Digital Voice phones out of range/BT wifi clashing with Existing Lynksys Mesh Wifi

[pebo]

We’ve recently been switched to VoIP by BT (because we wanted to terminate their Broadband) but keep a Landline. We had 3 months of a recurring fault so terminated BT a broadband and signed up to a new full fibre service from another supplier. BT would only allow us to keep our phone service if we switched to VoIP.

we now have both systems, our broadband has a Linksys Mesh Wi-Fi system because the house is big. The BT VoIP however cannot reach all of our new digital handsets. I wasn’t expecting that when BT said we had to go to VoIP. So I’ve now purchased a BT wifi disc to use to extend the signal, but I can’t get it to setup and hold to a solid blue LED. Ie the extender disc won’t fully set up. My guess is that the 2 Wi-Fi systems are clashing, so whenever we get calls I am having to take the digital handsets close to the BT VoIP router. 
Has anyone else experienced this problem and has anyone got a solution to it? 
TIA, Peter

[jac_95]

Hi @pebo 

Have a look at some of the options detailed in the FAQs: https://community.bt.com/t5/Home-phone-including-Digital/Digital-Voice-FAQs/td-p/2207485

The BT Digital Voice handsets don't use WiFI but rather connect to the built in DECT receiver in the Smart Hub. The BT WiFi discs won't help here as the BT Digital Voice handsets or adapters don't connect via WiFi.

If you have your previous handset before the move to Digital Voice you can use these by plugging the base unit into the phone port on the back of the Smart Hub

[pebo]

Hi Jac, Unfortunately we no longer have our old handsets. So if DV doesnt use Wi-Fi, is there any other way to extend the range of the signal of the Smart Hub, as we are dropping calls and not able to connect to calls unless we rush to get closer to the SH? Obviously this is far from ideal. Thanks, Peter

[rbz5416]

There are no options for extending the range of the DECT signal as the SH2 doesn't support extenders. So you only have two options.

Relocate the SH2 more centrally in the house. This can be done by replacing the short ethernet cable between the ONT & SH2 with one up to 100m. You can buy a long cable cheaply to test this & then maybe commission an electrician or  data specialist to run a permanent cable.

Make use of the old extension wiring by splitting  the incoming copper pair from the extension wiring at the master socket. Typically adding a second telephone socket that connects to the back of the SH2 & then makes all the old extensions live for DV. You would then need to repurchase analogue handsets as you say you've disposed of the originals.

A possible third option, maybe in conjunction with moving the SH2, would be to buy a multi-handset DECT system that does support extenders. That base would plug into the back of the SH2 & then you would need to add as many extenders as necessary for your property. It would be best to seek advice on this from a specialist telephony supplier. such as PMC Telecom or Ligo.

[iniltous]

As stated BT DV if you have that as well as VoIP over your alternative network FTTP , is DECT not WiFi and subject to the range restrictions of any other DECT cordless phone .

How did you answer ‘landline’ calls in the extremities of the property before DV ? ,  the DECT wireless range of the BT router is no different to any other DECT base station so presumably you didn’t use cordless phones, if you had wired extension sockets , you can integrate them into the socket on the SH2 , search voice reinjection 

[pebo]

Thanks for the help guys! The old system worked fine because we had many hardwired sockets in every room infact.

If it really is not possible to boost the signal then that seems to be a major flaw in the concept of switching the entire Country to DV by 2025. Having to continue using the old style cordless phones seems to defeat quite a significant part of the objective really. I’m sure many other folk will have a similar problem. 
In practical terms it sounds like I now need to remove 2 of the 3 DV phones we have and buy a new base station and plug that into a DV adapter plug that is paired with the Smart Hub. Grrrrrr! I assume that the Yealink digital extenders won’t do the job, again all thoughts gratefully appreciated.

[Jane2018]

I have a big house too (in fact I also pay for a second broadband line to the 3rd floor as well as the other one to my office downstairs just to be on the safe side). I had 7 landlines (not cordless) around the various parts of the house. I did reduce those just to two now in my home office -one on each landline number in preparation for DV as BT told me London was going to be within it before end of 2023 (it never happened thank goodness).  For me I thought losing the 7 landlines around the house might be a problem but in fact other than I don't hear the phone if I am hoovering upstairs it doesn't really matter. I now wonder if I should put the 6 other landlines back around the house (have kept them all) but will leave it for now as it seems to be fine (I am still analogue not on to DV yet).