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You can register up to a combination of sixteen numbers to your Calling Circle, including:

• Up to 11 UK mobile numbers / UK landline nubmers (10% discount)
• Up to 6 international numbers (10% discount)
• One 0845 number (33% discount)

One of your Calling Circle numers can be a primary number and you can receive an additional 10% discount on top of the standard Calling Circle discount.

The Calling Circle is free to all TalkTalk customers, so ensure to set yours up to benefit from these discounts.

To set up or manage your Calling Circle online, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to My Account with your registered Email address and Password.
2. Click Phone & broadband on the left menu.
3. Click Calling Circle.
4. This page lists all of the numbers that are currently in your Calling Circle. You can Add or Remove numbers by clicking the relevant options.

Remember that all calls to TalkTalk landlines are free of charge, so you don't need to add these to your Calling Circle.

If you are unable to set up your Calling Circle online, or have any questions about this service, please Contact us.

Call Diversion lets you divert your calls to almost any phone, including your mobile. Call Diversion can also divert calls while your phone line is in use.

You have to pay a monthly charge for this Calling Feature. For prices see:www.bt.com/callingfeatures.

To use Call Diversion, you'll need a touch tone phone switched to tone dialling. Just about all recent models of phone are compatible. 

How to divert calls

To divert your calls, press the star key (*) on your telephone keypad followed the appropriate code depending on what type of divert you want to set up, and then the star key again. Enter the phone number you want to divert your calls to including the full dialling code and press the hash key (#). An announcement will tell you that you've set it up successfully.

• To divert all calls: *21*(phone number you want to divert to)#
• To divert any calls you don't manage to answer within 15 seconds: *61*(phone number you want to divert to)#
• To divert calls when your phone is engaged: *67*(phone number you want to divert to)#

How to check which numbers you're diverting calls to

To check what numbers you've set up, press the star key (*) on your telephone keypad followed by the hash key (#), the appropriate code, and then the hash key again.

• To check the number you've set up for divert all calls: *#21#
• To check the number you've set up for calls you don't manage to answer within 15 seconds: *#61#
• To check the number you've set up when your phone is engaged: *#67#

Switching off Call Diversion

To switch off Call Diversion, press the hash key (#) on your telephone keypad followed by the appropriate code depending on which type of diversion you want to switch off, and then the hash key again.

• To switch off "divert all calls": #21#
• To switch off a diversion you've set up for calls you don't manage to answer within 15 seconds: #61#
• To switch off a diversion you've set up when your phone is engaged: #67#

Using Call Diversion and Call Barring together

If you've got Call Barring and want to use it with Call Diversion, you must switch Call Diversion on first.

Call Diversion and BT Text

When Call Diversion is used in conjunction with BT Text, your telephone line will need re-registering for BT Text after Call Diversion is removed. To do this you will need to send a text saying 'register' to 00000.

Call Diversion with Call Minder or BT Answer 1571

If you use Call Diversion with either of these services, then Call Diversion will take priority over the handling of the incoming call.

When you have both Call Diversion and BT Answer 1571 and choose to activate Call Diversion, you will not hear the usual interrupted dial tone to indicate that the diversion is active. You'll only hear a change in dial tone when there is a new message on BT Answer 1571.

 Calling Features user guide (PDF doc, 163 KB)

What is BT Answer 1571?

BT Answer 1571 is an answering service that will answer calls when you are either away from the phone or engaged on another call. It then alerts you that there is a new message waiting in your mailbox by placing a stutter dial tone on the line. You can create your own personal greeting for callers to hear and change this as often as you like.

How do I get BT Answer 1571?

To order BT Answer 1571, please go to www.bt.com/callingfeatures or simply dial 1571 from your home phone.

How do I record a personal greeting on my line?

• From your fixed line, dial 1571 using a telephone set for touch-tone dialling
• Press 2 from the main menu to use a personal greeting
• In the next menu press 1
• You'll hear a system message advising you that you have no personal greeting and that to record a personal greeting you must press 1
• After you press 1 you'll hear the system prompt: 'Please record your greeting after the tone. When you’ve finished recording press square (#)'
• After you hear the tone please record your personal greeting as required and then press square (#)
• You'll then hear another system prompt: 'To listen to your greeting press 1. To use it, press 2. To record a new greeting press 3, or, to cancel recording and return to the greeting menu, press star (*)'

How do I remove BT Answer 1571 from my line?

You can do this online. Visit www.bt.com/callingfeatures and click the 'Change features' button. Otherwise please call us on 0800 800 150 (Monday to Saturday 7:30 am – 10pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm

How do I know when BT Answer 1571 has been provided on my line?

