Can I use my old answering machine when I upgrade from Copper to Fibe home phone?

[93ILU]

New fibe landline has been installed to replace coppers one last week. Since then my phone with answering machine does not work anymore. It is ringing non-stop. I want a true answer..is new fibe line not compatible with old answering machine. I do not want to be offer the voice mail of bell. I would like to know the technical issue. Tech on spot didn't know. 

[BellKris]

Hey @93ILU, thanks for reaching out to the Bell Community.
It sounds like you may need to set up the voice mail on your answering machine again. We recommend referring to your user manual for more information about your voicemail settings.

[93ILU]

I was sure that you would answer that. No and no this is not right. I did set up my answering many times and it shows that it is on. It is still ringing. I'm sure it's something to do with the signal which is no more analog. But you will never admit it

[Spawley]

We have the same problem! Answering machine settings are set up perfectly. New Bell Fibe won’t work with it.

Bell is the problem NOT our answering machines. 

[WelshTerrier]

Just some thoughts & ideas for your consideration.

1. I trust your answering machine is turned on, set to record messages & that old messages have been erased to allow space for new messages.
2. Does your answering machine have dial-tone? (Try the talk button or speakerphone button to verify this.)
3. Verify dial-tone at the wall jack for the answering machine.
4. How many rings is the answering machine programmed for before it picks up the call?
5. Your Bell Home phone service: Do you have Lite or Choice?
6. Do you have Bell Call Answer as well as your answering machine. If so, make sure the it is programmed to answer at least 2-3 rings after your answering system or turn off Call Answer by dialing *93.

If this does not resolve your issue, could you please provide me with some further details?

1. Manufacturer, Make, Model, vintage, etc.
2. Is it wired directly in to your modem, jack, etc.
3. Is this a cordless system? Hardwired  phones & jacks? How are the phones connected? Are all of jacks, telephones, & answering machine looped from the telephone output on the modem?
4. Have you reviewed the manufactures manual for detailed setup & instructions for usage and / or contacted their customer service support?

[Morley1]

I switched to bell 3 months ago for internet, T V and home phone.  My former answering machine does 

not work with the Bell system.  I had a separate G E answering machine.  I see separate Digital Answering Machines

Would that work?  Do I have to buy a new phone set with the answering machine built in?  I guess the bell system with the fiber line requires a new Answering machine.  Does anyone know what to buy?  Let me know please?  Mike

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

I would recommend updating your phone system at the same time. I am using a Panasonic KX-TG175C DECT 6.0 Digital Phone System purchased from Costco. It is 1 year old & works extremely well with Bell Home phone on fibre.

I can recommend the following cordless answering machine companies. The nice thing about Panasonic & Vtech is they are cordless & expandable. Both have base unit answering machines with expandable phone devices from 2-6 handsets.

1. Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Phone with Answering Machine

2. VTech DECT 6.0 Bluetooth Cordless Phone with Answering Machine

The time to buy is now as most models are on sale and available at The Source, Best Buy, Amazon Canada, Costco, etc.

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell Community Forum.

Take care.

[LittleBetty16]

Landline does not give busy signal when in use.  Instead, caller hears a message saying the person is not available at this time, call back.  I do not subscribe to call waiting, only call display.  I do not subscribe to Bell voicemail either.  If no one answers landline, my personal answering machine takes a message.  This is very frustrating, not at all happy I was forced to have landline service changed to over the internet.

[WelshTerrier]

There may be a conflict with the settings of your answering machine & your Home phone features.
Please login to MyBell > Select Home phone. > Select My package & features. On the left side of the screen you will be able to view which Home phone package & features you are subscribed to & activated on your Home phone account.

You indicated that you have Call Display, but you do not have Call Waiting.  The Home phone Basic & Home phone Choice packages includes both of these features. Both of these features are combined in to one feature called Visual Call Waiting.

I have included the following link that will explain Visual Call Display & it’s settings.

Visual Call Waiting on my Bell Home phone

https://support.bell.ca/home_phone/calling_features/how_to_use_visual_call_waiting_on_my_bell_home_p...

