Essential Phone with easy call blocking and answer machine Quick Set-up and User Guide Digital Cordless Phone with Answer Machine You’ll need a Caller Display service from your network provider to use Call Blocking and other Caller Display enabled features, including accessing your Calls list. Charges may apply.
Important – please read first • Only use the line cord, power supply and rechargeable batteries that come with your phone. • Make sure the power supply is connected to a socket that you know works. • Connect your phone to the power supply and let the batteries charge for 16 hours before connecting your phone to the phone socket. • The base should always be plugged in to the mains power supply.
Check the box contents Handset Base Phone line (this comes already installed) Mains power adaptor (item code 090713) Two rechargeable batteries, AAA NiMH 550mAh (already installed in the handset) If you bought more than one handset you’ll also get: • Extra handset • Charger • Mains power adaptor (item code 090713) • Two rechargeable batteries, AAA NiMH 550mAh (already installed in the handset) Important Only use the mains power adaptors, cables and rechargeable batteries supplied in this box or this
Quick set-up guide 1. Plug in 1. Plug the mains power adaptor into the base, with the cable clipped in the groove provided. 2. Plug the other end of the power adaptor into the wall power socket and switch on. The phone line cord is pre-installed but don’t plug the other end into the wall socket yet. Important • Don’t connect the phone line to a phone socket until the handset is fully charged. • The base station should be plugged into the mains power socket all the time.
Quick set-up guide 2. Charge 1. Activate the batteries by pulling the plastic tab away from the handset. Talk/Standby time Under ideal conditions, the handset batteries should give up to 12 hours talk time or 120 hours standby on a single charge. (This doesn’t mean you can unplug the base or leave the handset for this length of time without charge). Please note that new Ni-MH rechargeable batteries don’t reach full capacity until they’ve been in normal use for several days.
Quick set-up guide Set up for additional handsets (multipacks only) 1. Plug the mains power adaptor into the underside of the charger and plug the other end into the mains wall socket and switch on the power. 2. Activate the batteries as explained on page 5. 3. Place the handset on the charger to charge for 16 hours. Essential Phone Twin 090658 090713 Tip If you need to take the batteries out, slide the battery cover down, then gently take the batteries out.
Quick set-up guide 3. Go! Your Essential Phone is now ready for you to use • For help setting the date and time, go to page 49. • For instructions on making a call, go to page 17. • For help personalising your phone’s settings, go to page 44. • For instructions on using the answer machine, go to page 35.
Contents 4 Quick set up guide 12 Getting to know your phone – Handset buttons 14 Handset display 15 Finding your way around your phone 16 Base buttons 17 Using the phone – Switching the handset on and off – Making an external call – Preparatory dialling – Ending a call – Receiving a call 18 Mute – Incoming speech/ Handsfree volume – Handsfree 19 Answer a call using handsfree – Switching to handsfree during a call – Redial – Redialling the last number – Viewing and dialling a number in the redial list 20 Sa
Contents – Deleting a phonebook entry 30 Deleting the entire phonebook – Storing a speed dial number 31 Dialling a speed dial entry 33 Caller display and the Calls List – Caller display – The Calls List 33 Viewing or dialling an entry in the Calls List – Saving a Calls List entry to your phonebook 34 Blocking a number from the Calls List – Deleting an entry in the Calls List – Deleting all of the Calls List 35 Answer machine – Using the answer machine from the handset – Switching the answer machine on or o
Contents 49 Clock/Alarm – Setting the date and time – Setting an alarm – Switching the alarm off 50 Using additional handsets – Registering an additional handset – De-registering a handset 51 Making an internal call between handsets – Transferring a call 52 Holding a three-way call 53 Menu map 56 Help 59 General information 10
If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.
Getting to know your phone Handset buttons Menu/Left option Press to enter the main menu, access sub-menus and confirm options shown on the display above the button. Up navigation button/Calls Press to enter the Call Log and press up or down to enter the Call List or Answ Machine menu. Move through menu options. Increase volume. Redial Open redial list. Talk In standby mode make and receive calls. In talk mode switch handsfree on or off. Down navigation button/Phonebook Access saved contacts.