After ordering, BT Answer 1571 will be in place within two working days. You can check whether it is on your line by dialling 1571 and listening for the BT Answer mailbox greeting.

How do I access my BT Answer 1571 messages?

Once the service is activated, simply dial 1571 from your home phone to connect to your BT Answer 1571 mailbox.

Is BT Answer 1571 free of charge?

BT Answer 1571 is available at no extra cost when you sign up, for customers who make calls with BT. If you are billed monthly, then you must make at least two chargeable calls with BT each month or if you are billed quarterly, then you must make at least six chargeable calls with BT within that quarter. If you use the service and don't make these calls with BT you will be charged for this service. See www.bt.com/callingfeatures for further information.

How does BT Answer 1571 Message Alert work?

If you miss a call because you're on the phone or internet, BT Answer 1571 will take a message and ring you shortly after you've hung up or logged off and tell you that you have a message.

If my BT Answer 1571 mailbox is full, what message will the next caller hear?

If your BT Answer 1571 mailbox is full, callers will hear the following message: 'Sorry, this mailbox is full, it cannot accept any more messages.'

How do BT Answer 1571 and Call Diversion work together?

When you have both Call Diversion and BT Answer 1571 and choose to activate Call Diversion, you will not hear the usual interrupted dial tone to indicate that the diversion is active. You'll only hear a change in dial tone when there is a new message on BT Answer 1571.

Does BT 1471 (Caller Return) update when a call is answered by BT Answer 1571?

BT 1471 will update in the normal way if:

• BT Answer 1571 picks up the call when there is no reply
• you have Call Waiting active and are engaged on a call but choose not to take the second call

However, please note that 1471 will not update if a call switches to BT Answer 1571 when the line is busy.

BT Answer 1571 knocks me off the Internet. How can I stop this?

If you find that BT Answer 1571 sometimes disconnects you from the Internet, make sure you retrieve all your BT Answer 1571 messages before connecting to your ISP. Then, either save or delete your messages.

How do I know if I have a new message?

When you have a new message you will hear an interrupted dial tone on the phone line. You then simply dial 1571 to listen to your new messages.

How many messages can BT Answer 1571 store?

BT Answer 1571 will store up to ten messages at any one time. The messages will be stored for 20 days, after which time they will automatically delete.

How long can one message last on BT Answer 1571?

The maximum length of time for one message on BT Answer 1571 is two minutes.

If my BT Answer 1571 mailbox is full, what message do I receive when I dial 1571?

If your BT Answer 1571 mailbox is full you will hear the following message on dialling 1571: 'Welcome to BT Answer. BT Answer is completely full. Please delete any unwanted messages'.

If I set up a Reminder Call and choose not to answer it, does the Reminder Call divert to my BT Answer 1571 service?

If you have BT Answer 1571 and set up a reminder call and then don't answer it, the call will not be diverted to the answering service.

How does Call Waiting work with BT Answer 1571?

If you have the BT Answer 1571 service and are on a call when a new incoming call arrives, an intrusion tone will advise you that a new call is waiting. The caller will hear the Call Waiting announcement, and, if you decide not to take the new call, after 21 seconds it will be diverted to the BT Answer 1571 service.

What happens if I stop using my BT Answer 1571 service?

If you do not access your BT Answer 1571 mailbox at least once every 90 days, it will be switched off and any saved messages will be lost. To reinstate the service on your landline, dial 1571 from your handset. To reinstate BT Answer 1571 for BT Broadband Talk, please login to manage your Calling Features online.

More information on managing your BT Broadband Talk Calling Features.

Is my alarm system compatible with BT Answer 1571?

Some social alarm and burglar alarm equipment may not be compatible with BT Answer 1571. Please check with your alarm supplier.

Can I have both BT Answer 1571 Personal Greeting and Message Alert on my line?

Yes, from 25 September 2009, both services become available in the same combined service.

Can callers hear different personalised greetings?

No. If you use a Personal Greeting with Enhanced BT Answer 1571, callers will hear the same greeting regardless of whether the line is busy or unanswered.

 Calling Features user guide (PDF doc, 163 KB)

Caller Display shows you the number of the person calling, so you can decide whether to pick up the phone or leave it to your answering service.

You'll need caller display compatible equipment in order to use this service. If you have Internet Call Waiting, then Caller Display will also work on your PC to show you who is calling.

If the caller is listed in your Address Book, then Caller Display will also display the name of the person trying to contact you.

What is Caller Display compatible equipment?

To find equipment that is compatible with Caller Display, visit the BT Shop and enter the words 'Caller Display' into the search engine.

I'm already paying for Caller Display. What happens when I take up BT Privacy at Home?

You will no longer pay for Caller Display after subscribing to BT Privacy at Home, if you continue to make some calls with BT.

