Talk talk phone line problem

decbel

Hello.

Over the last 3/4 days I've lost the dial tone on my home phone. Broadband is unaffected.

I've conducted live chats as I cannot afford extended time on mobile phones.

They've done numerous 'intrusive' line tests which appear to show no problem.

The phone worked today for about 9 hours and has just gone dead again. The agents have started to suggest that the problem is within the home. I can't see how as it would not work at all. I certainly don't want those robbers from Openreach here.

The next call back slot is now saturday. I booked a call back slot for today and as promised the technician rang but as the phone was then working again there was nothing to say. I asked why he thought it was then working. He suggested that a software tweak had been done.

Now the phone is not working again.

Going around in a circle

Any suggestions please.

wongataa

Openreach aren't robbers. If your working phone is plugged into the test socket and there are still problems it proves the fault is not in your house and you won't be charged if anyone comes out. Openreach aren't responsible for your internal wiring which is why they charge if the fault is with that.

decbel

wongataa wrote: »

Openreach aren't robbers. If your working phone is plugged into the test socket and there are still problems it proves the fault is not in your house and you won't be charged if anyone comes out. Openreach aren't responsible for your internal wiring which is why they charge if the fault is with that.

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one.

twhitehousescat

ok have you tried the test socket , have you tried another phone

decbel

twhitehousescat wrote: »

ok have you tried the test socket , have you tried another phone

It wouldn't work at all if any of that is necessary.

It worked for 9 hours today as in the opening post. Now it has gone off again.

twhitehousescat

ok , do as you wish , if you do not want BT in , then do without a phone

the first questions you will be asked by talk talk (engineer) will be the ones above

Heedtheadvice

Decbel, Have you considered that you might have an intermittent fault?


You seem to have ignored advice (maybe curtly given but nevertheless the best approach).


If there is a fault in your home (even not affecting broadband) then it is your responsibility and your supplier is entitled to pass on the charge that they get from Openreach for an unnecessary visit.


If there is a fault (intermittent or not) on the line to your house or in the exchange etc. then you should not be charged for visits or a fix.


I do agree dealing with the suppliers is not always easy and can be frustrating but is your only option if your house is not at fault.


Your best way forward is to do your own testing to determine if the fault lies in your house (including your wiring, filters, phone etc.) or on the line. That is why modern sockets have the useful test sockets.


Do have a read at the good advice https://www.telecomgreen.co.uk/home-phone-repair/ten-ways-to-survive-an-isp-customer-service-department/


Then after you have calmed down a bit do the technical bits in the advice on the page https://www.telecomgreen.co.uk/home-phone-repair/your-master-socket-and-how-to-avoid-a-large-bill/


....and make sure you do any telephone tests with a known GOOD phone. That is not the one in your house that might be the problem!

J_B

Heedtheadvice wrote: »

Decbel,

(excellent post snipped)


Let's just hope that you can lead the horse to water and .... :)

cranford

Already said it may be your phone. if you are using a cordless phone then buy a basic corded phone and try that.
Such as this one for £6.99 from Argos.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5529610

Its possible that you are having a battery problem with you phone.

When I was with TT a few years back it took me a while to get sorted with the possibility of £100 plus call out fee.
The one big advantage of being with a provider who does not charge for fault finding.

Enterprise_1701C

Do you have a "split" socket (one where the bottom part is separate to the top?

If so, first check if there is a dial tone, if there is not then very carefully unscrew the bottom part and gently pull it out, if it has other wires on it you do not want to dislodge them. Under this there is a test socket, plug your phone into that and see if there is a dial tone. If there is then you have a fault within your house, if there is still no line then the fault is with the line.

If it turns out to be an internal fault, then there are independent telecoms engineers, look up a local one, chances are they will be A LOT cheaper than calling out BT, BT's rates are about treble ours.

There is a lot of ways that it could be an internal fault, we have had things like Sky boxes causing problems, faulty phones causing problems with all the sockets etc, or it could simply be a lose wire.

Of course, if you have no wires coming off the bottom part of the socket, and you have no extension sockets, then it cannot be an internal fault.

Also, it is quite possible for them to do a test from their end and see the line as perfectly OK when it is not, it could be an equipment fault within the exchange for example.

As I said, you can get a local independent engineer who will do all the necessary testing, and even fix it if it is an internal fault, they cannot fix it if it is a line fault but they can inform Talk Talk of what the problem is, but they are notoriously difficult to talk to, we recently had a problem with a Talk Talk line to deal with, it took about 3 hours in separate calls to actually get them to do something, they don't like calling out BT because they have to pay them.

Chino

Enterprise_1701C wrote: »

Under this there is a test socket, plug your phone into that and see if there is a dial tone.

Didn't you read post 5 where the OP rejected the suggestion of using the test socket?