Getting to know your phone Call Block In idle mode, press to enter the Call Block menu. When receiving a call, press to send the call to the answer machine, or during a call, press to end the call. If you have subscribed to a Caller Display Service and the Caller ID is displayed, the number will be blocked and added to the blocked numbers list Mute/Right option Delete or go back to the previous screen. Press during a call to mute your caller. R (Recall) Press and hold to enter a pause (P) when dialling.
Getting to know your phone Handset display Shows you how much charge is left on the handset. Will appear if you’re on, or starting, a call. Flashes when a missed call has been received. Lets you know the Phonebook is open. Shows when you’ve set an alarm clock. Shows when handsfree is switched on. Lets you know the handset ringer is off. Lets you know the answer machine is on. Flashes if you have new answer machine messages.
Getting to know your phone Finding your way around your phone Your new phone’s menu is easy to navigate. Each menu has a list of options, which you can see on page 53. When the handset is switched on and at the home screen 1. Choose menu by pressing . 2. Use the or buttons to scroll through the available menu options. 3. When the menu you want is on the screen, press the . 4. Use or to scroll through the available menu options. To go back, press . To return to the home screen menu, press .
Getting to know your phone Base buttons - Volume + Decrease or increase the speaker volume during playback and the call screening volume during idle mode. Find Press to ring all registered handsets. This is helpful for finding missing handsets. There’s more about this on page 21. Delete Press once to delete a message when you’re playing it. When your phone is in idle mode, long press to delete all old messages. Base light Lights up constantly when the phone is on the base.
Using the phone Switching the handset on and off Press and hold until the handset turns on or off. Making an external call 1. Press . 2. When you hear the dial tone, type the number. When the call begins, the light on the phone’s base will flash. Preparatory dialling 1. This lets you type in the number first, to avoid mistakes before the call is connected. If you make a mistake, press to delete the last digit. 2. Press to dial. End a call Press .
Using the phone Mute When you’re on a call, you can mute the microphone, so the person at the other end can’t hear you. 1. During the call, press to mute your microphone. Your display screen will show Mute On, so you’ll know your caller can’t hear you. 2. Press again to unmute. The display will go back to showing Calling, and the call length. Incoming speech/ Handsfree volume To turn the volume up or down during a call, use and . Press to hear the volume change.
Using the phone Answer a call using handsfree When your phone rings, press after you’ve answered it. Your call will be transferred to the handset loudspeaker. Switching to handsfree during a call During a call, press to put it on loudspeaker. To switch handsfree off and go back to the earpiece, press again. Redial You can redial any of the last ten numbers you’ve called on your Essential Phone. Redialling the last number . Your last 1. Press dialled number will show on the display screen. 2.
Using the phone Saving a redial number to the phonebook , then use and to 1. Press get to the number you want to save. 2. Press . You’ll be asked if you want to save the number, press . 3. Use the keypad to type in the name and press . 4. If you need to, edit the number and press to save. Deleting a number from the redial list 1. Press , then use and to scroll through to the number you want to delete. 2. Press and then to get to Delete. Press . 3. You’ll be asked to confirm. Press again.
Using the phone Turning the handset ringer on or off 1. Open the main menu by pressing , then scroll through to Personal Set using and press . 2. You’ll see Handset Tone on the display screen, press . 3. Ring Volume is displayed, press . 4. Use and again to scroll through to Ringer off and press . Finding your handset (paging) If you can’t find a handset, you can ring it using the base. If you get a call while using paging, the call will take priority.
Block nuisance calls You need Caller Display This will help you get the most out of your BT Call Blocking. You can get this from your phone service provider. Charges may apply. The Essential Phone blocks numbers in two separate ways to help you avoid nuisance calls, firstly by type, e.g withheld or international, and also by your choice of specific numbers (you can store up to 100 numbers of your own choice). Block calls by type or number Press and enter your access PIN.
