The lack of a usable phone adapter is annoying. Your present choice is the Smart hub 2 (SH2, It ain't smart but don't start me on this!!) or a supplied plug in adapter. If you need to use anything else - TOUGH!
For all the time I've had broadband, some 20 plus years, I've always had my own modem / router on the end. I never had any problems with the kit I've installed. When they changed me over to full fibre, they sent me a Smart Hub 2 and some plug in (home phone) adapters. I've not used the adapters yet as my phone is plugged into the back of the SH2. Since installing the SH2, from time to time, my firewall locks up and can only be reset with a power off re-boot. I know you can use a "third party" router with fibre broadband, but to keep the home phone (the old landline), you have to use that supplied SH2. And there in lies the seat of the problem. If you use your own router, you will lose the home phone connection. But no. EE (tech support ) says you can use the plug in adapters they sent. I have some news. NO you can't!! They do not operate on either of the 2.4ghz or 5ghz WiFi frequencies, but on something a bit lower (1.88ghz range), its in the adapters documentation if you read it. So your own supplied router will never connect up to it. But, surprise surprise, the much hated (by me) SH2 will... DOH!!
I'm not taking my own Firewall out of the equation as it is blocking some devices on my home network from accessing the WWW. If this blocking feature was provided in the SH2, I could be a tiny bit happier. But it's not, the Firewall HAS to remain - even if it does lock up from time to time.
Having now had numerous conversations with EE tech support, this / these are the only option(s) available. Like it or lump it. In other words, my choice is being limited. I have two ATA adapters either of which I could use and I also have a voice capable router available... But the EE voice offering in totally non-standard. How did OFCOM let them get away with this?
As a bill paying EE customer I'm less than happy. I'm glad they've not asked for my opinion of their service because I'm going to be less than generous with my reply.
Before anyone suggests porting the (old land line) phone to another VOIP provider, Yep, Looked into it, but with a high probability of my number getting terminally terminated in the process, I'll (less than happily) lump what I've currently got.
And if any EE / BT big wigs are reading this, please provide a VOIP adapter THAT WILL WORK with the third party routers that can (and do) work with the full fibre offering.
