Announce Caller Problem

[Cabrothef]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me with my new BT Advanced Z Quad phone?

I am FTTP with Vodafone (installed/connected by Openreach), and plug the base station into the back of the Vodafone router. Everything works ok (phone light lit on router, outgoing calls can be made, and incoming calls received, caller display shows incoming number or name if a match is found in my phonebook). So far, so good.

One reason for buying this phone was for the BT Call Blocking features, including having unknown numbers (ie not in my phonebook) have to announce who they are before I answer (or block). Unfortunately, I cannot get this function to work. If an unknown number calls, the caller hears the Announce Caller message, says their name and presses #, but doesn't get through to me. In fact, the Announce Caller message is then played again, and their call never gets put through.

What do I need to do to get this feature working please?

[Keith_Beddoe]

@Cabrothef 

This is a BT customer forum.

Its more likely to be an issue with the way Vodaphone carry their calls.

Have you asked on their forum?

https://forum.vodafone.co.uk/

Issue is raised here https://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Landline/BT-call-blocking-phone-Doesn-t-accept-from-incoming-calls-t...

There appears to be no fix for this on Vodaphone.

[Cabrothef]

Thanks for your response. I have read the thread you referred to, and it seems like I am not the only one! I also tried test calls, where the OP dialed me and pressed #, and then I dialed the OP and the OP pressed # - the two sounds and quality were quite different, particularly poor when the OP dialed me. So it looks like the BT phone is not recognising the # key after the OP announces their name, and gets in a loop of waiting for it to be pressed.

So it looks like I'll have to go without this feature after all.

Thanks for your assistance.

[licquorice]

The problem isn't with the phone, it's with Vodafone.

[Keith_Beddoe]

Poor quality Vodaphone VOIP connection, probably too little bandwidth.

Passing audio tones over a VOIP connection requires a high quality connection otherwise it gets chopped and distorted. I would hope that outgoing connections are better, otherwise calls that require you to press buttons on a call menu, would fail to be recognised.

There have been no reported issue with BT customers on BT Digital Voice, as I believe BT use a higher bit rate. I think its 128Kbs, as it allows two call to be handled, and HD audio between BT Digital handsets. 

Its possible Vodaphone only use the minimum 64kbs.

[Cabrothef]

Thanks for all your input. I'll see if I can get anywhere with Vodafone now...

[Cabrothef]

Update - the problem seems to be related to the sound when the hash key is pressed. If I call the OP, who then presses the hash key, the tone produced appears fairly good. If the OP calls me, the # key when they press it produces a much poorer quality tone.

On to Vodafone Tech Support, who performed checks on the line. Their conclusion was that because I can make and receive calls, and caller display is working, the line is working perfectly.

I told them that I did not agree, and because I am in the 14 day cooling off period with Vodafone, and am sending their kit back. I have instead signed up with EE.

Thanks for all your inputs.

[Cabrothef · Accepted solution]

Update (final one): moving to EE has meant the Announce Caller function now works properly on the phone.

Thanks all.