Block nuisance calls ii) To block calls by a specific number; Press enter access PIN, press then scroll to Blacklist, press , then scroll and select Block number press then scroll until Add new is shown, enter number and press . Numbers entered are saved in the Block List. You can also add numbers from the calls list to the block list. Switch BT Call Blocking on/off Block all calls 1. In idle mode, press . 2. Enter your access PIN and press . 3. Press until Blacklist is shown, then press .
Block nuisance calls 3. Press until Blacklist is shown, then press . Block mode is displayed. Press . 4. Press or to your chosen option. 5. Press . 6. Then scroll using or to Start & end, press then using the keypad enter the start time press , then enter the end time and press . Delete numbers from the Block List or to Unblock a number 1. In idle mode, press . 2. Enter your access PIN and press . 3. Press until Blacklist is shown and press . Press until Block number is shown, then press . 4.
Block nuisance calls Change the access PIN 1. Press , scroll to Call Block and press . 2. Enter the existing 4 digit access PIN. Press to highlight Change PIN and press . 3. Press then enter the existing 4 digit access PIN and press . 4. Enter the new 4 digit access PIN and press , then enter it again when prompted and press . Saved! will be displayed. If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.
Phonebook You can save up to 100 numbers to your phonebook. Names can be up to 12 characters and numbers can be 24 digits. Use the keypad buttons to type names, using the letters above each number. For example, if you wanted to write Tom, you would press three times for once for the ‘T’, once to enter ‘m’. the ‘o’ and Store a phonebook entry 1. When your handset is on the home screen, press to open the menu. 2. You’ll see Phonebook. Press . Use and to find New Entry. Then press . 3.
Phonebook Character map 0 Space . 0 , / : ; “ ‘ ! ¡ ? ¿ * + - %\ ^ ~ | 1 1 @ _ # = < > ( ) & € £ $ ¥ [ ] { } ¤ § … 2 a b c 2 3 d e f 3 4 g h i 4 5 j k l 5 6 m n o 6 7 p q r s 7 8 t u v 8 9 w x y z 9 * * # Press and hold to change text entry mode sentence case, upper or lower. Viewing/dialling a phonebook entry 1. When the handset is on the home screen, press The first entry will show. 2. Press and to scroll through the entries. 3. When the phonebook entry you want shows on the screen, press to dial it.
Phonebook Searching alphabetically for a phonebook entry 1. When the handset is on the home screen, press . 2. Use the keypad buttons to search for the name. For example, to find a phonebook entry beginning with ‘S’, press once and then use the and to scroll through the entries until you find the one you need. Editing a phonebook entry 1. When your handset is on the home screen, press . 2. Use and to scroll through to the phonebook entry you want to edit and select OK by pressing . 3.
Phonebook Adding a pause to a saved number If your new phone is connected to a switchboard, you might need to add a pause to a stored number. A pause will normally be after the switchboard access code (for example 9). When storing a number, press and hold and then continue typing it. Viewing a phonebook entry during a call 1. Press . You’ll see the first entry in the phonebook. 2. Type the first letter of your phonebook entry name using the keypad.
Phonebook Deleting the entire phonebook When you Delete All of your phonebook entries, they’ll be removed from each of the handsets. 1. Press to open the menu. Press it again when you see Phonebook. 2. Use and to get to Delete All and press . 3. Press to confirm. Storing a speed dial number You can assign numbers from your phonebook to the 1–9 buttons on your keypad, so you can call them quickly by just holding the number down. They’re also called Direct Memory numbers. 1.
Phonebook Dialling a speed dial entry 1. On the keypad, press and hold the speed dial number you’ve assigned your phonebook entry to. Their phone number will be dialled automatically. If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.
Caller display and the Calls List Caller display You’ll need to subscribe to a caller display service to get the most out of this feature. When you do, you’ll be able to see your caller’s number on your handset display, as long as it’s not withheld. You’ll need to subscribe to your network provider’s Caller Display service for this feature to work. You might have to pay a fee. For more information on BT Calling Features, call BT free on 0800 800 150.
