Using existing handsets

You don't need a special handset to use B4RN Voice. Most corded and cordless handsets will work with B4RN Voice and will simply connect into the phone port on your B4RN router. In the case of a DECT Cordless system, it will be the base unit that is connected to the phone port in the B4RN router.

If you have internal extension wiring to serve corded handsets around the house, you'll have to consider either replacing those with cordless handsets or reconfiguring that wiring away from the BT Master Socket to the B4RN router phone port.

If you have one of the latest BT Digital Voice Essential or Advanced handsets then these are unlikely to work with B4RN Voice as they are tied to the BT router.

In order to access your B4RN Voice Voicemail (and use keypad inputs for entering codes or navigating switchboards) from your handset, the handset must send DTMF touch tones from its keypad using RFC2833. Some older handsets may not be able to do this so you may need a new handset if you wish to access voicemail this way. However, you can easily access your voicemails using the B4RN Voice smartphone app. If you have an existing phone with a built in answerphone, you can continue to use that by ensuring the B4RN Voice Voicemail service is disabled.

You can use VoIP specific handsets with the B4RN Voice service although we cannot guarantee that all models of handset are compatible. If you feel confident configuring the VoIP phone, we can supply SIP credentials for it.

Remember, in the event of a power cut, your B4RN router and handset may not function unless you have a backup power system such as a battery or generator. From 2025 this will be the case whatever phone provider you chose.

In the event of a power cut, assuming you can provide power to the router and aren't able to use a mobile phone, we would recommend having a simple corded handset that doesn't require external power.