What do I need to replace my telephone intercom system in my flat, it's like a doorbell alert device

pw23

So in my flat, I have to link my phone line to the intercom system at the front door so that when someone buzzes my flat number it then calls the phone line so that I press 1 and It let them in

I believe the flats were built in the 90s

I am soon to be cancelling my phone line and I don't want to use my mobile as i sometimes leave it on Airplane Mode, especially when I'm in bed, so in the event someone wanted to come in, they wouldn't be able to alert me

So I remember in previous flats I lived in that there is a intercom alert unit  that would buzz and let me know someone was outside and I would press the button and it would let them in

What is this unit/device called and can I buy one and just link it to the front entrance telecom system?

Will something like this require an electrician to set up?

Emmia

This may be something that would need to be installed in all the flats. We have this system, with a telephone type handset that allows you to unlock the door and talk to people, but no phone landline...

We've never had a separate landline phone plugged in, and the entry handset isn't call enabled (no number buttons)

Browntoa

Communal flats , no you can't "just play about with the existing system" 

You need to approach your management company or the freeholder 

eddddy

pw23 said:

So in my flat, I have to link my phone line to the intercom system at the front door so that when someone buzzes my flat number it then calls the phone line so that I press 1 and It let them in

...

So I remember in previous flats I lived in that there is a intercom alert unit  that would buzz and let me know someone was outside and I would press the button and it would let them in

You are describing 2 very different and incompatible intercom systems.

In the 'old flat', there was a box at the front door which was directly connected to handsets in the flats.

In the 'new flat', there is a box at the front door which dials telephone numbers to connect with the occupants' own phones. (If the occupant specifies a mobile phone number, the occupant will be phoned wherever they are in the world.)



Based on your requirements, perhaps a solution for you is...

• Buy a super-cheap (non smart) mobile phone.

• Don't tell anyone the number - but set up the front door intercom to call that number

• Keep the mobile phone in the flat, always turned on - it will only ring if somebody is calling you from the front door. (Press 1 to let them in)

• (Or take the mobile phone with you wherever you go. Then, for example, if a delivery driver is at your front door and you're away, you can say "Please leave the package with George at number 7" or whatever.)

• Maybe choose a PAYG tariff for the mobile phone - but check out the minimum usage requirement. You might have to make an occasional call with it to 'keep it alive'.

Grumpy_chap

I was thinking along similar lines to eddddy, but with the consideration of a VOIP service to provide the contact number to a basic smart phone always plugged in and using WIFI (so no sim card required) just for answering the door intercom and press 1 to allow access.

This assumes that, in disposing of the land line, the OP would maintain broadband service to their flat.

Assuming the idea to ditch the land line number is cost-based, does the OP actually save?  Many service providers seem to offer packages that are just as cheap for broadband with phone and without phone.  

If the reason to ditch the land line number is about nuisance calls, could the OP consider a call-blocker that only allows the intercom system to call?

pw23

eddddy said:

pw23 said:

So in my flat, I have to link my phone line to the intercom system at the front door so that when someone buzzes my flat number it then calls the phone line so that I press 1 and It let them in

...

So I remember in previous flats I lived in that there is a intercom alert unit  that would buzz and let me know someone was outside and I would press the button and it would let them in

You are describing 2 very different and incompatible intercom systems.

In the 'old flat', there was a box at the front door which was directly connected to handsets in the flats.

In the 'new flat', there is a box at the front door which dials telephone numbers to connect with the occupants' own phones. (If the occupant specifies a mobile phone number, the occupant will be phoned wherever they are in the world.)



Based on your requirements, perhaps a solution for you is...

• Buy a super-cheap (non smart) mobile phone.

• Don't tell anyone the number - but set up the front door intercom to call that number

• Keep the mobile phone in the flat, always turned on - it will only ring if somebody is calling you from the front door. (Press 1 to let them in)

• (Or take the mobile phone with you wherever you go. Then, for example, if a delivery driver is at your front door and you're away, you can say "Please leave the package with George at number 7" or whatever.)

• Maybe choose a PAYG tariff for the mobile phone - but check out the minimum usage requirement. You might have to make an occasional call with it to 'keep it alive'.

 Yes, you're right because I remember in the old flat they had cheap plastic headsets by the front door of the flat which had a little screen to view the person who buzzed you and you could talk into the headset

But there was never an active phone line when you picked up that telephone

So as I doubt, I'll be able to change this as The property  Management company are very strict on any changes to the building 

Thanks for the alternative suggestions but thinking about it I think I'd be better off just making sure my phone is not in Airplane Mode and just using that, as I don't like the idea of having to always make sure a separate phone is charged and with me when I go out, whereas my iPhone will always be with me
I just don't like the idea of having a mobile phone receiving coverage from the tower all day long by my side,, (radiation paranoia)

this is my intercom system looks like at the Main Front Door door

unforeseen

You wouldn't need to carry the other phone. It stays in the flat