Caller display and the Calls List Viewing or dialling an entry in the Calls List 1. Press to get to the Calls List. When you see Calls List, press . 2. You’ll see the most recent entry. If you haven’t got any numbers stored to the Calls List, List empty will show. 3. Press and to scroll through the list. 4. If you want to call a number from the list, when it shows on the screen, press .
Caller display and the Calls List Blocking a number from the Calls List 1. Press to get to your Calls List. 2. Press to enter Calls List. 3. Use the and to scroll through to the number you want to block and press . 4. Press until Call Block is displayed, press . 5. The number you’re blocking will be displayed, press to save the number in your Block list. Saved! will be displayed. Deleting an entry in the Calls List 1. Press to get to your Calls List. 2. Press to enter Calls List. 3.
Answer machine Your new Essential Phone comes with an answer machine that can record up to 59 messages within the 30 minutes recording time when it’s switched on. Each message can be up to three minutes long. Using the answer machine from the handset Switching the answer machine on or off 1. Press to get to the menu, then use the and to find Answ Machine. Press . 2. Press until you see Answ On/ Off and press . 3. Use and to choose between On or Off, then press to confirm. You’ll hear the confirmation tone.
Answer machine Recording your own outgoing message You can record either a Answer + Rec message or an Answer only message. If you chose Answer + Rec, your caller will be able to leave a message. If you choose Answer only, they won’t. 1. To record your own outgoing message, press to get to the menu. 2. Press until you get to Answ Machine. Press . 3. Press and to find Answer Mode and press . 4. Then choose Answer + Rec or Answer only and press . 5. Scroll through to Personalized and press .
Answer machine 4. Then choose between Answer + Rec or Answer only and press left option button. 5. Then select Personalized or Predefined by pressing . 6. When you see Play on the display screen, press . Your current message will be played back to you. Recording a memo When you record a memo, it’s saved on your answer machine and can be played back by other users like a normal answer machine message. 1. Press to bring up the handset menu. 2. Press and to get to Answ Machine and press . 3.
Answer machine 1. Press to display the handset menu. Use and to get to Answ Machine. Press . 2. Press until you get to Answer Mode and press . 3. Press and to choose the answer type you want and press . 4. You’ll then be asked to choose between your own outgoing message or the one that came with the phone. When you’ve decided, press . Setting the Ring delay Ring delay is the number of times the phone will ring before the answer machine picks the call up for you.
Answer machine 3. When you see Ring delay, press . 4. Press and to get to the number of rings you want and press . Call screening You have two Call screening options on the Essential Phone: Handset screening (Hs) and Base screening (Bs). When Base screening is switched on, you’ll hear the caller leaving a message through the base. When Handset screening is on, you’ll hear them through the handset, if you press when a message is being left. 1. To turn it on or off, press to display the menu.
Answer machine 1. To play it, press on your handset. Press to get to Answ Machine, then press . 2. Play will show on the screen. Press and your messages will be played in the order they were left, starting with the oldest. If you’ve got Caller Display, the date and time they left the message will be shown on the screen. Message playback When you’re playing messages, you have the following options: and adjust the volume. switches the playback from handsfree to earpiece.
Answer machine Deleting all old played messages 1. Press , and then use the and to scroll through to Answ Machine. Press . 2. Press until you get to Delete All. Press . 3. You’ll be asked to confirm. Press . Using the answer machine from the base Switching the answer machine on or off at the base To turn the answer machine on and . off using the base, just press When the answer machine is On, On .
Answer machine Deleting all played messages 1. When the base isn’t in use, press and hold to delete all your old messages. You will hear a confirmation tone. Remote access With Remote access, you can listen to your answer machine messages from another phone. You’ll need to set a PIN. The feature will need to be switched On for it to work. Setting or changing the remote access PIN 1. Press to open the menu. Press until you get to Answ Machine. Press . 2. Press until you see Answ Setting, then press again.
Answer machine Turning remote access on or off 1. Press , then scroll to Answ Machine and press . 2. Press and until you get to Answ Setting, then press . 3. Press and again to find Remote Acc. and press . 4. Press and to choose between Activate and Deactivate, then press to confirm. You cannot turn Remote access On until you have set a remote access PIN. The default setting is Off. Operating your answer machine remotely 1. Dial your number from another phone. 2.
