topic Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset? in Home Phone

What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

diamo — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 22:15:44 GMT

Hi
I have just joined Plusnet and I'm pleased to report that the phone and broadband has transferred without a hitch. The only problem is that I no longer get a message symbol on my handset when someone leaves a message. Can someone tell my why this symbol does not appear. Do I have to record a personal message to get this to happen.

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

MatthewWheeler — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 15:47:32 GMT

Does your handset have a built-in answer machine?

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

diamo — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 00:33:07 GMT

Thanks for replying Matthew
I have 2 handsets and a combined charger and answer phone unit but I never switch on the answer phone. This was the same set up as with Talk Talk and if someone left a message a little message indicator would appear beside the charge indicator on each handset. This meant you could just glance at the handset to see if a message had been left. I thought this was common in the UK. I would like this feature back as soon as possible. My phone set is Panasonic if that is any help.

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

PeterLoftus — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 07:46:37 GMT

We have a set of Panasonic cordless phones and there is a symbol but it's for call not answered not message left.

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

itsme — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 08:44:27 GMT

Some handsets have a MWI, Message Waiting Indicator, and a quick search suggest that some did see it on Talk Talk even though support did not support this. BT web site say only a interrupted dial tone is used to indicate a new message.
But the manual for BT Decor handset states
[quote=http://www2.bt.com/static/i/media/pdf/decor_1571_userguide.pdf]If you have subscribed to BT’s BT
Answer 1571 or Call Minder, your
BT Decor 1571 will indicate when
you have received a voice message
by the message waiting indicator
light flashing
So it may work if you pay for 1571 Extra

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

itsme — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 08:52:15 GMT

Further reading of the Decor manual suggest that the MWI light use the interrupted dial tone to work out if a message have been left. So you have to use the phone before the indicator will come on.

Quote
The message waiting indicator
is activated by a stuttered dial
tone which you can hear when
you pick up your phone. BT
Calling Features, such as Call
Diversion
and Call Barring use
a stuttered dial
tone so therefore
will cause the message waiting
indicator to flash even if no
messages have been left

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

PeeGee — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 09:45:10 GMT

The BT Decor phones go "off hook" every 30 minutes from the last "use" to check for the interrupted dial tone.
Phil

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

Mustrum — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 10:17:32 GMT

I suspect it's something simpler, do you have caller display on your line? By default PlusNet seem to have it off, as they charge for it.

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

diamo — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 12:57:11 GMT

I suspect this is the answer but I didn't pay for caller display with TT as they offered it free as part of their efforts in helping customers avoid nuisance calls. Perhaps Plusnet could explain if this is the reason I'm not seeing the symbol. Because I have a full digital phone book, most calls display the callers name so it is not really necessary to pay for it as an extra to see who is calling.
[Moderator's note by Mike (Mav): Full quote of preceding post removed, as per Forum Rule]

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

Strat — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 14:56:08 GMT

You will need Caller Display active for your phone to know the number of the caller and match it to a name to display.

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

chandu — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:09:31 GMT

Yes, but ..... I have Caller display on my plusnet line, but my phone does not display if someone has left a voicemail. I can only find out if there is a voicemail, by interrupted dial tone. There is no display to indicate that there is voicemail for me.
[Moderator's note by Mike (Mav): Full quote of preceding post removed, as per Forum Rule]

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

diamo — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 19:20:27 GMT

Because I have most numbers in my phone book, the name and number displays when I receive a call from someone in my book. I have no need for caller display to see who is calling me and do not pay for it. I do need to see if a message is waiting without having to listen to a dial tone or dial 1571 to check if there is a message. It can't be rocket science to work this our.

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

RobPN — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 19:27:11 GMT

Quote from: diamo
Because I have most numbers in my phone book, the name and number displays when I receive a call from someone in my book. I have no need for caller display to see who is calling me and do not pay for it. .... It can't be rocket science ...

So how does that work?

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

pwatson — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 20:22:31 GMT

Posting what make and model of the base station and handsets would help identify how the MWI is supposed to work on your phone?
There is no signalling sent from BT exchanges other than broken dial tone to indicate a message is waiting on the 1571 service. As an aside, as others have said, you'll need caller ID enabled on your line so that your phone then receives the number of the person calling you in order to look this up against the phonebook details that you have stored. Caller ID in the UK does not send name data as well as numbers.

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

Mustrum — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 20:26:16 GMT

Your phone can't display who is calling if you don't subscribe to Caller display, some ISP's give it away but charge more on line rental, PlusNet charge 99p.You can turn it on via the Home Phone Control Panel.

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

jafreer — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 21:26:16 GMT

Quote from: diamo
Because I have most numbers in my phone book, the name and number displays when I receive a call from someone in my book.

That means Caller Display is active on your line whether you realise it or not.

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

diamo — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 21:44:49 GMT

I did not select caller display when I signed up but perhaps I do have it as the name and telephone number shows when I receive a call or if I check the list of calls received. Do all providers show a CLI for calls?

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

diamo — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 22:18:51 GMT

My phone is a Panasonic KX-TGA711F. It was originally a triple set but one stopped working a few years ago. I then bought another phone trio but didn't like it very much and returned to this set. I will check tomorrow to see if I have caller display on my account.

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

pwatson — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 22:24:04 GMT

~~What is the model number of the basestation?~~
As per the reply by itsme, it seems that the Message Indicator Service mentioned in Panasonic DECT manuals isn't officially support by TT but has worked in some cases:
http://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/My-Account-Billing/Voicemail-Indicator-on-Telephone-Handset-Display-Gone-forever/td-p/388056
Nonetheless, the required service is not common in the UK and I can't see any reference to BT supporting this. Is there a reason why you don't use the built in answering machine instead of 1571?

Re: What has happened to the message indicator symbol on my handset?

diamo — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:32:14 GMT

I like all my messages to be in the same place and if I use the answering machine only, callers will not be able to leave a message if I'm on the phone and if I use both, I will have two places to check for messages. Also, it is so easy to get the handset, sit down and listen to your messages. I thought everyone used this service. I really miss it since I moved to Plusnet. I no longer return calls promptly as I still look for the message symbol. Also, we are very used to having it on our mobile phones so why not on our landlines. Perhaps Plusnet customers do not have digital phones, only the dial type.