In reply to a post by j0hn83:

No.
If you're on Digital Voice (VOIP over the fibre) you need to use the BT Smart Hub to use the landline.

That's a bit annoying.

So presumably if I want to keep it separate then I should have moved the phone number to a VOIP service and then asked BT for a new number and either ask BT for a new number and not use it or don't take the phone service.

Are there any recommended VOIP services, as mentioned previously it would only really be used for incoming calls?

Alternatively can the BT router be connected in a non router capacity to a network with an existing router on it and still have the phone line working? This would be a bit messy but I'm just thinking aloud.

In reply to a post by jpm:

You also get a couple of cordless handsets supplied with the Digital Voice service.

Only if you choose to order and pay for them.
By default it comes with no handset.

In reply to a post by jpm:

You can plug a normal phone into the Hub. You also get a couple of cordless handsets supplied with the Digital Voice service. And there will likely be a way of connecting normal wired phones in remotely from the Hub in the near future that doesn't involve having to use the existing wiring in your house.

Here's hoping they add a little VOIP adapter boxes like I've used on other services previously where it's a small, separate box that you plug the phone into that plugs into ethernet.

I thought that maybe a problem, I'll have to give it some thought.

What is reason for not using Smart Hub 2?

If its wi-fi then just switch your own router into wireless access point mode (a good number have this option).

In reply to a post by j0hn83:

In reply to a post by jpm:

You also get a couple of cordless handsets supplied with the Digital Voice service.

Only if you choose to order and pay for them.
By default it comes with no handset.

Interesting - I could have sworn I read somewhere that you could either have two basic handsets or a single advanced one when you signed up. I can't find that information anywhere now though.

I've not used a Smart Hub 2 before so I don't know of it's features and hopefully they've improved but going by past experience of Home Hubs they're a reasonable product but limit you with things like control of custom DNS settings, QOS, DynDNS, limited firewall rules etc.

In reply to a post by StuB:

Are there any recommended VOIP services, as mentioned previously it would only really be used for incoming calls?

Sipgate. I've used them for years. Biggest best reason is its free to have a 'line', no subscription.

You can 'port' your number to them and I did this. First time was a pain (I had two lines, didn't need the fax line but wanted to keep the number). By the time I moved my second number they had made the system easier. I was moving and couldn't take my number so ported to Sipgate. Now I still receive calls on that number via my broadband using a FritzBox router with built in VoIP. I never make outgoing calls on that line so all it cost was a few quid in porting fees. Sipgate don't seem to care I don't pay them!

If you've also got a copper feed, then BT (Residential) may decide to put the voice on copper instead of Digital Voice, ie its not 100% certain that your will get VOIP. Its BT Business who make it compulsory that you take out Digital Voice with FTTP, irrespective of whether you have a copper line or not. With BTB, they simply give you a pre-configured Yealink VOIP handset which you can plug into any router. Personally I don't use the BTB supplied VOIP handset, any landline calls are sent to my smartphone through the BT Cloud Voice Express app and I can also pick up voicemails through the app.

If you do end up getting voice over copper, then its a bit of an non-issue as you can just leave any old phone plugged into the phone socket for incoming calls, no need for a separate VOIP provider.

In reply to a post by jpm:

Interesting - I could have sworn I read somewhere that you could either have two basic handsets or a single advanced one when you signed up. I can't find that information anywhere now though.

You're quite right.

https://www.bt.com/broadband/digital-voice-learnpage/

To experience HD quality calls and great new features, just plug in your new home phone (that we’ll send you for free) and you're ready to go.