How to Permanently Turn Off or disable EE Digital Voice Answer Phone?

[jim-hughes]

HELP - How do you permanently turn off or disable EE Digital Voice Answer Phone?

I don't want this service.

I cannot get to the phone in time (even on the longest ring....which seems to be about 8-rings) due to mobility issues. 

I cannot imagine that there is not a way to turn off the answerphone - but I cant find a way or any information on the internet including this community.

The handset I have was supplied by BT and is the Essential Digital Home Phone (100% wireless).... would a different handset make any difference?

If you also have issues with an answerphone that you cant turn off, please post a comment.

Thanks 

[JimM11]

@jim-hughes To save you some time, there is NO phone you can change to, and you cannot turn of the EE version of voicemail on the DV system. Now there are many and confusing post's that you can do it, and you cannot do it, and some have posted from the horse's mouth that i have spoken to EE CS and they told me that IT CANNOT BE DONE.

If so then you can only dial 150 from your phone, get to Tech services and see if some kind EE Tech can switch it of for you.

Max is 10 rings before the EE voice system will pick up and record the message, but will try my best to get an answer for you!!!

[jim-hughes]

thanks for the quick and direct reply @JimM11 .

I am surprised that there is NO phone to change to, and its not possible to turn off the EE version of voicemail on the DV system.

I appreciate knowing that tips and suggestions on the internet are wrong and it's simply not possible to turn off the answer phone.. I wonder if it is possible on the BT version of Digital Voice.

The solution of some EE Tech wizz being able to fix this/ turn it off behind the scenes seems to be the only way forward (and/or EE realising that not everyone wants an answer phone and them changing their system).

Perhaps anyone else who wants to turn off their Digital Voice answer phone can comment, and we can build sufficient interest in this topic for EE to pay attention and resolve it.

[JimM11]

@jim-hughes There are 2 problems, you can go out buy a phone with a base and built in answering machine, lower its rings and let it grab the phone call and start to record, BUT if you are on a call because the new DV system allows 2 calls, then you can be left a voicemail and you would not even have a clue that it was there, the phones are somehow not indicating message sitting, tone change when you pick up to listen before dialling, so few problems out there. You can if you wish to waste money and go out and buy a replacement phone, but it may be quite futile. There may be some specific technical reason behind the DV system, and trying to find answer for you. And yes with BT you could call and they would turn it off, same as you could with Virgin Media similar service, but EE as far as i can see, the answer is NO, so as soon as i hear back from the Tech will let you know. Feel free to look through the other post's, your in the right area.

[jim-hughes]

Thanks for looking into this.

As I am not very mobile, I cannot get to the telephone before the answer phone kicks in - even with the longest delay.

Its very frustrating that even EE techs cannot turn off the answer phone service.

I try to have the phone near me when I am expecting a call, but its not always possible.

If EE cant fix this problem, then I'll have to try and get a phone in every room and by my bed, so that I am closer to one when it rings.  Thats all I can think of.

[JimM11]

@jim-hughes As soon as i can get a definitive answer i will post it up to you, your phone is fine, designed to work on the DV system, just possibly few gremlins at present, can one assume that you are new to EE and now thrown to the lions with the DV system in place, or you just did not worry before about this voicemail issue?

Edit: below is the BT link if you wish to read it. trying to find EE info but not so forthcoming at present...

All about Voicemail | BT Help

[JimM11]

@jim-hughes The reply so far, is that the question i posed regarding {turning of voicemail for customer calling and wishing to do so}, but what else will {{happen or is it even possible}}, then the answer back is it has been asked of the specialist DV team and as soon as they reply then the EE contact will message me back. Just so you know, keeping you posted so far.🤞

[JimM11]

@jim-hughes Finally a reply from EE, so copied below, but not much detail unfortunately so not sure if it would help. Let me know if i can help further.

Hi mate, apologies for the delay. I've been told no it's not possible to turn off voicemail at the moment you can only have it removed. I've heard this is potentially going to change, but no time scale yet unfortunately.  

And this was the question i asked.

DV on EE system

Jordan, as you seem to be the front for the DV was wondering if you could let me know. If it is possible for a customer to have only the ability to call EE CS and have the VOICEMAIL option turned off if they require it as a request for there DV landline. The forum is back and forth yes/no so it is completely up in the air at present. Regards Jim.

[dodgypodgy]

The 1571 service is chargeable so EE has an incentive to prevent customers from terminating it. How many elderly customers will suffer injuries from falling while rushing to answer calls is a moot point. A 15 second time limit to respond to answer phone calls is ridiculously short.

[JimM11]

@dodgypodgy The 1571 is chargeable but only if you decide to do the return call feature that it offers, so just do not do that, hanging up from voicemail once you have listened to the message, and call then through normal means. Time can be increased but estimated at about 30 seconds for the 10 ring max, still not a great time for people with mobility issues to get to the phone.

It does appear that EE are now playing hardball with the complete REMOVAL of the service, but they are reviewing the Vulnerable Person's status, and would hope that they do include this in the interest of aged and infirm with mobility issues, this may aide in getting the REMOVAL off the service. If i hear off the status changing with regards to any update for DISABLING the feature off voicemail i will be sure to let you know, but as it currently stand's pegged for review but no TIMESCALE for IF/WHEN this may happen.....