Using DECT phones with BT SmartHub2

[#1]

I'm using a BT Smart Hub 2 with my PlusNet broadband and recently purchased 2 Essential BT DECT handsets. These are specifically sold to operate through the Hub - no connection to the copper wire. Now, remember this is the exact model of Hub Plusnet are now using.

Both phones registered to the Hub without a problem, but I cannot make or receive calls. Message on the handset "No internet connection is available you can't make or receive calls"

So, first I go to BT.com site, where it says "If you're setting up your Digital Voice service yourself, we'll send you a text message and email to confirm your Digital Voice service is ready to go."  which indicates Plusnet need to activate something down the line to the router. Next step is to speak to Plusnet, asking them to enable my router. The advisor could not have tried to be more helpful, but DECT phones was a whole new world to her. So after a long, long call and consulting with colleagues, I was told Plusnet do not support DECT phones. But as their new router has a specific feature to support DECT, I'm not sure I've just been wrongly advised.

Has anyone managed to set up a DECT phone through their router, or do I have to put my new phones in the drawer and wait for Plusnet to catch up with the digital age?

[#2]

PlusNet are not currently supporting Digital voice, so I'm afraid your phones will need to stay in the drawer for the time being.

[#3]

Thank you. Yes, I've done a bit more Googling since putting up my post and can see that it's all about BT's Digital Voice service, which Plusnet have not yet adopted. I think I'm stuffed until Plusnet catch up (or I move to BT), for my further reading is that the phones I bought are strictly usable over the Hub, and won't work through a base station plugged into the socket?

[#4]

@drewstew 

I have not researched these phones and their interface but would guess that they can be used with a VoIP provider such as SIPgate.

[#5]

@Baldrick1  in theory, yes. However AFAIK the Smart Hub 2 voip configuration is totally locked to BT Digital voice. Whether the handsets would be compatible with other unlocked DECT bases e.g the Gigaset N300 IP, I'm not sure?

[#6]

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@MisterW wrote:

 Whether the handsets would be compatible with other unlocked DECT bases e.g the Gigaset N300 IP, I'm not sure?

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I suspect they'd probably be compatible as far as registering with the base and making calls goes, but unlikely to be able to use other features of the Gigaset system such as transferring calls between handsets, routing calls via dialling plans, etc..

[#7 · Accepted solution]

The Digital Voice provision is at the hub layer, and needs to be activated remotely. It is a BT service that will only work on the BT line the service has been provisioned against.

In short, unless you're paying BT for your broadband/voice service, then you will not be able to use the Dect phones you have purchased.

There is no ability I'm aware of to repurpose these devices, or the hub itself, to connect to a third party SIP provider.

[#8]

Thank you everyone. I've been thoroughly educated todayin digital voice. Wish I'd known all this a couple odf days ago!

[#9]

Moderator's note by Mike (Mav): The fix has been changed to @bobpullen as per message #7.