BT Essential phone with easy call blocking and answer machine

[HeidiP2]

I have a Digital cordless BT phone (Model K5-F91 TAM) which I bought in July 2023. In spring this year we switched the broadband from Sky to EE. Now it does not accept the inbuilt answer phone anymore (I only get messages by dialing 1571) and I can also not use the keypad to select choices which are given to me by service providers. Both features are absolutely necessary as my husband does not have a mobile phone and therefore cannot connect to any service which requires "select 1, select 2" etc.

An EE technician came to look at the problem but couldn't solve it. What do I do?

[HeidiP2]

I had several conversation with @Andy_65 but can't find  them anymore. So here goes: In 2023 I bought a BT Essential Phone with easy call blocking and answer machine (model K55-F91-TAM) which worked fine until I switched from Sky to EE broadband. Apparently I now have Digital Voice. 

@Andy_65 explained that I had to change the ring duration of the EE answer phone to be longer than the BT ring duration in order to use my BT answer phone as opposed to 1571. I'm still trying to do that, but EE says "they're working on solving some sort of problem" which does not let me change that. The website was out of action for this as well...! I'll try again tomorrow.

The second problem I have is that the phone line is connected to a Home Phone Adapter VA (model X16-G90). So when I call a service which gives me several options to select, the handset will not accept the numbers I type in. I just found out, that this is not a problem when the phone line is plugged in directly into the router. So the adapter causes the problem and I was wondering if I can get a different adapter, as obviously it is important to be able to chose services for eg hospital departments. 

I hope that all makes sense.

[Andy_65]

@HeidiP2 I'd suggest calling Customer Services for another adapter if you need one, I'd also make the point that your online account and the app has issues with being able to set the number of rings for voicemail. 

With the BT unit plugged into your router, test the range of the handset. It it's acceptable I'd suggest going without the adapter.

[Mustrum]

@XRaySpeX  I also was part of the thread originated by @HeidiP2  - even have emails to prove it, however the thread has disappeared.

Originally it was in the Devices/Other phones & Devices section.

@HeidiP2  if you remember it was me who mentioned the adapter issues 😀

Also the App can also give issues, if it keeps giving that message the calling CS should get it sorted.

[HeidiP2]

@Mustrum Yes, I do remember that you gave tips. Thank you all @Andy_65 @Mustrum @XRaySpeX I give up for now but will contact EE CS tomorrow. I'm so looking forward to it - nothing better to do on a sunny Saturday afternoon ...!

[XRaySpeX]

Yes, @Andy_65 , I recollect seeing that as recently as earlier today but when @HeidiP2 started this new thread I could  no longer find it even going from your posting history..

[Mustrum]

The original thread has been tracked down and reinstated after I raised a query. Seems someone moved it to a private board!

[JimM11]

@HeidiP2 @Andy_65 Would forget about trying to get another adapter, earlier OP posting done, completed, and still the same results, SOME key function will just not work over the adapter, was even posted will link the post below.  And @HeidiP2 see the final Peter-w response, if you wish to go head to head, then he's the one to help.

Edit: Solved: Landline keypad response does not registe - The EE Community

[HeidiP2]

I’m very grateful for that input and will get in touch with the technical team. 

[HeidiP2]

@JBB55 it affects me and I have a BT digital Essential Phone model K55-F91 TAM. Plugged into the router it’s fine, with the adapter the key pad for service choices doesn’t work. My router is not where I want my telephone to be, and I can’t believe that they can’t find a solution to the problem.

[Mustrum]

@HeidiP2   there are ways to get around it, but it seems the adapter does not do what people expect it to do.

Were it me, as I already have it, I would plug my cordless dect phone base station into the router and use the cordless phones where I want. Some Dect phones can also be paired to the router which may also work for some. Or even a cheap £10 corded phone plugged into the router for times when I need to be able to respond to systems.

Do these adapters cost anything - can you get your money back?