Like it or lump it (Phone adapter)

[ChipDriver]

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.

[bobpullen]

---

@ChipDriver wrote:

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!!

---

They communicate using DECT CAT-iq - exactly the same as a cordless handset would to communmicate with its basestation/cradle. And here-in lies the problem with your suggestion/request: the actual voice registration is managed by the hub - not the adapters - and BT/EE aren't in the practice of sharing these details with users. I imagine one reason is so that they can restrict use of the service to a fixed geographical location. This all but makes your ambition to use a third party router a non-starter.

You said not to mention it, but the only viable choice I see is to port your number to a third-party SIP provider. I hear good things about AAISP and have seen evidence of many a successful port over on the Plusnet Community forums. 

[chrisjp1]

It seems the EE telephone agents are clueless about this. The adapters connect to the Smarthub 2 by DECT, and not WiFi. This is actually an advantage because DECT transmissions are better at penetrating house walls than WiFi ones are. 

But, as you say, they do require the Smarthub to be directly connected to the incoming service line, whether that is from a copper or fibre line. This is because the EE/BT telephone system is proprietary and works only with the Smarthub.

Some users have arranged for the own router to be connected immediately downstream of the Smarthub. I'm not expert at how you set this up, but a search on this forum or on the BT community one will bring up advice on how to do this.

Incidentally, the EE version of the Smarthub 2 is thought by many to be techically superior to the BT version. But it sounds as though you have a BT type Smarthub 2. If that's the case, you could ask EE to supply you with their own hub - or you can buy one online for around £20.

[XRaySpeX]

Simply, the EE ATA's connect with the EE router over DECT, just like cordless phones. The EE router incorporates a DECT base station. Hence they work. Generic routers will not incorporate a DECT base station. Hence the ATA's won't connect to them.

[garybs29]

And why do people think EE should support every combination of 3rd party equipment out there? It's much simpler to supply something that works with their equipment only