BT DECOR 500 User Manual

User Guide

BT DECOR 500

This product is intended for connection to analogue
public switched telephone networks and private
switchboards in the United Kingdom.

Please open this page for an
‘at a glance’ guide to your BT Decor 500

Please open this page for a further
‘at a glance’ guide to your BT Decor 500

1

At a glance

Volume button

Use to adjust the
volume during
handsfree operation.

BT Answer 1571 indicator light

Will flash when a message is left on
the BT Answer 1571 network service.

Handsfree button

Allows you to hold a
conversation over the
loudspeaker without
lifting the handset.

Secrecy button

Lets you talk to
someone in the
same room without
the person you are
calling hearing you.

Store button

Use to store numbers in the memory
and to change the ringer and pitch
volume.

(R)

Recall button

For use with a switchboard/PBX and
BT Calling Features. Please contact
your switchboard supplier for more
information. For more information on
BT’s Calling Features, please call
Freefone 0800 800 152.

Redial/Pause button

Redials the last number called. Also,
press to enter a pause when storing a
number in the memory.

Quickdial button

Allows you to dial up to ten numbers
stored in the Quickdial memory at the
touch of two buttons.

Microphone

Use to talk to your
caller in handsfree
mode and for
recording your own
outgoing message
and memos.

Telephone buttons

BT Decor 500

Ans

Vol

on off

A

B

C

23

1

K

J

G

H

L

I

456

Q

U

T

P

V

R

S

78

0

7

5

1

1

Vol

Handsfree



kip

S

Stop

Skip



Messages

Del

Play

D

E

F

Quickdial

M

N

O

Store

W

X

Y

Z

9

e

S

R

Redial

e

r

c

c

y

S

Mic

1

23

456

78

0

9

Vol

Handsfree

S

S

e

c

r

e

c

y

1

5

7

1

A

B

C

G

H

I

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

J

K

L

M

N

O

D

E

F

Redial

Quickdial

Store

R

Mic

Play

Messages

Del

Ans

on off

Vol



Skip

S

kip



Stop

BT Decor 500

BT Answer 1571 indicator light (LED

)

Indicates the status of the telephone:

Light flashes quickly: When the phone rings.

When you have messages left on
BT Answer 1571 network service.

Light flashes slowly: When the phone is on hold. during

secrecy mode.
When storing numbers.

Light stays constantly lit: When handsfree is in use.

Message indicator light (LED

)

Light constantly on: Answering machine is switched on.

When you have no messages.

Light flashes: When you have messages.

During playback of messages and memos.

While you are recording your outgoing
message or a memo.

When the memory is full.

Answer on/off
button

Switches the
answering machine
on and off.

Volume buttons

Use to adjust the
answering machine
volume.

Delete button

Deletes recorded
messages and
memos.

Play button

Lets you play
and pause your
messages.

Stop button

To stop message
playback.

Skip forward
button

Lets you skip
forwards through
your messages and
memos.

Message
indicator light

When lit answering
machine is on and
flashes when new
messages are left.

Skip backward/
Memo button

Lets you skip
backwards through
your messages and
memos.

Also lets you record
memo messages.

2

Answering Machine buttons

3

In this guide

At a glance 1-2

Introduction 4

Unpacking your Decor 500 4
For your records 4
Safety information 4

Setting up 5

Using the telephone 8

Making and receiving calls 8
Last number redial 8
Secrecy 8
Music on hold 9
Handsfree talking 9
10 number Quickdial memory 11
BT Answer 1571 voice mail

indication 12

Using the answering
machine 14

Switch on/off 14
Outgoing messages 15
Answer delay 17
Memos 17
Receiving messages 18
Playing your messages

and memos 18
Deleting messages 19
Call screening/Call intercept 20
Remote access 20

Help 23

General information 25

Guarantee 25
Technical information 26
Switchboard compatibility 26

Wall mounting 27

Index 28

There is a detailed Index at the back of this user guide, please see page 28.

Hints and tips boxes

In this user guide, we’ve included
helpful tips and important notes.
They are shown in boxes like this.

Unpacking your Decor 500

For your records

For guarantee purposes, proof of
purchase is required, so please keep
your receipt.

