BT Essential Phone Single Specification sheet

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.

2
Important – please read rst
• 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.
Your Answer Machine
Make sure the phone is set to
Answer + Rec and that the ring
delay is set to answer before any
voicemail service does. The default
setting is ve rings. If you want to
change it, take a look at page 38.
Where to put your phone
To make sure your handset gives you
the best range and reception, avoid
interference by placing it away from
any large metal objects like fridge-
freezers, microwave ovens,
or electronic products such
as computers and TVs.

3
If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.com/producthelp
Check the box contents
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 product might
not work. Any replacement
rechargeable batteries must be
of the same type. BT accepts no
responsibility for damage caused
to your Essential Phone if you
use any other type of batteries.
Base
Phone line (this comes
already installed)
Mains power adaptor
(item code 090713)
Two rechargeable
batteries, AAA NiMH
550mAh (already
installed in the handset)

4
Essential Phone Single
090657
090713
Quick set-up guide
Where to put your phone
• Place the base within 3 metres
of a mains power socket and 1.8
metres of a phone socket
so the cables will reach.
• Make sure it’s at least a metre
away from other electrical
appliances to avoid interference.
• Don’t place the phone or
base in a bathroom or other
humid area.
• The product works by sending
radio signals between the
handset and base. The strength
of the signal depends on where
you position the base. Putting it
as high as possible can help give
you the best signal.
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.
21

Quick set-up guide
5
If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.com/producthelp
Essential Phone Single
090657
090713
1. Activate the batteries by
pulling the plastic tab away from
the handset.
2. The handset will then check for
a link with the base station. When
it’s found it, follow the prompt to
set the date and time on the phone.
Place the handset on the base and
let it charge for 16 hours.
3. After 16 hours, plug the phone
line cord into the phone wall socket.
Tip
It’s a good idea to set the date and
time now, see page 49.
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.
Battery low warning
You will hear a warning beep
every 2 minutes during a call
and the icon will ash.
You must recharge the
handset batteries before you
can use the handset. If the
charge completely runs out
the handset will switch o.
Place the handset on the base
or charger to charge.
Rechargeable batteries
already fitted
Remove this tab
and charge batteries
for 16 hours before use.
2. Charge
3

Quick set-up guide
6
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.
Battery performance
• To keep the batteries in
the best condition, leave the
handset o the base for a
few hours at a time.
• Running the batteries right
down at least once a week
will help them last as long
as possible.
• After charging your handset
for the rst time, subsequent
charging time for the batteries
is approximately 8 hours.
• The charge capacity of
rechargeable batteries will go
down over time, which will
reduce the talk and standby
time. Eventually they’ll need
replacing. For details on how
to get replacement batteries,
call Discom on 0800
9808 999*.
090713
090658
Essential Phone Twin
Tip
If you need to take the batteries out,
slide the battery cover down, then
gently take the batteries out.

Quick set-up guide
7
If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.com/producthelp
Using your Essential Phone
on a line with broadband?
To avoid problems with your
broadband or noise on your
phone line, you might need to
plug your telephone line cord
into the wall socket via
a microlter (not supplied).
If your main phone socket has
a single socket, you do need to
use microlters, like this:
You’ll need a microlter for
every phone socket where
you’ve got equipment plugged
in – up to a maximum of four
per line – including alarm
sytems and digital TV boxes.
You can get BT ADSL micro
lters from bt.com/shop
You don’t need to use
microlters if your main
phone socket has two
separate sockets, like these:
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.
Or, you may nd the answer in
the Help section on page 56 or
see our online frequently asked
questions at bt.com/producthelp.
If you need to call the Helpline,
please read the Help section on
pages 56 - 58 rst. It contains
troubleshooting tips for common
problems and frequently asked
questions. If you still need some
help, call the Helpline on 0800
145 6789*.
Tip
If you call the Helpline for advice, it’s a
good idea to call using another phone
so you can follow any instructions
using your Essential Phone.
*Calls made from within the UK mainland
network and mobile networks are free.
International call costs may vary.
3. Go!

8
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 o
– 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 Saving a redial number to
the phonebook
– Deleting a number from the
redial list
– Deleting the entire redial list
21 Turning the handset ringer
on or o
– Finding your handset (paging)
22 Block nuisance calls
– Block calls by type or number
23 Switch BT Call Blocking on/o
– Block all calls
– Switch BT Call Blocking o
– Allow VIP Incoming calls
– Block numbers in the Block list
– Enter a start and end time for
Block all, Allow VIP and the
Block List
24 Delete numbers in the Block list
– The Block button
25 Change the access PIN
26 Phonebook
– Store a phonebook entry
27 Character map
– Viewing/dialling a
phonebook entry
28 Searching alphabetically for a
phonebook entry
– Editing a phonebook entry
29 Adding a pause to a
saved number
– Viewing a phonebook entry
during a call

