Orbi Mesh System with BT Phone

Question

I recently purchased the Orbi Wifi 6e system and I seem to have it all working perfectly my only issue I have ran into is because I switch the BT smart hub 2 with my Orbi router I no longer can get my phone landline working. At the moment I have the orbi router connecting into my Openreach modem. I have done research online and it seems there is no way to get my phone line back working unless I have the BT hub setup. This is confusing me because in order to do so I'd need two ethernet cables going from my modem to each routers WAN Port? I could be wrong in saying this and it is important to mention my modem only has one ethernet port. When I look at my modem there is a phone line connection but when I connect my phone directly into it nothing seems to work.

Any solutions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

#orbi #bt

FURRYe38 · Answer

What Firmware version is currently loaded?What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too? Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6 is recommended.&nbsp;
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I would check with the phone or ISP service to see what is required for the phone to work and see if there equipment is needed or not.&nbsp;
One thing to try is to put the phones IP address in to the RBRs DMZ if it's a VoIP phone, and see if this changes the behavior with the ISP Router not in the mix. IF this is a old copper phone service phone that has the classic phone service, then you may need to use the ISP hardware.&nbsp;
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DylanH__ · Answer

I've updated to the latest Firmware recently. Modem is the Huawei 1-port modem. I used the cable that was supplied with the orbi so I assume it is CAT6 or above?

Online from what I can find a lot of people say you must use the BT home hub but I still feel like there has to be some kind of way to get around this. It's just finding how to connect my Orbi and Home hub together or even create a pass through so the home hub can be used to service my Phone and my orbi for internet. I plan to contact BT tomorrow about it, but I have a feeling there going to deflect any help because I'm asking for their help to setup a third-party device which replaces their own. Can't see them being very cooperative but I could be wrong.

FURRYe38 · Answer

Ya it's possible that this particular phone needs there hardware.&nbsp;
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CrimpOn · Answer

Did you transition from the previous BT analog phone service to their new digital voice service as this person did?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na-Ie90EeY4&nbsp;
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Other Internet Service Providers, such as my Spectrum service deploy modems with analog phone jacks.&nbsp; Since my phone connection is to the modem, it is entirely independent of whatever router is attached to the modem.&nbsp; Even though your Huawei modem includes a phone jack, it appears that BT has elected to incorporate phone service into their router rather than the modem.
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It's a bit confusing, since the actual phone instrument talks to the router using DECT, but appears to sync to the router using the typical WiFi WPS sync button.
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You absolutely cannot connect two routers to the single Huawei Ethernet port.
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There appear to be few strategies to (a) keep the BT phone service and (b) use the Orbi WiFi.&nbsp; For example:
The BT Hub 2 can be set to disable its own WiFi signal.
The Orbi 960 can be placed into Access Point (AP) mode.
Now there is only one "router" (no Double NAT problems. port forwarding can be set up. etc.)But, many of those enticing Netgear features will not work when the Orbi is in AP mode (Armor, Parental Controls, separation of primary/guest WiFi networks, etc.)
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If you want to keep Orbi router features and avoid Double NAT issues, then abandoning BT phone service in favor of some VoIIP phone solution would appear to be the only option.
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You might get some helpful information by querying people who have BT service.

DylanH__ · Answer

I will have to look into the finer details tomorrow once I contact BT. For the time being would something like this solve it?
VOIP Gateway Dual Ports SIP V2 Protocol Fax Internet Phone Adapter with RJ 45 Cable: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

If I keep my Orbi connected to my modem as I have it right now, then run an ethernet cable into that gateway which I would then also connect my BT phone line into it would that also work? Just researching as I go at the moment.

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Orbi Mesh System with BT Phone

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