Settings Setting the handset ringtone You can choose from ten ringtones. 1. To change it, press and then press to find Personal Set and press . 2. Handset Tone will show on your display screen. Press . 3. Press and to scroll through to Ring Melody. Press . 4. Select the tone you want and then press to save it. Choose from 10 handset ringtones. The default external ringtone is Melody 1. Setting the handset ringer volume 1. Open the menu by pressing .
Settings Turning the key tone on or off Each time you press a button on your keypad, a tone will sound. You can turn these on or off. The default setting is On. 1. To change it, press and press until you get to Personal Set. Press . 2. Handset Tone is displayed, press . 3. Then press to get to Key Tone. Press . 4. Then use and to scroll between On and Off and press . Changing the handset name You can personalise your handset name, using up to ten characters.
Settings Turning the backlight on or off 1. Press and then use and to scroll through to Personal Set. Press . 2. Press until you see Backlight and press . 3. Press and to scroll between On and Off, then press to save. Changing the call settings You can set your Essential Phone to Auto Pick-Up and Auto Hang-Up. With Auto Pick-Up, you can answer a call by taking the handset off of the base when it’s ringing, without having to press any buttons.
Base settings Setting the base ringtone 1. Press and then scroll through to Personal Set. using the and buttons. Press . 2. Press until you get to Base Tone and press . 3. Base Melody will show on the screen. Press . 4. The base will play your current ringtone. Press and to choose between five different ringtones, then press . Setting the base ringer volume 1. Press and then press to scroll through to Personal Set. Press . 2. Press until you get to Base Tone, then press . 3.
Base settings 1. To change it, press and then press or to scroll through to Advanced Set. Press . 2. Press until you see PIN on the display screen. Press . 3. If you haven’t set one before, you’ll be prompted to set a four-digit PIN. When you’ve done it, press . Or if you’re changing a PIN you’ve already set, you’ll be asked to type in the current PIN. Then follow the instructions on the screen to set a new one and press . 4. Enter your new PIN again and press . Saved! will show on the screen.
Clock/Alarm Setting the date and time 1. Press , then scroll to Clock/Alarm. Press . 2. Date & Time is displayed press . 3. Use the keypad to type in the date and press . Enter the time in 12 hour format, then choose AM or PM by pressing or to select A for AM or P for PM. Press to save. The clock on you Essential Phone is 12 hour format. If you have subscribed to a Caller Display service the time and month may be set when you receive your first call but you will still need to set the year.
Using additional handsets Registering an additional handset If you bought your Essential Phone as a multipack, all the handsets that came with it will be registered at the base. If you buy new handsets separately, you’ll need to register them before you can use them. You can register up to four handsets and have to complete the registration process in two minutes. At the base: 1. Press and hold until you hear a beep. You now have 2 minutes to register a handset. At the handset: 1.
Using additional handsets 3. Type your 4 digit PIN, then press . 4. Press or to select the handset you want to delete, then press . You’ll hear a confirmation tone. Making an internal call between handsets If you’ve got more than one handset registered to your base, you can make internal calls between them. , the handset 1. Press and hold will display all the registered handsets, use and to scroll through and press to select the handset you want to call.
Using additional handsets Holding a three-way call You can hold three-way calls with either two external callers or, if you’ve got more than one handset, two internal handsets and one external caller. . 1. During a call, press and hold This will put your caller on hold. 2. Press and to find the handset you want to add to the call. 3. When the other handset answers, you can announce the call and press to connect the calls. 4. If the other handset doesn’t to talk answer, press and hold to your caller again.
Menu map Phonebook Call Block List Entry View VIP New Entry Delete All Direct Memory Edit Delete By CallType Intern’l Key 1 Key 2 Key 3 Key 4 Key 5 Key 6 Key 7 Key 8 Key 9 Withheld Unavailable Payphone Blacklist Block mode Block number Off On Off On Off On Off On Off Block all Allow VIP Block List View Add new Change PIN If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.
