Why you need a router for your phone
Guide reference: HG-0003
Quote this reference if you contact us about this guide.
Approx. 3 min read
Why a small box connects your home phone to the network. The router we provide is essential for your digital line (SOGEA) service.
Don't worry if you have never used a router before. With a digital home phone, a small box connects your phone to the network and replaces the old master socket for calls.
Quick answer
The router we provide is essential for your digital line (SOGEA) service. It must stay connected and powered on at all times. Your phone must plug into the router phone port, not an old wall socket.
More detail
With an old copper line, the phone socket on the wall carried the line directly. With a digital telephone line (SOGEA), the router is essential infrastructure for your service.
Simple Telecoms supplies the router when you join. It has a phone socket for your home phone and lights that show when it is ready.
Your handset must plug into the phone socket on the router, not into an old wall socket. The service will not work if the phone is connected to a traditional wall socket.
The router must remain connected and switched on at all times for your service to work correctly. If it loses power or connection, your phone stops working until it recovers.
Things to understand
The router is essential infrastructure for your digital line service and must stay connected at all times.
It connects to your main phone socket and has a phone socket labelled for your home phone.
The router must stay switched on at all times for your phone to work.
Status lights on the box show power, internet, and phone readiness.
Restarting the box is a common fix when the phone or internet stops working.
Common mistakes
- Unplugging the router to save power, which stops your phone working.
- Plugging the phone into an old wall socket instead of the router phone port.
- Hiding the box somewhere hard to reach when you need to check cables.
Things to know
- See Setting up your router or adapter box for the correct plug-in order.
- See Where to plug in your phone for which socket to use.
- Hybrid and Mobile services use different equipment without a home router.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my own router?
Your phone line is set up to work with the equipment we provide. Contact us before swapping boxes.
Does the box provide Wi-Fi?
Some boxes include Wi-Fi for internet. The phone socket on the box is for your home phone.
What if the lights go off?
Check power first, then See No dial tone or reset your phone equipment.