it is plugged into the green socket on the Smarthub 2 (or a new Hub3).

I did point out the information being quoted all over BT sites that "For most customers, the switch to Digital Voice will be as simple as connecting your home phone handset to a router rather than the phone socket on the wall" but was told the only options were no handset and a mobile app or a new digital handset. And that no analogue / DECT phone would work after the change over.

I get a feeling this is sales talk to get people to take the DV handet but hopefuly the forum can clarify what is actually correct.

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

licquorice — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 11:00:39 GMT

I really do despair about the knowledge of the sales staff at BT.

You can categorically continue to use whatever system you have now. The green socket at the rear of the hub is a direct replacement for your current master socket.

I currently have a Panasonic DECT system working using the green socket.

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

J4m58 — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 11:09:33 GMT

Thanks Licquorice,

Suspicions confirmed..

Is your system changed over to DV yet ?

Just wondering as mine is still runnung on the existing analogue line and I tried my DECT base station plugged into the green socket this morning but it's showing line fault on the handset screen. I'm unsure if the green socket is only activated once the transfer to DV has completed ?

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

licquorice — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 11:32:29 GMT

The green socket is the analogue presentation of DV so thus will only become active when DV is activated.

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

Anje — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 11:33:39 GMT

It's good to know I can still use my current phone. But how do I phone BT using my phone if I have lost my internet? How do I ring BT to say I need help? Previously, I could not ring out if I lost electricity unless I had an old analogue type phone as a backup. But when Digital Voice is forced on me, how do I ring my elderly mother or any help line if I lose internet ? How do I get the internet fixed immediately if I cannot contact anyone?

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

licquorice — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 11:39:48 GMT

Mobile phone?

Exactly how you would now if you lost your phone service due to a fault.

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

J4m58 — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 11:52:02 GMT

Ah, ok.. I wasn't sure

Will have a go at sales on Monday this time fore armed..

Thanks again..

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

iniltous — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 11:52:35 GMT

Anyone at all , can , if they feel the ability to continue to make or receive calls during a power cut , can invest in a BBU/UPS , ( a battery back up unit ) that will keep the router powered during a mains power outage , those deemed most at risk may get one supplied otherwise buy your own .

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

Anje — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 11:56:07 GMT

I don't process a mobile because I'm at home and I have a landline.

Previously if I lost internet I could phone BT and I've done this in the past.

If I was unable to phone out due to fault with phone line then I can always logon to my BT account and use the contact me or chat - i've also done tha before.

I call my elderly mother every day at a set time - she also only has a landline.

But if phone is totally reliant on an internet connection then how do ask for help ?
The answer is you cannot. You would have to find someone in the neighbourhood and ask them to help you contact BT. If people are at work then no one is around. It's also assuming you live near people or whether people are willing to assist.

Forcing phones to only function if there is an internet connection is dangerous and could cost lives.

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

imjolly — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 12:02:51 GMT

@Anje

If your mother only has a phone and no broadband then she will be in the very last batch to move to DV 2027 and there will be a solution for people with phone only to use VOIP

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

Anje — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 12:21:44 GMT

Mother has broadband - I would hope BT would auto supply a backup battery which auto works if loss if electric - because she would not know how to make it work. But loss of electric is not the issue - but it's not much use if she loses the internet because then she is cut off. She still thinks the analogue phone would work. You see when you get old nothing is as simple and it's likely to cause panic.

I appreciate your assitance but BT is very naive and short sighted. Digital Voice will be ok providing BT can guarrantee internet connectivity.

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

licquorice — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 12:39:46 GMT

I'm struggling to understand your concern about loss of the internet but not loss of electricity.

The loss of internet in probably greater than 99% of cases is due to a line fault which would also mean the loss of the analogue phone line.