Date of purchase:

Place of purchase:

Serial number

(on the underside of the base unit):

Purchase price:

4

Introduction

Your Decor 500 has been designed for ease of use and made to the
high standards set by BT. You can expect your Decor 500 to give
you many years of trouble-free service.

Please read the instructions carefully
before use and keep this User Guide
for future reference.

Safety information

General

Simply clean your Decor 500 with a damp (not
wet) cloth, or an anti-static wipe.

Never use household polish as this may
damage the product.

Never use a dry cloth as this may cause static
shock.

Do not open the Decor 500. This could
expose you to high voltages or other risks.

Environmental

Do not expose to direct sunlight.

We recommend that you do not place
the product on antique/veneered wood to
avoid damage.

Do not stand your product on carpets or other
surfaces which generate fibres, or place it in
locations preventing free flow of air over its
surfaces.

Do not submerge any part of your product in
water and do not use it in damp or humid
conditions, such as in bathrooms.

Do not expose your product to fire, explosive
or other hazardous conditions.

If anything is missing, please contact your
place of purchase immediately.

Decor 500 telephone

Screws, wall plugs and
plinth (already attached)
for wall-mounting.

One power supply
(Item code 010198)

One telephone line cord



Skip

BT Decor 500

top

S

Skip



Messages

Ans

Vol

on off

Del

Play

A

D

B

E

1

456

78

Vol

F

C

Quickdial

23

K

J

G

H

M

N

L

O

I

Store

Q

U

T

P

W

X

V

R

Y

S

Z

R

9

Redial

0

7

1

5

1

e

r

c

c

y

e

Mic

S

S

Handsfree

5

Setting up

Plan the location of your
Decor 500

Situate your Decor 500 close enough to
a phone socket and mains power socket
so that both cords will reach.

1 Plug the power cord into

the socket on the base

For desk mounting, please remove the
wall-mounting plinth.

To prevent the cord being pulled out
accidentally, route the power cord
through the groove as shown below.

2 Plug the adaptor into a

mains power socket and
switch on

Your Decor 500 will announce, ‘Answer
on. Calls will be answered after 6 rings’

and the message indicator light will
come on.

3 Plug the telephone line

cord into the socket on
the base of the phone

Route the line cord through the groove
as shown below.

Power

cord

Telephone

line cord

Your answering machine
informs you of the day and
time each message was
recorded, so it is important
that you set the correct day
and time. Your Decor 500
uses the 12 hour clock.

In the event of a power failure
you will need to re-set the day
and time.

Press and hold the STOP
button. The current day
setting will be announced.

Release the STOP button.

Press and release the



SKIP

or SKIPbutton to move
backwards and forwards
through the days of the week.

When the correct day is
announced, press and release
the STOP button.

The day you have set is
announced and then the current
hour setting.

6

4 Plug the telephone line

cord into the telephone
wall socket

5 Set the day and time

Stop

Stop



Skip

Skip



Stop



Skip

Skip



Stop

Stop



Skip

Skip



Stop

Stop

Press and release the SKIP
or SKIPbutton to select the
correct hour.

When the correct hour is
announced, press and release
the STOP button.

The hour you have set is
announced and then the
current minute setting.

Press and release the



SKIP

or SKIPbutton to select the
correct minute.

When the correct minute is
announced, press and release
the STOP button.

Your Decor 500 will announce
the day and time you have set.

Note

In the event of a power failure all
the telephone features will still work,
except for storing numbers in the
Quickdial memory and setting the
ringer volume and pitch.

All answering machine messages and
stored Quickdial memory numbers
will be saved.

7

Helpline

If you have any problems setting up
your Decor 500, please call the
Helpline on 0870 605 8047.

(Open 9am-5.30pm, Monday-Friday
and 9.30am-2.30pm Saturday).

Your Decor 500 is now ready for use.

To switch secrecy on and off

During a call press and release
the SECRECY button.

The call indicator light will
flash slowly to indicate that
secrecy is on.

Your caller will be put on hold.
If you have music on hold
switched on, both you and your
caller will hear music when
secrecy is pressed.

8

Using the telephone

To make a call

Lift the handset and wait for
the dial tone.

Dial the telephone number.

To end a call

Replace the handset.

To receive a call

When the telephone rings the
call indicator light will flash
quickly to indicate that there

is an incoming call. Simply
pick up the handset to answer
the call.

