Landline phone with answering machine/voicemail

[donald_s]

I have to dump my AT&T copper wire landline. I'm going with a VOIP phone from Spectrum, still with a cordless handset. We can't do cell, the service in our area just isn't reliable.

There is a problem. The installer wants to put the jack by the modem which is upstairs. But we need the answering machine downstairs, so we can see if we have messages when we come home, are watching TV, etc.

Is there cordless phone system that has an answering machine that works with one of the cordless phone systems? Or wirelessly somehow? Or if we have to use voicemail, is there a landline that shows an alert on all phones that there is a voicemail message? We need some way to know that there is a message.

Thanks!

[bobdevnul]

I have to dump my AT&T copper wire landline. I'm going with a VOIP phone from Spectrum, still with a cordless handset. We can't do cell, the service in our area just isn't reliable.

There is a problem. The installer wants to put the jack by the modem which is upstairs. But we need the answering machine downstairs, so we can see if we have messages when we come home, are watching TV, etc.

Is there cordless phone system that has an answering machine that works with one of the cordless phone systems? Or wirelessly somehow? Or if we have to use voicemail, is there a landline that shows an alert on all phones that there is a voicemail message? We need some way to know that there is a message.

Thanks!

Yes, typical cordless phone systems with an answering machine in the base unit can plug in anywhere and you will also get notification of missed calls and answering machine messages on the cordless handsets that you can put anywhere.

My Panasonic one has a answering machine in the base.

[donald_s]

I wasn't entirely clear. All the systems I've seen you have to plug in the base unit with the answering machine into the jack. My machine does that now. And none of the other units in that system have a blinking light telling you there is a message, that's only on the base. I need the other units to provide that information.

[zapjb]

Can you move the base downstairs?

[joseg2016]

I am totally unsure about the "VPN" part of what you want, but you can look into Vtech; which is for landline use, has a plug-into-the-wall base, and two or three extension bases and handsets. The system does, yes, have a voicemail feature.
(yes, the handsets are cordless.)

[kaZZoo]

Do you have another phone jack near the modem.

[whacker]

You should be able to connect whatever analog telephone jack Spectrum provides at the output of their modem to your house's existing phone wiring (after disconnecting the house from the former landline provider's network outside at the Network Interface box), and plug your stuff in anywhere that's convenient. Just a common analog phone line cord from that modem from Spectrum to any existing (functioning and connected) RJ11 modular phone jack. That'll energize the home's entire network of phone lines, assuming there is more than just one jack. But be certain to disconnect at the outside Network Interface. Open the box and unplug a very short RJ11 cable, and that's all there is to separating your house from the phone company.

That sure seems like a wacky way for a cable company like Spectrum to install an incoming line. Usually a cable company, even if it meets the house high, runs the cable down low to enter the premises at the ground or basement level.

Are you somehow getting phone-only service or are you getting a 'double-play' setup (phone and cable TV, or both of those with internet or some combination)?

But regardless, wherever an analog phone service signal from a third party appears, it can be connected to existing house wiring and you can connect your existing phones (whether corded or cordless, with or without built-in answering machines) right where they're currently at.

By the way, when using voicemail that will no doubt be included with this type of service (which you don't have to use), the common way to be alerted to waiting messages is to 'lift the receiver' (or turn on a phone) and listen to hear if the dial tone is pulsing or stuttering. If it is, you've got messages.

My sister has home phone service from her cable company (Comcast/Xfinity), but still likes to use the digital answering machine I bought her as a present back in the late '90s! Still works, and it's positioned right at the door where she walks in so she can quickly see if there's a message waiting.

I'm curious: Is it a matter of AT&T discontinuing that service or you just wanting to get out of it (maybe due to cost, poor service, etc.), if I may ask?

[donald_s]

Whacker,

I am dumping AT&T because my service has been down 3 times in a month. And now they are telling me I have a 12 days wait for a technician to come fix it. I have AT&T copper wire service so I have a phone even in power failures. 12 days without service? That's unlivable. So I'm going with Spectrum and a battery backup. I was paying a fortune for the service with AT&T and this is how they reward a good customer.

As far as hooking up the phone, those are all good suggestions. I'm not sure if I can use an existing jack or not, my phone is currently not working, possibly because of internal wiring issues. But if it does work, that would be great.

Thanks guys.

[whacker]

So, poor service. I guess when AT&T want out of the wireline business they let you know with these sorts of methods.

[Serial Port]

One more thought. You could forward your calls from the phone that doesn't work to the one that does work. No need to buy new equipment to do that.

[donald_s]

Ok just an update. The Installer was able to tap into the existing jack upstairs. He had to turn off the power from the AT&T signal to get it to work. But we have our phone service just like it was. Again thank you everyone for your feedback.

[Packerjim]

Good luck Donald

[SpynCycle]

I've been using a Panasonic KX-TGE275 cordless phone since Jan 2015. Base unit, with built in answering machine, and 6 cordless handsets spread through out the house. The base unit will need to be plugged into the wall jack, with a cordless handset placed where you want it. The handset will indicate if there is a message recorded, and you can listen, save, and delete messages from any handset or the base unit. That, or something like it would give you what you want without any additional wiring needed.