AboutEric Miller Expertise I have over 10 years worth of experience in the telecommunications industry. I can give helpful information on virtually all aspects of telecommunications from residential installations to full size commercial installations. I have extensive experience in working with telecom media from CAT3 cable to fiberoptic cable. Be forewarned, hardware and software is not my thing, but I will give it my best to answer your questions.
Experience I have over 10 years worth of telephony experience, most of it in installation. I have extensive experience working with dial tone. I also have extensive knowledge in the installation/termination of all low-voltage cables, from CAT3 voice grade cable, to outside plant cable, to fiberoptic cable. I have used all types of test equipment ranging from CAT5 cable testers to OTDR's. I have experience in working with digital keys systems and PBX's.
Education/Credentials I have been BICSI certified. I have held certifications in digital key systems, voicemail, and other external equipment. I have held numerous certifications covering the installation of low voltage cable, including fiberoptic cable.
Expert: Eric Miller Date: 6/13/2007 Subject: answering machine not working w/digital phone
Question QUESTION: hi..just got digital phone service w/time warner cable & it's been a nightmare from start. anyway, the 6 yr old answering machine that i've been using is no longer working. it just never picks up to record messages. do you know why it's suddenly incompatible w/the digital phone service?
ANSWER: Hi MJ-
The problem lies with not with your answering machine, but with your new digital phone service. For analog devices to work, like answering machines or normal telephones, they need to see "ringing voltage" coming from the service provider (ie. BellSouth). They send 48 volts DC downstream from the Central Office to your home. This voltage operates the ringers built into these analog devices. Your digital connection is broadband, which means it comes to you via the cable company and they do not and cannot produce voltage. Your only options, unfortunately, are to buy a broadband answering machine (I looked online and couldn't find one. That doesn't mean one's not manufactured), or subscribe to Time Warner's Voicemail service. They should provide that at no charge. I hope I was able to help! Thanks for the question!
Eric
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QUESTION: you know what's strange about that, is the technician said this in the ONLY machine he's seen this happen with, so i wonder why all 'these' other machines are working fine.
also does it matter that this is called a digital answ. machine?
ANSWER: Thanks for the comments! OK, a typical "digital" answering machine means that messages are stored "digitally" on a type of hard drive and not on a small cassette tape. I've got a digital answering machine myself. I prefer digital answering machines to the older style anyday. These machines cannot accept broadband signal. They're not smart enough. I think the technician that came and looked at your machine was full of pooh. I would like to look further into this, however. Could you email me the model and part number of your machine? My email is emiller@mtsu.edu. Thanks for the follow-up!
Eric
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QUESTION: thanks for response! ok, my answ. machine is a phonemate casio, model ta105, not sure where part # is but it says that it complies w/part #66. i hope that helps. by the bar code on bottom - 0105 1018310653. thanks again
It looks like your new phone service is NOT compatible with your answering machine. The broadband service just doesn't produce the voltage needed for analog devices to work. Your machine was also developed several years before internet phone service was possible. Sounds like the tech that came out to take a look was indeed full of pooh. The Voicemail service takes a little to get used to, but it isn't really all that bad. If I can help further in any form or fashion, let me know. Thanks!
