Forum Discussion

47Dave's avatar
47Dave
On our wavelength
3 years ago

Emergency Backup Line version 3 - availability

In the virgin media phone user guide at https://store.virginmedia.com/content/dam/eSales/Downloads/Phone%20User%20Guide.pdf near the bottom of the page, it includes details of two different emergency backup line devices: V(ersion) 1 and V3. V1 seems to be the one provided so far,  to homes with accessibility needs.

However, V3 looks like an actual phone and allows 9 speed dial numbers in addition to the two emergency services numbers. This is an important development.

There seems to be no information on the VM website about the V3 EBL and none has been sent to me at least, in a VM home with accessibility needs. So the question is:

1. Does this V3 device exist?
2. Is it available now on request and if not, when?
3. Is it free?

Hopefully someone knows the answers because it's what  is needed and should have been introduced before anyone was forced to switch to VOIP.

  • Hi 47Dave

     

    Thanks for your response!

     

    I'll drop you a private message now to collect some more information so we can have this resolved for you. Please keep an eye on your inbox for a message from myself to confirm some details for this.

     

    Regards

  • Hi 47Dave,

    Thank you for your post and welcome back to our community forums. We're here to help.

    It's correct that we have two different EBUL products, with the latter being one that was developed and introduced more recently. Do you currently have an EBUL? If so, are you experiencing any issues with it?

    Thanks,
     

    • 47Dave's avatar
      47Dave
      On our wavelength

      Hi @Zach_R

      I am a carer of a vulnerable adult  who cannot properly use mobile phones and with speech difficulties is often unable to be understood by strangers. Therefore, use of the 999 system is not a safe or proper option for them and accordongly, I did not request the EBUL device as described when it was offered by VM some time ago. It appears to have been the V1 device and the V3 option was not mentioned.

      A V3 device programmed with speed dial numbers of specific people, who would be able to understand in the event of an emergency, would be suitable. Can you advise me how to obtain one?

  • Travis_M's avatar
    Travis_M
    Forum Team (Retired)

    Hi 47Dave

     

    Thanks for your response!

     

    I'll drop you a private message now to collect some more information so we can have this resolved for you. Please keep an eye on your inbox for a message from myself to confirm some details for this.

     

    Regards

    • 47Dave's avatar
      47Dave
      On our wavelength

      Update:

      Backup phone v3 was ordered for me, is installed, working and does what I need. Thanks to @Travis_M and anyone else involved!

       

      • Molly_T's avatar
        Molly_T
        Forum Team

        Hi Dave, thank you for returning to the thread to keep it updated! 

        Really pleased to hear this is now all sorted. Just let us know if you have any further issues and we will be happy to help! 

        All the best. 

    • Camleaper's avatar
      Camleaper
      Joining in

      Hi Travis, hope you can help me too. I need an emergency backup device for my 94 year old mother. Tried 0345 4541111 number but couldn’t find an option to order this. How can I get one ? 

      • Gareth_L's avatar
        Gareth_L
        Forum Team

        Hello Camleaper.

        Thanks for your post.

        Travis is away right now so I can pick this up for you.

        It is possible from here to order an Emergency backup line for your mother.

        If you don't mind, I will need to send you a private message to pass security. 
        If you can check the Logo top right of your screen that would be great. 
        Regards     
        Gareth_L
         

    • djpleasure's avatar
      djpleasure
      On our wavelength

      Can you message me too as need ebl when the changeover happens, assume VM do not provide ups in case of power outage? And does ebl work if a network outage? I have very limited and often not working mobile network. All mobile providers same for my area

      • Zach_R's avatar
        Zach_R
        Forum Team

        Hi djpleasure,

        Thank you for your post and welcome back to our community forums. We're here to help.

        If you require an EBUL then please respond to the private message that I'll be sending to you shortly and we can proceed from there.

        Thanks.
         

  • Hi Dave, AFAIK even though the V3 has speed dial, you can still only call 999 or 112 during power / network outages

    • 47Dave's avatar
      47Dave
      On our wavelength

      Just to confirm, for the benefit of others, that you are NOT limited to dialing 999 or 112 during power/network outages. You can put other family members  for example on speed dial and use them in mobile mode. That was essential for my use case.