To redial the last number
called

Lift the handset.

Press the REDIAL button. The
last number called is dialled.

A redial number can be no
longer than 32 digits.

Secrecy

When on a call you can talk to someone
in the same room without your caller
hearing

Making and receiving calls

Last number redial

Redial

S

S

e

c

r

e

c

y

To receive a call
in handsfree mode

To switch music on hold
on and off

Please note that the phone
must be on the hook first.

To switch on:

Press the STORE button.

Press the SECRECY button.

Press the 2 button.

Press the STORE button.

To switch off:

Press the STORE button.

Press the SECRECY button.

Press the 1 button.

Press the STORE button.

Press the HANDSFREE button
when the phone rings.

Handsfree

9

You can now talk to someone
in the same room without your
caller hearing.

Press and release the
SECRECY button to return to
your caller.

Note

When secrecy is in use and another
telephone connected to the same line
is picked up, secrecy is cancelled and
the call will be transferred to that
telephone.

To make a handsfree call

Press the HANDSFREE button.

The call indicator light will
come on and you will hear the
dial tone.

Dial the telephone number.

You can now talk to your caller
through the microphone, or
pick up the handset to speak
to your caller privately.

Handsfree talking

The handsfree feature allows you to
use the phone without picking up the
handset, giving you more freedom
when you are speaking on the phone.
You can hear the caller's voice through
the in-built speaker.

Music on hold

If you put a call on hold your caller will
hear music.

S

S

e

c

r

e

c

y

S

S

e

c

r

e

c

y

S

S

e

c

r

e

c

y

Handsfree

Store

Store

2

A

B

C

Store

Store

1

10

There are 3 volume settings
to choose from: HIGH, LOW
or OFF. The default setting is
HIGH.

Ensure the handset is on the
cradle.

Press the STORE button. The
call indicator light will flash.

Press the

✱

button.

Press either, 1 for HIGH, 2 for
LOW or 3 for OFF.

Press the STORE button.

You will hear a confirmation
tone.

(If the ringer is set to OFF,
the call indicator light will still
flash to indicate someone is
calling you).

To set the ringer volume

The ringer pitch can be set to:
HIGH, MID or LOW.
The default setting is HIGH.

Ensure the handset is on the
cradle.

Press the STORE button. The
call indicator light will flash.

Press the

#

button.

To set the ringer pitch

Store

Store

1

2

A

B

C

3

D

E

F

Store

Note

You can swap between using the
handset and handsfree during a call.

If using the handset, press the
HANDSFREE button and replace the
handset to talk in handsfree mode.

If using handsfree mode, lift the handset
to talk privately to your caller and the
handsfree mode will be switched off.

To change the volume when
using handsfree

You can adjust the speaker
volume when you are on a
handsfree call.

Press the VOL

–

+

button.

There are 8 levels to choose
from. It is pre-set to the
mid-range level.

Press and release the

VOL

–

+

button to move
up through the levels. When
the maximum level is reached
you will return to the lowest
level.

Note

You can only change the volume of
a call when using handsfree.

Vol

Vol

11

To dial a number in the
Quickdial memory

Lift the handset and wait for
the dial tone.

Press the QUICKDIAL button.

Press the memory location
number between 0 and 9
under which the number is
stored.

The number is dialled
automatically.

Note

You can mix manual and memory
dialling as required, for example, you
can dial the area code 020 8 304
from the memory and then complete
the number manually.

Quickdial

Press either, 1 for HIGH, 2 for
MID or 3 for LOW.

Press the STORE button.

You will hear a confirmation
tone.

10 Number Quickdial
memory

You can store 10 of your most
frequently used telephone numbers in
the Quickdial memory. Please note
that numbers can be no longer than 20
digits long.

To store a number in the
Quickdial memory

Ensure the handset is on the
cradle.

Press the STORE button. The
call indicator light will flash.

Press the memory location
number between 0 and 9
under which you want to store
the number.

Enter the telephone number
you want to store, including
the area code if applicable.

Store

1

2

A

B

C

3

D

E

F

Store

Store

Note

To enter a pause in a stored
number, press the button in
the place where you want to enter
the pause.

Redial

Press the STORE button.

You will hear a confirmation
tone.