Menu map Clock/Alarm Date & Time Set Alarm Alarm Tone Auto clock Personal Set Handset Tone Off On Once On Daily Melody 1 Melody 2 Melody 3 On Off Ring Volume Ring Melody Key Tone Docking tone Base Tone Base Melody Base Volume Handset Name Auto Pick-Up Auto Hang-Up Backlight 54 Off On On Off On Off High Boost Progressive Ringer off Low Medium Melody 1-10 On Off On Off Melody 1-5 Low Medium High Melody off
Menu map Advanced Set Calls List Conference All calls Missed calls Auto Off Register Unregister PIN Reset Answ Machine Play Delete All Record Memo Answer Mode Recording Play Answer + Rec Answer only Answ On/Off Answ Setting On Off Ring delay Remote Acc.
Help Cannot make calls or receive calls or phone doesn’t ring This may be due to several factors. Please try the following tests in order. • First, ensure that you’re using the line cord that was supplied with the phone. Your existing line cord may not be suitable. • Check that both ends of the supplied line cord are connected securely. • Check that the power is on and that you have the power adaptor correctly plugged into a known working mains socket and also to the telephone base unit.
Help Interference, noise or poor speech quality This may be due to several factors. Please try the following tests in order: • Ensure that your main base is not placed close to any electrical or metal appliances. • If you have a broadband service, on most broadband lines, an adsl filter is required. Please try the phone with adsl filters installed in all the sockets that are in use. Please go to bt.custhelp.com/app/answers for instructions on installing adsl filters, or call 0800 111 4567.
Help If you’ve checked the above and still your answering machine doesn’t record messages, please try the Answering machine doesn’t record following tests in order: • If the line cord isn’t connected to messages the telephone master socket (usually • Check that the power is on and the one nearest to the front door), that you have the power adaptor test it in the master socket without correctly plugged into a known any adapters, filters, splitters or working mains socket and also to extension cables.
General information Important This equipment is not designed for making emergency phone calls when the power fails. Alternative arrangements should be made for access to emergency services. This product is intended for connection to analogue public switched phone networks and private switchboards in the United Kingdom. Replacing the handset batteries After a time, you might find that the handset batteries run out of charge more quickly. This is a standard sign of wear and the batteries will need replacing.
General information • Radio signal transmitted between the handset and base may cause interference to hearing aids. • It is recommended that advice from a qualified expert be sought before using this product in the vicinity of emergency/intensive care medical equipment. • It is recommended that if you have a pacemaker fitted you check with a medical expert before using this product. • Your product may interfere with other electrical equipment, e.g.
General information How to recycle your equipment The symbol shown here and on the product means that the product is classed as electrical or electronic equipment, so DO NOT put it in your normal rubbish bin. It’s all part of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive to recycle products in the best way – to be kinder to the planet, get rid of dangerous things more safely and bury less rubbish in the ground.
General information Guarantee conditions • The guarantee shall only apply to defects that occur within the 12 month guarantee period. • Proof of purchase is provided. • The equipment is returned to BT or its agent as instructed. • This guarantee doesn’t cover any faults or defects caused by accidents, misuse, fair wear and tear, neglect, tampering with the equipment, or any attempt at adjustment or repair other than through approved agents. • This guarantee does not affect your statutory rights.
General information Technical details How many phones can I have? All items of telephone equipment have a Ringer Equivalence Number (REN), which is used to calculate the number of items which may be connected to any one telephone line. Your Essential Phone has a REN of 1. A total REN of 4 is allowed. If the total REN of 4 is exceeded, the telephones may not ring. With different telephone types there is no guarantee of ringing, even when the REN is less than 4.
Offices worldwide The services we’ve described in this publication may not always be available and we may change them. Nothing we’ve written here is contractual. When we supply services and equipment, our terms and conditions apply. © British Telecommunications plc 2017 We’re registered in England at 81 Newgate Street, London EC1A 7AJ (company number 1800000). Available in other formats including braille, large print or audio CD. If you would like a copy, please call 0800 145 6789*.
