BT Digital Voice is a home phone service that lets you make and receive calls over your broadband connection instead of a traditional copper phone line. You can continue using your existing telephone and usually keep your current phone number.
Digital Voice also includes features such as Call Protect, voicemail and Caller Display. You can add it to BT broadband if you want a home phone, but it is not compulsory.
How does BT Digital Voice work?
BT Digital Voice uses internet technology called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to carry telephone calls.
Setting it up is simple. Just plug your existing compatible phone into the green phone port on the back of your BT Smart Hub. You can then make and receive calls as normal.
If your telephone is in another room, BT offers a Digital Voice Adapter that connects wirelessly to your Smart Hub. You can also use BT’s dedicated Digital Voice cordless handsets.
You don’t need a separate telephone line, but your broadband connection and router must be working to make calls.
BT Digital Voice features
Call Protect
BT Call Protect helps stop nuisance and scam calls. It can identify suspicious callers, display warnings on compatible phones and send known scam calls to junk voicemail. You can also block unwanted numbers yourself.
Voicemail
BT’s voicemail service takes messages when you are unavailable or already on another call. Dial 1571 to listen to your messages. You can also change the number of rings before voicemail answers.
Caller Display and Call Waiting
Caller Display shows the incoming phone number, while Call Waiting alerts you when someone else calls during a conversation. Both features are available at no extra cost.
Keep your existing number
Most customers moving to Digital Voice can keep their current home phone number. You can also continue using a compatible corded or cordless telephone without buying a new handset.
Multi Call
Digital Voice supports Multi Call, allowing different handsets to make or receive separate calls at the same time. This is ideal for families who share one home phone service.
Call management
You can use My BT to manage calling features, including voicemail, Call Waiting and Call Protect. BT also offers Call Diversion if you want incoming calls forwarded to another number.
BT Digital Voice call plans
BT has different calling plans depending on how often you use your home phone.
| Call plan | What you get |
|---|---|
| Pay As You Go £7.16/month | No inclusive calls. Pay for calls to UK landlines and mobiles. |
| 700 Minutes £10.73/month | 700 inclusive minutes to UK landlines and mobiles. Availability for new orders may be limited. |
| Unlimited Minutes £22.47/month | Unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles at any time. |
| International calling add-ons £3.16–£13.52/month | Discounted or inclusive calls to selected overseas destinations, depending on the add-on. |
Pay As You Go is a good option if you rarely use your home phone. Unlimited Minutes is better for people who make frequent calls to friends and family.
The 700 Minutes plan is mainly associated with existing customers and may not be offered with new broadband orders. Call plan charges and availability should be checked when ordering.
BT Digital Voice pros and cons
Pros
- You can usually keep your existing home phone number.
- Works with most existing telephones.
- No separate copper phone line required.
- Free Call Protect helps block scam and nuisance calls.
- Includes Caller Display, Call Waiting and voicemail.
- Different call plans to choose from.
- Supports multiple handsets and simultaneous calls.
Cons
- Requires a working broadband connection and powered router.
- Calls will not work during a power cut without suitable backup equipment.
- Some older telephones, alarm systems and telecare devices may need replacing or adapting.
- Pay As You Go calls can become expensive with frequent use.
- International and premium-rate calls may cost extra.
- A Digital Voice Adapter may be needed for phones located away from the router.
BT Digital Voice FAQs
Do I need to dial the area code for local calls?
Yes. With BT Digital Voice, you must dial the full telephone number, including the area code, even when calling someone in the same town.
Will my existing phone extension sockets work?
No. Traditional telephone extension sockets do not work with Digital Voice. You can use a BT Digital Voice Adapter to connect a telephone in another room.
Can I use a fax machine with BT Digital Voice?
Yes, most fax machines should work when connected directly to your BT Smart Hub. However, BT does not guarantee fax compatibility and recommends sending no more than 10 pages at a time.
How long does it take for my phone number to start working?
After Digital Voice is activated, incoming calls to your transferred number should normally work within 15 minutes. Some transfers may take until the next working day.
Will I lose my saved contacts if I replace my BT Smart Hub?
Your Digital Voice contacts are stored on the Smart Hub. Before replacing it, you can export your contacts through BT Hub Manager and restore them to the new router.