Handsfree fades constantly

[AvelingH]

Hi,

I am someone who needs the handsfree option on phone calls and ever since I was switched to Sky from VirginMedia the sound from my phone on handsfree has faded to nothing and I can barely hear the other end and they me.

I have tried unplugging one little-used phone in case the wireless modem was overloading the line, but no luck. No luck moving phones either.

Is it worth the hassle of getting anyone out? I didn't have this problem with VirginMedia, btw.

H

[Scubbie]

You may wish to check that your telephone hasn't started to fail first. I use hands-free most of the time on the phone without any problems.

See if you can plug it into a friend's socket to see if the same problem occurs.

Also you may wish to try using a corded telephone in your own socket, without it being hands-free, to see how that behaves.

[AvelingH]

You may wish to check that your telephone hasn't started to fail first. I use hands-free most of the time on the phone without any problems.

See if you can plug it into a friend's socket to see if the same problem occurs.

Also you may wish to try using a corded telephone in your own socket, without it being hands-free, to see how that behaves.

All three of them at the same time? They're different ages and all corded as I can't pick things up off the floor. And now the handsets are showing the same problem!

H

[Scubbie]

Since all your phones are corded, it may be very relevant to know how many devices are connected to your telephone line.

You have 3 corded telephones.

Do you have a fax machine, ansa-phone, Sky STB, emergency caller connected as well?

I don't know the specifications for Virgin, but Sky should be the same as BT. With BT there is a maximum Ring Equivalence Number (REN) value of 4 allowed.

Most modern phones have a value of 1, so you are already at 3.

This may be the cause of your problem if you have exceeded the value. Check the values first. If it is a problem, disconnect things to confirm the cause.

[AvelingH]

I had/have 3 corded phones and Sky's modem Scubbie with a total of 3 REN. I have unplugged each one in turn to no success.

Just because the BT man didnt want to mess around taking long leads from the front of my house to the centre of the sittingroom, opting instead to use the 10-year-old cable put in by Blueyonder, who after 2 takeovers is now Virgin, I have had nothing but problems since 20 May. I had no problems before the switchover.

I have proved conclusively it is not the extension leads because I plugged old and new phones into the 'master' socket with and without anything in the way of the signal and have had the same result. Handsfree speakerphone does not work and I need it to work.

I have bought new phones but the same thing happens as happened with my old phones, though the only one that kind of worked was a cordless one but I can't use cordless ones as I can't catch them if they fall!

What do I do!??

[Scubbie]

Hello AvelingH,

Ok, so there are 3 phones. I assume that you also have the sky STB connected.

I trust that you have checked out any forums discussing the model that you have, just in case there is a known fault.

If the above is all fine, then I would say that you have sufficient cause to call your call provider and complain. I suspect it might be difficult to identify the cause though.

You should be able to use the information from this thread to help.

[AvelingH]

What is the Sky STB?

[Scubbie]

What is the Sky STB?

Your Sky TV Set Top Box. They can be connected to the telephone line to allow you to order Sky Box Office events & to use the on-line features from it too.

[AvelingH]

Sorry, being dim.

I dont have Sky TV and thus no box. Went back to Virgin for that, and that is cable.

[Scubbie]

No problem, your profile indicates that you still have Sky TV. I was just crossing the 't's & dotting the 'i's.