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

iniltous — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 12:46:44 GMT

@Anje

What would you do now ( before you are moved to DV ) if your line developed a fault that stopped you making a call ( your current line is not infallible ) would you move out until your line is is repaired, ( and we know you wouldn’t do that ) then your worry about DV is misplaced, DV is no less reliable than the current system, if power outages are a concern, get a BBU .

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

Anje — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 13:07:47 GMT

Currently:

The phone line and the internet are not the same.

If there is a loss of electrity then modern phones that use a power supply will not work and neither will the computer nor the internet.

BUT an old analague phone does not use a power supply, it just plugs into the phone socket so will still work.

This means people can still ring others including the emergency services.

A really good example of how that old phone was used - read about Boscastle in Cornwall. That old phone service was their only method of getting help.

If there was a loss of internet - this has absolutely no effect on the phone unless the engineer deliberately disconnected the entire connection to the property. Loss of internet is not just able a cable - it can also mean a faulty hub. I've had a loss of internet before due to a faulty hub, but I could still phone BT for help.

Under Digital Voice.

If there is a loss of electricity - no internet - no phone - cannot use the old analogue phone.

If you have this battery power backup thing then all will work - but I bet BT are not installing that by default - maybe if you are a 'vulnerable' person they would install it for free. So it cuts in automatically if power is lost.

However, If there is electricity but loss of internet - no internet - no phone - cannot use the old analogue phone. The battery backup power pack is irrelevant in this senario. The loss of internet may be due to a defective hub.

Stuck and cannot even contact BT to say there is an internet problem let alone get emergency services.

Hence my question - how do I call BT and get them to fix an internet problem regardless of whether it is cable or hub.

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

Anje — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 13:30:01 GMT

I currently use a Panasonic KX-TGH723.
The main phone has it's base and answering machine and address book etc. It has two additional phones which are connected, so use same phone address book and also auto ring when anyone calls. Each phone is on a different floor level. I've only had this phone for a few weeks.
I believe this phone should be able to be used in it's current format providing I use an adapter for the main phone.
Am I correct in thinking this?

I do not want this phone in the same room as the computer and hub. I want main phone in front downstairs room, but hub in a room at the back of house. When BT come to install this new hub and Digital Voice, do they install aload of new wiring or am I wrong?

My BT internet and phone connection block on wall is in the front of house and I use a long underfloor wiring and splitters from front to back of house then connect to hub. Computer connects via ethernet. It seems I'll need a complete wiring from BT to back of house so it goes into the new hub. Am I talking nonsense ?

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

licquorice — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 14:20:43 GMT

If you don't wish to plug your Panasonic base station into the socket at the rear of the hub, you simply need to use a DV adapter that just requires a mains socket and is effectively a portable phone socket.

All explained in the FAQ

Re: Can I use my old phone and DECT on a smart hub

graybag — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 15:01:07 GMT

Hope I'm not "hijacking" this thread,but I have a related Question.

Not long ago I was emailed to tell me I'll shortly be going over to Digital Voice.Similar to a lot of people now my incoming and outgoing Landline Calls are more infrequent than a year or two ago and I tend to use the Extension Phone (in my Bedroom) for all Calls.

Probably,like a lot of older People,the majority of Calls I receive are those nasty Scam Calls (often from Overseas) telling me of "problems" with my Microsoft Internet and the like. I'm not an "early-riser" and these tend to be more prevalent from about 8 till 9 in the morning and my response is usually to tell the (usually young-sounding) Person that I could be their Grandfather and hope they'll soon get a better Job (it really isn't their fault).

At last,sorry it's taken so long,my Question is - When I go over to Digital Voice will I still be able to use my Bedroom Extension?The alternative will be that every time I hear the Phone ring I'll have to get up and go into the Lounge to answer it (although it will usually be those scam Calls I cannot see myself laying in bed and ignoring it as I'll fret that it MIGHT be a Friend or Family).

Sorry to be so long-winded I'm hoping that someone in the know will just say "Yes" it will all work as it always has.

Thanks,in advance,

Graham