I am not sure which answering machine manufacturer & model number you are using. I can only suggest that you have a look at the instruction manual & confirm the answer & number of ring settings when your home phone service includes Visual Call Waiting.

Let us know if we can provide you with further assistance.

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell Community Forum.

Take.

[LittleBetty16]

Reviewing my current bill and information on My Bell:  Monthly Service:

1   Residence Line

1  Call Display Number

1  911 Emergency Service Access

No Call Waiting listed as a feature on phone bill or on My Bell.

[dks]

It is possible you have Call Answer enabled by default. You can follow these instructions to turn it off.  Try that to see if your answering machine will work. 

Turning Call Answer on and off - expanded

To have Call Answer take messages when your line is busy:

• Dial * 90 to turn it on.
• Dial * 91 to turn it off.

To have Call Answer take messages when you don’t answer:

• Dial * 92 to turn it on.
• Dial * 93 to turn it off

https://support.bell.ca/home_phone/calling_features/how_to_use_call_answer_on_my_bell_home_phone 

[Sighthound]

New fibre landline.  Existing cordless (Panasonic KX-TGA410) lost Talking Caller ID, Message Waiting Light and Message Waiting on Dial Tone features.  No help from Bell repair.  Do I have to buy a new phone?

[dks]

Thank you for your question. You may have to check the manufacturer's web site to determine if your phone will or will not work with your fibre landline. Are you able to make and receive calls? If not, you may have to replace your phone with a newer model.  At the same time, Bell removed the Message Waiting signal (no more flashing light - they sent you (and me) a voicemail message!) on their system as of December 1, 2023 and replaced it with Online Voice Mail. You can read more about that service here.  https://support.bell.ca/home_phone/calling_features/how_to_use_online_voice_mail_for_my_bell_home_ph...  

[WelshTerrier]

Although your Panasonic phone is 12-14 years old, I do not see any reason why it would not be compatible with Bell Home phone on fibre. I am on Bell fibre with Home phone choice, with a newer model Panasonic answering system & it works great!

You should also confirm which Bell Home phone package that you purchased from Bell & the included features. 

The Panasonic KX-TGA410 is an additional handset unit. It is not a base unit. Which model of Panasonic Cordless answering system are you using? Is it Model No. KX-TG4111 or KX-TG4132 ?

I have included the manuals for both of these models.

Product Guide - KX-TG4111

Panasonic - KX-TG4111

Product Guide - KX-TG4132

Panasonic - KX-TG4132

Most Panasonic answering systems are compatible with Bell Home phone on fibre.

To start off, please:

1. Verify your Panasonic model number  & reference the installation & setup instructions for it.
2. Check that you are subscribed to either Bell Home phone Basic or Choice.
3. Make sure that your base unit is plugged in to a working jack. (If you pick up the handset & use the talk or speakerphone button, you should have dial tone.)
4. Select Menu on your handset & scroll through the Settings & the Initial setup & adjust accordingly.
5. Check on MyBell that you have selected and activated the appropriate features
6. If you have more than one handset unit, make they are plugged in to an a/c outlet, a signal is displayed & that the batteries are fully charged.

If after verifying all of the above, your existing Panasonic answering system should be in working order. If you have dial tone at the base unit & your features are still not working, than I would contact Bell Customer Service - tech support & ask them to check your line ensuring all of your features have been activated & in working order.

Thank you for contacting the Bell Community Forum.

Take care

[Mary1958 · Accepted solution]

I don't know if your problem has been solved but...I had the same problem after new fibe was installed. I bought new panasonic phones thinking they were just old. They were even worse. Returned and bought Bell cordless set. These were even worse than the new panasonic ones. I had been calling the help line without resolution as well. Finally a tech was sent out. Turns out that the new base phone should have been plugged into the new fibe modem when it was first installed. That was done by the tech and "presto" everything worked as it should. Please note that I only have cordless phones in the house. I hope this saves someone the hours and returns I had to go through.