First Telecom - caller ID won't work!

mattyh

First Telecom (cheap service provider that provide a dialler box that works with NTL/Telewest as well as BT) may claim that their free box doesn't affect your phone line, but be aware that functions such as Caller-ID / Caller Display simply don't work!

I emailed their support and they had the cheek to tell me that if i wanted to use 'advanced' functions (is caller ID really that advanced these days?) they'd need their enhanced box that'll cost me £10

£10 to correct what their service stops working doesn't seem right!!

phoneman44

Most free diallers do not have an independant power supply and therefore will affect services such as caller display.

If you were to buy a dialler with a power supply from Orchid it would cost you £19.98 (less MSE discount) therefore £10 sounds like a bit of a bargin to me!

mattyh

nah, not convinced with that. The dialler is just a box that sits between your phone and socket and dials some extra numbers to connect you to a cheaper rate.

Can't see why that should affect incoming calls, and I can't see how it's worth £10 to save probably 50p a month!

phoneman44

Not convinced?

Refer to the manufacturers web sit http://www.orchid-electronics.com/Diallers/v4.htm and check under the heading of 'Caller Display'.

Diallers that sit on the line with no independent power supply are powered by the line REN. You will find that certain functions an your line are also require a specified REN (such as caller display equipment/phone functionality), demand too much from your line and things will stop working.

Of course you have to balance the pro's/con's of buying equipment to enable you to use caller display, however I suppose the providers also have to weigh up the pro's and cons of supplying an additional more expensive dialler free of charge when it will take x months to recoup the cost.

I am surprised that the likes of OneTel and FT are not charging more than £10 for this type of equipment - maybe you should ask them for an 0800/0808 access code.

pricefighter

phoneman44 wrote:

maybe you should ask them for an 0800/0808 access code.

Dont they send the freephone access number to you before the box reaches you so that you can use the service straight away,and use it in future from another extension you havent got a smartbox on.

phoneman44

I had their service when I was with Telewest and used 08081885060. This was before they had a specific Cable tariff so I am not sure if it will work.

There is no mention of an access code on the website, but there has to be one for the dialler to operate.

mattyh

Fair point about the techie bits, i understand now. Though I still think the service is misleading and should tell you beforehand that stuff will stop working!

I did actually ask them what the access number/code is - as i'm happy to dial it manually or save it in my speeddials, but they refused and said it is not possible!

Not sure why - surely it's just a number?! I'll try that 0808 number tonight though - unless anyone has any ideas how to disect the number from the line as i can hear the tones as it dials!!