BT Digital Voice for customers with no Internet

bettyboo71

I have had numerous emails, texts, and letters/cards from BT in the last few days, about this new system we have to change to.  I understand what is going on but wanted to phone them because they say that we can get a free adaptor, but when I tried to order one it wanted to charge  me postage - for something that I will need to use their service.  According to the lady I spoke to, once we get the new router (which is on it's way), I just need to call back and they will send the adaptor at no charge.
While I was on, I asked what the situation is for my partner's mother, because she doesn't have internet. First they need to check what sort of phone line she has, and they would have to upgrade the service to the building if needed, then they would have to get an engineer to go in and change the socket or something so that it works with the new service. (Sorry I am a bit vague, it got technical and I didn't need to remember all of this, just the practicalities). We live 200+ miles from his mother, and we're not even sure if he is able to speak to BT on her behalf. She is elderly with some disabilities, and refuses to have anything to do with new technology. I've suggested to him that he calls BT, establishes if he can arrange this on her behalf - or what he needs her to do so he can speak on her behalf - and that we try to get things moving.  He will then have to arrange time to go over when they install it, so he can ensure that it is set up and she understands what she should and shouldn't do. 
This is partly a rant that the system isn't being communicated well, and partly a heads-up to anyone who might have a relative in a similar situation. 

DE_612183

I think what she will have is a socket that will allow internet - but you also need a hub.

What they can do is plug an existing phone into the internet cabinet ( different from the router ) and provide a service that way.

I think the issue sometimes is part of this is Open reach and part is BT - and they are different companies now ( didn't used to me ).

bettyboo71

DE_612183 said:

I think what she will have is a socket that will allow internet - but you also need a hub.

What they can do is plug an existing phone into the internet cabinet ( different from the router ) and provide a service that way.

Yes, it seems that they do know what they have to do, but haven't really communicated it well to us. Nowhere in any of the communication we have received does it mention people who don't have internet. 
And it will depend on whether she has the right kind of line going into her flat, and she doesn't know what any of that means. I don't know if she will need a hub, I think they can just change the socket - that was my interpretation of what the lady said today. I hope it isn't a hub, because the lights will just drive her mad and she'll keep turning it off as she does with the tv!

DE_612183

She won't need a hub - that's for internet.

The bigger worry is where they will put the connection from the cabinet to the phone - in my case it would be under the stairs ( but I've got internet so it's no issue to me! ).

iniltous

Anyone on BT DV doesn’t ‘need’ an adapter to use it , a regular or cordless phone plugged directly into the router phone port works just fine …..a DV adapter is for those that claim that the router isn’t in a convenient place to have a landline phone , all the adapter provides is a way to locate the phone somewhere other than the router location….its not essential, every other provider moving their customers  to their version of DV  ( Sky , Vodafone for example ) don’t supply anything at all , they just say plug your phone into the router , and if the router is not in a suitable place , that’s your problem .

BT phone customers that also have  BT broadband are those currently in scope for moving to BTDV , BT phone  only customers are not currently being moved , and given the  timescale, which is  the end of January 2027  , it’s 16 months or thereabouts before they are likely to be targeted , so BT phone only customers have no need to worry prematurely, for quite a while yet .

bettyboo71

I understand the purpose of the adapter, and we will need one.

Thanks for the additional information about timescales for those without internet. We just wanted to understand what is likely to happen because this sort of thing can be very stressful for his mum, and I thought it might be good to give others a heads-up. 

iniltous

There are currently two ways BT phone only customers can be moved to DV , one way ( probably the one they will use ) won’t need the customer to do anything , the work done remotely, but as stated it’s still quite a way off .

Bradden

jameswarner12 said:

i think you should message arcane_techs on instagram

Why? I think the OP has been given the info they wanted.

JSmithy45AD

Bradden said:

jameswarner12 said:

i think you should message arcane_techs on instagram

Why? I think the OP has been given the info they wanted.

It's spam (and possibly dangerous spam at that), it's been reported.