Does Ebul V3 need to be connected to the Router?

[restyler]

Ive just switched across from Sky Broadband & Landline to Virgin & had requested an emergency back up line.

The engineer connected the Hub- v3 last week & told me the Ebul V3must be charged for around 8 hours before use.

So Ive now attached the Ebul to the wall next to the router & it gives me a dialtone when I lift the handset, but as no instructions was left with any of the kit I'm not sure if the phone cable from the Ebul needs to be connected direct to the router or to my regular phone socket or does it not need to be connected to anything if it uses its own built in sim to make calls?

Any advice - or even a wiring diagram would be welcome

Thanks

[restyler]

My point is that because its an Emergency Back Up Phone & so by definition will ONLY be used in an emergency when the 'landline' phone connection is knocked out because of power outage etc, why therefore would you need it connected to the router if its only going to be used when the router is Not Working?

[Ilyas_Y]

Thanks for reaching out to us @restyler 👋🏼

Although the main line is connected via the broadband hub.
The emergency back up line kicks in after it detects that the main line is out / not working, that is when the SIM goes active to allow calls to emergency services.

It's not that it runs off the main line but is activated by an outage on the main line. 🧾

I hope this clarifies.

Kind regards,
Ilyas.

[Roger_Gooner]

Also I expect most people to use the EBUL as their replacement phone, so it needs to be connected to the hub. I think you can retain your existing phone for daily usage but do keep the EBUL connected to a power supply so that the battery is charged should it be needed in an emergency.

[restyler]

But heres the thing that no-one seems to get - Its NOT been connected to the router since it was installed almost 3 weeks ago, & yet I can just pick up its handset & just dial any number whatsoever (NOT just emergency services). I just tested this 5 minutes ago by ringing my mobile from it & it worked just fine.

So when you say that it 'kicks in after it detects the main line is out', thats fine in theory but in reality by Not having it connected to the router it just means that its ALWAYS active and could be used to call ANY number at ANY time.

So if the only point of having it connected to the router is so it can 'switch itself on' when it doesnt detect a router signal, then by not having it connected simply means that as its always active, its always ready to work as an Emergency Phone anyway.

[goslow]

The previous EBUL device required a pass-thru connection to the hub and was connected to an ordinary telephone handset which might be why the idea of connecting that way has persisted.

Have you investigated how/if you are being charged for the outbound calls made via the EBUL on a mobile connection?

In past topics, some have also reported being able to dial any number from the EBUL (although the VM documentation states emergency services numbers only and an 07 number of the SIM card is given for inbound calls).

IIRC, there have also been past mentions of the EBUL v3 switching between the hub landline connection and a mobile connection but with the mobile connection being configured to act in the same way as the landline (i.e. charged as per the landline calling packages and presenting the landline number for an outbound call in mobile mode).

There were not many mentions of this and I never understood whether this was by accident or design or simply an experimental configuration with VM gave to some customers as a trial.

I can't recall VM providing any clear answers on the subject either.

In a past topic, I think VM stated that the customer could put their own SIM into an EBUL but that VM would not support the device if the customer chose to do that.

So maybe check out the above and see how/when/if you are being billed for the calls in mobile mode from the EBUL and at what call rates.

[goslow]

A couple of past references to the above

https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Forum-Archive/Sloppy-text-from-VM/td-p/5027692

https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Home-Phone/We-re-updating-your-Emergency-Backup-Line/td-p/52869...

[restyler · Accepted solution]

Thanks for your very informative comments & links Goslow.

Using those, together with the testing Ive just done today, I think I can now write the definitive version of how the Motorola FW500 Emergency Back Up Line  (EBUL V3) works and how it can be connected to the Router if you so wish, although it works just fine if you leave it unconnected, (but still powered from its mains adaptor).

So, the VM EBUL v3 is a Motorola FW 500 unit that contains a sim card supplied by VM that can operate on a multitude of mobile networks. The Sim card number is usually on a sticker supplied in its box - (handy to stick this to the phone somewhere)

You have it permanently connected via its mains adaptor to keep it charged up, & in the event of a power loss youve got at least 8hrs of call time - or far more if just left in standby.

It has a single phone cable connected to it which is terminated with a regular BT 431A phone plug. If you want to connect it to the RJ11 'Tel1' socket of your VM router you'll need an RJ11 to BT plug adaptor like this. And if this RJ11 socket is already occupied by a cable to your landline phones, then you'll also need a line splitter adaptor like this so that both RJ11 cables can be connected to theTel1 socket.

If the EBULv3 is used UNCONNECTED to the router, then it can be used at ANY time to ring ANY UK number  whether it be Mobile (starting 07), Landline (starting 01 / 02 / 03), Freephone, or Emergency numbers. It uses its built in SIM card to connect to the network and the person receiving the call will see the SIM number of the EBUL (starting 07).  Anybody can call the EBUL phone if they have its SIM number and ONLY the EBUL phone will ring. When used unconnected to the router you may not hear a regular dial tone from its handset when picked up. All calls made via the EBUL, ( to the above UK numbers), will be FREE of charge as long as those types of call are normally part of your VM call plan.

If the EBULv3 is used CONNECTED to the router (whilst the router is working normally), then it assumes your regular landline phone number & becomes part of your landline array - and so will ring & can be answered if anyone calls your landline. If you make calls from it then anyone receiving those calls will see your regular landline number displayed. All calls from it will be charged the same as any other landline phone in your house according to your VM phone plan.  As soon the internet goes down or you have a power outage, the EBUL will detect the lack of signal on the Tel1 connection & automatically switch to SIM card mode as described above, reverting back to landline mode when the internet signal is restored.

I just wish the info that VM tells its engineers & moderators on here about the Ebul v3 was brought up to date, as most of the info they were telling me including the VM links at the start of this thread was just wrong & very unhelpful.

[goslow]

An excellent summary which others will find useful in the future when searching for the same info.

As you say, it's a shame VM's published info in the phone guide is not as detailed and clear.

[restyler]

Note to VM mods - Could the above be highlighted as the main solution to the problem rather than that which is presently highlighted which isnt really a solution - Thanks

[restyler]

I may have worked out the EBUL system but I'm still perplexed about how they can charge a £30 installation fee when all the adverts state ' NO Setup Fee'? - Maybe that'll be the next question to tackle 😉

In answer to your questions:- Yes you can take the EBUL to a picnic & make FREE calls covered by your home phone plan on top of a mountain or anywhere within the UK that is covered by the mobile network. Ive also just checked the EBUL power supply which is rated at 5v@1A which means it can be powered by a standard power bank with the right plug adaptor.

No idea if it would work abroad though as it would probably need roaming enabled on the SIM - thats one for someone else to check out.