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?

[JBB55]

I couldn't believe it either - but so far that seems to be the case. It's worth mentioning that after the replacement (V2) Adapter also failed to fix the problem, I was offered an EE Digital Phone free of charge, which I accepted as a workaround. 

Also I found that some numbers which I called from my old phone, which is plugged into an adapter did work OK - like 1571 to get voice mails. But 150 - to report the fault - did not 😞

[HeidiP2]

@JBB55 @Mustrum @Andy_65 I called the EE helpline and the advisor had never heard of the problem before. But he has sent off another adapter. If that doesn't work, I'll call them again. 

Regarding the ring duration for the answer phone: a text "Help" to 150, and then a further text "VM OFF" was the easiest thing ever. I don't need 1571, and I still couldn't lengthen the duration to 10 rings via the app, so job done. 

[JimM11]

@HeidiP2 Your mobile is not with EE is it, copy below what the help's are to 150. Don't want you turning of the mobile voicemail just incase you need that. Think you can lengthen the ring on the DV via the landline with option keys will try to find that help and copy below also.

About the text service for Pay Monthly? | Mobile Help | EE

Voicemail (1571)
This service answers your calls when
you can’t. Callers can leave a message,
which you can hear by dialling 1571.
If you’ve got messages waiting for you
to listen to, you’ll see lit up and hear
an alert (if set). You can also see the
number of messages waiting for you.
Press to listen to your messages.
You can also record your own personal
greeting or change the ringer delay
from this menu.

Could not find it on the EE Help, the BT site has the Advanced Digital Home Phone
User guide, if you do not already have a copy of it. Text from it is above.

[HeidiP2]

Hi, I didn’t turn my mobile phone VM off, but the EE land line one because it was overriding my BT one. But thanks for your advice 

[HeidiP2 · Accepted solution]

I received a new adaptor for my BT Essential phone - and it works!! I can now call and use the required key functions. Fantastic result and I am sooo glad!! 

[Mustrum]

thanks for the update @HeidiP2  glad to hear it now works.

Is there any noticible difference between units? Might help other customers to know.

[HeidiP2]

@Mustrum No, nothing different I could see.

[HeidiP2]

CORRECTION: it only works for some services. It worked for two hospitals, it did NOT work for my car insurer....! Back to square one; it's frustrating.

[HeidiP2]

@Mustrum Unfortunately, it only works for some services. Calling two hospitals and making choices worked, calling my car insurer does NOT work. Back to square one....!

[Mustrum]

@HeidiP2  could it be worth a trip to Argos/Tesco or your favourite ahopping store and picking up a cheap £10ish corded phone and plug it into the router for such calls?

Not ideal I know, but it should work.