Cordless phones not working - plug in does!

[s+cornwell]

I've just moved to Sky and I have Sky talk. I've had a BT cordless set (4 phones) for years and they have happily been plugged into the main BT box.

When I plugged my cordless phone in I get no tone, but I do with a standard plug in phone?

What do I do next?

[Mark39]

Are you plugging your cordless phone (base station) into your broadband Hub?

(Edited for clarity).

[s+cornwell]

Yes I am - at first I tried with a new extension lead and thought that was the issue, but I get a tone with both that and the tiny cable that comes with the standard plug in phone 

[Mark39]

Most cordless phones should be ok with Sky internet calls (Sky VOIP) but not BT phones designed to work exclusively with BT's Digital Voice service. I'm wondering if that's the issue?

[s+cornwell]

I was hoping that wasn't going to be the answer, but it wouldnt surprise me

[s+cornwell]

Do i need DECT phones?

[Mark39]

Yes, a standard DECT phone should be fine.

[TimmyBGood]

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@s+cornwell wrote:

I've just moved to Sky and I have Sky talk. I've had a BT cordless set (4 phones) for years and they have happily been plugged into the main BT box.

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Just to be clear, the BT 'Digital Voice' family of WiFi phones is proprietary technology which only functions where BT Broadband is the ISP and a BT Smart Hub 2 is the router, because it's the BT Hub which acts as base station. Unfortunately there appears to be no way to convert the telephone hardware to be usable with other ISP broadband or as conventional handsets.

[s+cornwell]

Can anyone recommend cordless DECT phones? looking for  triple pack 

[cymru123]

@s+cornwell 

Just to be clear what model are your BT Handset?

It's only the BT Digital Voice specific handsets, such as BT essential digital voice or BT Advanced digital voice with Alexa handsets that are only only compatible with BT's own digital voice service (as they only connect to the BT Smart Hub 2 via the Hub's built in DECT transmitter (not WiFi))

Other BT handset should work.

If you changed to Sky recently then you will be on Sky Talk with Internet Calls I assume? Where you need to plug the handsets into the phone port on the back of Sky's router (sky router should have a voice light that is green if you are indeed on Sky Talk with Internet Calls)

In some cases such as with Virgin 's own internet based calls service you it requires the bell wire connection for the ringer to work, using a micro filter between the routers ATA phone port and the phones base unit usually resolves this.

[TimmyBGood]

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@cymru123 wrote:

(as they only connect to the BT Smart Hub 2 via the Hub's built in DECT transmitter (not WiFi))

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I think they are WiFi, because they make the handshake with the Hub using WPS.  If they were DECT then they could be compatible with other systems.

https://www.bt.com/help/landline/digital-voice--how-do-i-set-up-my-service- 

(although the declaration on the product spec sheet also lists a DECT requency.  Interesting.)

[cymru123]

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@TimmyBGood wrote:

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@cymru123 wrote:

(as they only connect to the BT Smart Hub 2 via the Hub's built in DECT transmitter (not WiFi))

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I think they are WiFi, because they make the handshake with the Hub using WPS.  If they were DECT then they could be compatible with other systems.

https://www.bt.com/help/landline/digital-voice--how-do-i-set-up-my-service- 

(although the declaration on the product spec sheet also lists a DECT requency.  Interesting.)

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@TimmyBGood 

They are DECT based and can indeed be paried to a DECT GAP compatible base unit but it will render it to just making phone calls and receiving them - I know as I've done it.

See spec at back of manual where you'll find The Radio transmission information

Frequency range (MHz) Max power

1881.792–1897.344 250mW

This is DECT frequency range

The WPS button on smart hub 2 acts as dual functionality 

[cymru123]

@TimmyBGood 

They are indeed DECT based and not WiFi

See specs at back https://www.bt.com/content/dam/bt/help/digital-voice/advanced-phone/BT-Advanced-Digital-Home-Phone-U...

As you can see the Radio transmission information

Frequency range (MHz) Max power

1881.792–1897.344 250mW

This is DECT frequency https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_enhanced_cordless_telecommunications

And yea they can be paired to a GAP DECT compatible base unit but will render the handset to very basic functionality - i.e only able to make and receive calls. I have indeed tried this.

Also please refer to the BT community FAQs where it has been confirmed they are indeed DECT based and not using WiFI

[cymru123]

@TimmyBGood 

Why are you marking as spam, it's factual information about how the handsets 

I repeat the BT Digital Voice Handsets are indeed DECT based and not WiFi. They can be paired to a GAP DECT compatible unit but will render them to basic functionality of only being able to make and receive calls.

The BT Smart Hub 2 's WPS button has dual functionality.

[Mark39]

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@cymru123 wrote:

Why are you marking as spam, it's factual information about how the handsets 

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That's not possible on the forum.