Contents
9
If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.com/producthelp
– 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
– Outgoing messages
36 Recording your own
outgoing message
– Playing the current
outgoing message
37 Recording a memo
– Setting the Answer Mode
38 Setting the Ring delay
39 Call screening
– Playing messages using
the handset
40 Message playback
41 Deleting all old played messages
– Switching the answer machine
on or o at the base
– Playing messages using the base
– Message playback on the base
42 Deleting all played messages
– Remote access
– Setting or changing the remote
access PIN
43 Turning remote access on or o
– Operating your answer
machine remotely
44 Settings
– Setting the handset ringtone
– Setting the handset
ringer volume
45 Turning the key tones
on or o
– Changing the handset name
46 Turning the backlight on or o
– Changing the call settings
47 Base settings
– Setting the base ringtone
– Setting the base ringer volume
– Change the system PIN
48 Reset

Contents
10
49 Clock/Alarm
– Setting the date and time
– Setting an alarm
– Switching the alarm o
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

11
If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.com/producthelp

12
Getting to know your phone
Menu/Left option
Press to enter the main menu,
access sub-menus and conrm
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 o.
Down navigation button/Phonebook
Access saved contacts.
Move down through menu options.
Decrease volume.
1 to 9 Speed dial buttons
In standby, press and hold to dial
a saved speed dial number.
Long press to make internal calls to
other handsets registered to the base.
Handset buttons

Getting to know your phone
13
If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.com/producthelp
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.
End call
End a call or press and hold to turn
handset on or o.
Press to return to home screen when
not on a call.
0
Add a space when typing.
Press and hold to toggle between
uppercase and lowercase characters
when typing.

Getting to know your phone
14
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 o.
Lets you know the answer
machine is on. Flashes if you
have new answer machine
messages.
Lets you know the signal range
from your new phone’s base
OK
Handset name
Handset display

Getting to know your phone
15
If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.com/producthelp
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 . If you don’t
press anything for 30 seconds,
the handset will automatically
return to the home screen.
OK
Left option button
Press to select the
option displayed on
the screen above
the button or to
conrm entry.
Finding your way around your phone
Navigation buttons
Scroll up or down through
the menu options.
Right option button
Press to delete or
go back to the
previous screen.

Getting to know your phone
16
Base buttons
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. Flashes when
the handset is on a call.
Answer on/o
Press to turn the
answer machine on
or o. When it’s set to
on, ‘On’ will light up.
Find
Press to ring all
registered handsets.
This is helpful for
nding missing
handsets. There’s more
about this on page 21.
- Volume +
Decrease or increase
the speaker volume
during playback
and the call screening
volume during
idle mode.
Play
Green light on the
button will ash
when you have a
new message.
Press to play messages.
Press to stop messages
during playback.
Skip<<
During playback,
press to skip back to
previous message.
Skip>>
During message
playback, press to skip
forward to the start of
the next message.

17
If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.com/producthelp
Using the phone
Switching the handset on and o
Press and hold until the handset
turns on or o.
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 ash.
Preparatory dialling
1. This lets you type in the number
rst, 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 .
Receiving a call
When you get a call, your phone
will ring and the icon will ash on
the display.
If you’ve got a caller display service,
the caller’s number will show on the
display. Press to answer the call.
If you switch the phone o
and on again, the phone
will need to be charged
for some time, before the
true charge status can be
recalculated by the phone
and accurately displayed.
Call timer
Your handset will
automatically time your
outgoing and incoming
calls. The handset shows
the length of time both
during and for a few
seconds after your call.
When you make a call, the
In use light on the base
LED will ash.
Auto Hang-Up
If auto hangup is set to On
you can end a call by
placing the handset back
in the base.
If Auto Hang-Up is set to
O, you’ll need to press
to end the call.
Auto Hang-Up On is
the default setting.
See page 46.

Using the phone
18
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.
Handsfree
Handsfree lets you talk to your caller
without holding the handset. It also
means anyone in the room can listen
to the call as well.
1. Type the number you want to call
and then press twice. You’ll hear
your call on the loudspeaker. Press
to switch between the earpiece and
loudspeaker.
2. Press to end the call.
Auto Pick-Up
If Auto Pick-Up is set to On
you can answer a call by lifting
the handset o the base.
If Auto Pick-Up is set to O,
you’ll need to lift the handset
o the base and press too.
Auto Pick-Up O is the
default setting. See page 46.
Out of range warning
The icon on the handset
display lets you know you’re
within range of the base.
If you go out of range the
icon will disappear.
If you’re on a call and go out
of range, you’ll hear a warning
beep. You’ll need to move
back within range of the base.
If you do lose the connection,
the handset will automatically
re-connect to the base when
you move back in range.

Using the phone
19
If you need some help, call us on 0800 145 6789 or go to bt.com/producthelp
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 o
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
1. Press . Your last
dialled number will show on the
display screen.
2. Press to call it.
Viewing and dialling a number in the
redial list
1. Press . The last number
will show.
2. Press or to get to the number
you want.
3. Press to connect your call.

Using the phone
20
Saving a redial number to
the phonebook
1. Press , then use and to
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 conrm.
Press again.
Deleting the entire redial list
1. Press and then .
2. Press until you see Delete All.
Press .
3. You’ll be asked to conrm.
Press .