If you are renting Caller Display as part of the BT Calling Features packs, any change to your rental charges will be adjusted automatically.

You may, of course, want to replace Caller Display with another feature from the range of services available. You can do this when you sign up for BT Privacy at Home online.

 Calling Features user guide (PDF doc, 163 KB)

Choose to Refuse lets you put a stop to nuisance or unwanted calls by stopping them from getting through to you. You can block up to ten numbers. Please note that some numbers are excluded from this service.

How do I block numbers from calling me with Choose to Refuse?

To bar the last call you answered with Choose to Refuse:

Dial 14258 and press the star key (*) on your telephone keypad twice at the voice prompt.The number you’ve barred will no longer be able to get through.

To bar other numbers at any time with Choose to Refuse:

Dial 14258 and enter your PIN. Choose to Refuse will give you a choice of the following options:

• Adding a number to your list - Make sure you include the area STD code before UK numbers, and press the hash key (#) at the end of the number to tell Choose to Refuse that it is the end of the number.
• Reviewing your barred numbers list - You can check your list at any time. Choose to Refuse will tell you the number and the date that it was barred. You should also choose this option if you want to delete a number from your list.
• Changing your PIN number - PINs in sequences such as 5678 and 2222 and PINs that use numbers in obvious patterns on your dialing keypad (such as 2580) are not allowed.

Are there any restrictions on the Choose to Refuse service?

Yes. Some calls from international destinations can not be barred as we do not always receive the number from the overseas network that the call originated from. Also, some business customers use a 0800 number on their outgoing calls for possible use on Caller Display rather than the network number from the lines where the call originated. Choose to Refuse does not bar the 0800 number itself but uses the underlying network number.

Allows the automatic rejection of all calls where the caller has actively withheld their number. (This will not reject calls where the caller cannot send a calling line identity, for instance calls from international numbers).

You can manage these calling features online via BT Broadband Talk Self Care under the Incoming Calls section. You will need your BT Broadband Talk phone number and password to log in.

 Calling Features user guide (PDF doc, 163 KB)

Anonymous Call Rejection lets you stop calls from people who have withheld their number. If a caller withholds their number so that you can’t tell what number they called from, they won’t be able to get through to you. They’ll only get through if they reveal their number.

There is a monthly charge for this Calling Feature. Go to www.bt.com/callingfeatures to see how much it costs (click on "Home phone security features".

How do I use Anonymous Call Rejection?

To set up Anonymous Call Rejection, press the star (*) key on your telephone keypad, followed by the number 227 and then the hash (#) key.

To cancel, press hash, the number 227 and then the hash key again.

To check whether Anonynous Call Rejection is set up, press star, hash, the number and then the hash key once more.

What will happen if I withold my number when calling someone with Anonymous Call Rejection?

A message will notify the blocked caller that: 'the person you are calling is not accepting anonymous calls. Please redial without withholding your number'.

Can I release my number if I want to contact someone with Anonymous Call Rejection?

If you are prevented from contacting someone because they have Anonymous Call Rejection and you withheld your number on a call, then re-dial the number without using the ‘141’ prefix.

Are there any calls which Anonymous Call Rejection will be unable to block?

Anonymous Call Rejection will not block calls where the system cannot obtain the identity of the caller and the message 'Unavailable' is delivered. This would mean that the call is coming from a network that does not support Caller Display and Call Return type services. This could be from:

• Some non-compatible exchange types (UXD5)
• Another network provider e.g. Mercury and some mobile networks
• A caller using a Chargecard
• Calls where the message 'Payphone', 'International', or 'Operator' is delivered

What are the potential security and safety concerns with Anonymous Call Rejection?

Many public services such as the police force, the DSS, hospitals, fire brigades and public utilities will not be able to contact customers who use Anonymous Call Rejection.

This is due to the configuration of their private switchboards. This problem will also affect many UK businesses. Discussions are underway to find a solution for these problems.

 Calling Features user guide PDF doc, 163 KB

Note: All BT Broadband Talk calling features including 'Call barring' are managed via the BT Broadband Talk portal online. You must login to the BT Broadband Talk Portal. You will need your BT Broadband Talk number and the password to login.

How to setup call barring:

1. Click 'Change your settings'



 

2. Put a tick against the type of the calls needs to be barred. And then click 'Save changes'



 

3. A confirmation screen will appear. The changes normally take place immediately, however, in rare cases it might take up to 2 minutes.

How to Remove call barring:

1. Click 'Change your settings'



 

2. Remove the tick against the type of call it was barred against



 

3. And then click 'save changes'



 

4. A confirmation screen will appear. The changes normally take place immediately, however, in rare cases it might take up to 2 minutes.