SOS calls not working on big button mobile

bernieobr

Hi. I recently bought an Alba Big Button phone from Argos for an elderly relative. I'm having trouble getting the emergency button to work properly so here's hoping someone can help. This emergency feature was one of the reasons the phone was bought in the first place for a 76 year old man living alone.

Basically the phone allows for 5 numbers to be entered into the SOS section and then when the user presses the SOS button the phone rings the first number in the list. If the first number is not answered then the phone should ring the second number and so on. My problem is that the SOS button will ring the first number (my mobile) but if I dont answer it then it does not go on to ring the second emergency number which is my house phone.

I have been back to Argos who in fairness have replaced the phone but the replacement is also not doing what its supposed to. Argos dont know why this is happening and I can understand that they are retailers and not phone specialists. I have also been into Meteor shop where I bought the sim card and credit but they dont know anything about it either.

This phone is basic and is geared towards someone who is not into technology but to be honest its not much use if an elderly man cannot use the SOS function. I find it very strange that no one seems to know much about how the emergency calling works.

Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you

ED E

Turn off your voicemail.

When voicemail engages that is the VM device (Phone, Phone Provider) answering the call. The big button has no way to know that this isnt a genuine pickup.


Really most people want their voicemail on so the feature isnt much use.

bernieobr

Thank you ED E. That makes sense although I dont have a facility for people to leave a message. I will ring eir mobile tomorrow and ask them to remove the message that says - person is not available, please try later. I suppose then that in order for the call to move onto the third emergency number I would also have to cancel the leave message facility on my house phone. I will try sort this tomorrow and post how I get on. Thanks again.

bernieobr

Just an update and a thank you too. I have sorted the problem with my mobile provider and it was just as ED E suggested - I had my voicemail cancelled qnd phone is working fine now. Thank you for taking the time to reply ED E.

ED E

No problem, glad you got it sorted.

Hope your relative never needs it outside of periodic tests.