Connecting Digital Voice

[iniltous]

The liberalisation of equipment supply in the early 1980’s ( so well over 40 years ago ) requires that the customers own extension wiring be connected to the removable consumer panel of the master socket , so if a customer made a mess of their own wiring , it’s simplicity itself to disconnect it from the ‘line’ by unplugging the consumer panel from the master socket , call out Openreach in these circumstances where the customer messes up and refuses to disconnect their wiring by removing the panel and insisting on a visit is a chargable event ….messing internal wiring up only afects that consumers line , no one else’s , so in that respect OR don’t particularly care .

As far as does voice reinjection need to be from the master socket , no , any socket in the ‘chain’ can be utilised to connect to the router but the isolation between the ‘outside line’  and the internal wiring needs to  be at the master socket , plus as stated if the router isn’t to connect to the master socket but an extension socket then a DSL connection needs to remain between the master and extension socket for the router to be able to use that extension socket .

I’m not judging , if someone wants to stand in a hallway to make or receive calls , that’s entirely up to them , but in your case the obvious and simple solution is a DECT handset running on its battery during the day , located in the hallway  , and placed on its charging cradle to charge overnight , that charging cradle likely to be the DECT basestation that’s connected to the router phone port …that way no mains needed in the hallway , what’s more should the person on the phone fancy a comfortable sit down somewhere else , they are not tied by a phone cord , although I sense a ‘why should I buy a new cordless phone’ comment will be forthcoming.

[Tim123]

@licquorice - I guess that's true, but my parents are set in their ways! They sit on the stairs if on the downstairs phone for any length of time. Upstairs they take it into the adjoining bedroom and sit on the bed, or into the 'office' on the other side of the landing and sit on a comfy swivel chair beside the computer. They have an extension in the kitchen as well and use that for phoning businesses, sitting at the table and making notes. The extension sockets all bear the old British Telecom "T" (in a circle) logo, as does the master socket. I don't know why they never had extensions put in the lounge or master bedroom, but they've always managed without and have never even gone cordless, though my father has a 'smart' mobile phone. I suppose there's something to be said for keeping one's bedroom a peaceful 'phone free' zone! And I do think corded phones make you listen more carefully to the other person as you can't pace around and distract yourself. Having a proper phone conservation seems to be a dying art, like letter writing.

[Jans1]

Thank you for all the responses to my original query.

I gave in and bought a new handset and DV is now working.  I had to install the phone near the BT Hub, so in the living room, now whenever the phone rings I jump about 5 feet!😅

[Jane2018]

I certainly remember the days when phones (owned by BT not the customer) were in the hallway. I remember thinking we were well off because my doctor father also had an extension upstairs by the bed for "on call" night calls whereas most girls at school just had the one phone and ujsually in the hallway only which is where I think BT put it. It might flow from the days when a servant even in middle class homes with a maid might answer the phone and see if the mistress of the house were available (Hyacinth Bucket is now coming to mind.....)

At peak time here in my house we had phones in SEVEN rooms round the house. I am now down to one in my home office (on digital voice now).