Choosing the correct router for our needs

[BevisBeauvais]

Thank you, your observation is germane to the problem. We were originally sold a business package because it was said that this would allow a faster processing capacity until FTTP was available. This order was suspended and replaced with an order for a residential package but then it was decided the business package would be better after all. So it's all been quite confusing. 

[BevisBeauvais]

Which router do we require and what instructions should we give to the Openreach engineer for the following conditions?

When switching to BT we wish to retain our current landline number with broadband connection so that we can use corded phones on our house ethernet with the current connection sockets in three different rooms. At present the external lines to the house are copper wire as BT has not yet equipped  our village with fibre optics. Lastly, we have Bakelite Series 300 phones we would like to retain in a functioning capacity.  

[WSH]

As you have clearly indicated it is not an upgrade to FTTP, (fibre optic), it is very unclear why you are getting an engineer visit.  You need to explain more.

[BevisBeauvais]

We have had four aborted installation visits because on each occasion the particular engineer said the business smart 2 router we had been sent would not give us what we were requesting.

[Anonymous]

@BevisBeauvais 

I can't imagine BT would send you a Business SH2 unless you have a business account, in which case you need to post on the Business Forum:

https://business.forums.bt.com/

Residential & business phone systems are completely different.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

@BevisBeauvais 

Not sure what's meant by "faster processing capacity"?

To achieve what you want on a BT residential service would require your internal extensions to be isolated from the incoming BT wiring. Once isolated, you connect the extension wiring directly to the SH2, & everything should works as before, although very old phones may have issues ringing. This would be entirely your responsibility & not Openreach or BT. Google "voice re-injection".

To achieve similar with a Business line would be completely different, as that's more of a conventional VOIP service. So if BT are willing to provide the required configuration settings, you would need an ATA (analogue telephone adapter) for each handset & that in turn would need to be connected to the router by ethernet.

Don't know if it's just me but the thread seems distorted, with your last reply at the top!

[BevisBeauvais]

Cheers guru, that's great - now I can kind of visualise the physical layout from what you say which helps a lot.

Apologies for the sloppy terminology, I suppose I must mean processing speed in that videos keep buffering, so to speak.  I-player has never worked on the current system and just recently YouTube has topped working all together on the television downstairs, which I presume is because now the contract with the original supplier has ended and BT have been arranging for the line to be kept running until they complete the take over, we will be on a budget service with reduced speed.

Openreach seems to  be stepping back from internal work in buildings and letting customers use local electricians for the sockets and wiring. I was a bit worried about this at first but we've just had a CCTV installation: the firm did a nice job and say they can do the wiring. 

[Anonymous]

There should be no speed/quality difference between a residential & business service on a like-for-like package. So residential seems more appropriate for your stated needs.

There is an alternative to voice re-injection by using BT's Digital Voice Adapters. These are essentially a plug-in DECT socket that you simply plug your old phone into. I think current policy is the first one is free & then you have to buy more if required. Someone with more knowledge will hopefully chip in. These will of course be subject to the usual range limits of DECT, so may not be suitable in a large property. These are only available for residential customers because business doesn't use DECT.

[BevisBeauvais]

Thank you for this: I'll have to familiarise myself with the terminology and acronyms before replying.

[BevisBeauvais]

Yes, message number 5 seems to have been transposed to the beginning of the list. I wonder whether it's a bug  in the system or an AI function of some kind deciding it's machine logic is superior to the real-time sequence of questions and responses.

A residential set-up is starting to sound more straightforward than a business one. You pointed out that the former would involve voice re-injection and suggested that while series 300 phones would work there could possibly be a problem with their ringing - could you perhaps elaborate on that and whether there might be a technological solution. Eccentric as it may sound, the ringing of the bell is aesthetically pleasing as is the whirl of the dial. Also, when the line eventually goes digital would all this still apply?