12

To delete a number in the
Quickdial memory

Ensure the handset is on the
cradle.

Press the STORE button. The
call indicator light will flash.

Press the memory location
number between 0 and 9
under which you have stored
the number you wish to delete.

Press the STORE button.

You will hear a confirmation
tone.

Alternatively, any existing
number stored in the
Quickdial memory can be
overwritten by entering a new
number under the same
memory location number.
Simply follow the instructions
under, ‘To store a number in
the Quickdial memory’, as
previously shown.

Store

Store

BT Answer 1571 voice
mail indication

If you have subscribed to BT’s BT
Answer 1571 or Call Minder, your
Decor 500 will indicate when you have
received a voice message by the
message waiting indicator light
flashing.

BT Answer 1571 and Call Minder are
invisible answer machines located at
your local exchange which will take
messages when you are out, engaged
on another call or on the Internet.

To enable your Decor 500 to let you
know you have messages you must first
subscribe to a BT messaging service.

BT Answer 1571 is a basic answering
service and is completely free of
charge. To activate the service, dial
Freefone 0800 003 800.

For information on Call Minder, call BT
on Freefone 0800 800 150. This is a
chargeable Service.

Note

The message indicator light will flash
until you have listened to all of your
voice messages.

13

IMPORTANT

After an incoming call, or after lifting
the handset, your Decor 500 will
check the line for any messages. You

will experience about a 1 minute
delay before the message waiting
indicator light flashes if messages
have been left.

Note

The message waiting indicator is
activated by a stuttered dial tone
which you can hear when you pick
up your phone. BT Calling Features,
such as Call Diversion and Call
Barring use a stuttered dial tone so
therefore will cause the message
waiting indicator to flash even if no
messages have been left.

14

Using the answering machine

To switch the answering
machine on and off

Your Decor 500 is pre-set to
Answer On.

Press the ANS ON/OFF button
to switch the answering
machine off. You will hear,
‘Answer off’, and the message
light will turn off. Your Decor
500 will now not be able to
record answering machine
messages.

Press the ANS ON/OFF button
to switch the answering
machine on. You will hear,
‘Answer on’, and your current
outgoing message is
announced. The message light
will come on and your Decor
500 will now be able to record
answering machine messages.

To adjust the base unit
loudspeaker volume

The loudspeaker volume
ranges from 0-9 plus H, where
0 is off and H is the maximum
level. The default loudspeaker
volume is 5.

Press the VOL + button on the
base to increase the volume.

Press the VOL – button on the
base to decrease the volume.

If you adjust the loudspeaker
volume when the answering
machine is not being used, a
beep sounds at each press.
When the volume reaches its
highest or lowest level two
beeps will sound.

Ans

on off

Ans

on off

Vol

Vol

Note

If your answering machine is
switched off, it will answer after
20 rings.

15

Outgoing messages

The outgoing message is the message
your caller hears when your Decor 500
answers a call.

Your Decor 500 comes with 2
pre-recorded outgoing messages to
choose from as follows:

Answer and record allows callers to
leave a message, whilst Answer Only
does not.

The default outgoing message is
Answer and Record.

Pre-recorded outgoing messages:

Answer and Record

‘Hello, your call cannot be taken at the
moment, so please leave your message
after the tone.’

Answer Only

‘Hello, your call cannot be taken at the
moment and you cannot leave a message,
so please call later.’

You can use either of these outgoing
messages or you may wish to record
your own. You can record your own
outgoing message up to 3 minutes long.
See opposite, ‘To record your own

outgoing message’.

To select or record your own
Answer and Record outgoing
message

Press and hold the ANS
ON/OFF button. Your Decor

500 will announce, ‘Please select
outgoing message’.

To select Answer and Record:

Press the



SKIP button.

Your selected outgoing
message will be announced.

Your Decor 500 will then invite
you to record your own
outgoing message.

You can choose to record
your own outgoing message
or just leave your Decor 500
set to its pre-recorded
outgoing message.

To record your own Answer
and Record outgoing message:

Press and hold down the



SKIP button.

You will hear, “Please speak

after the tone. To end recording,
release the button.”

After the tone, speak your
outgoing message clearly
about 15–30cm from the
microphone. The message
light will flash during
recording.

Ans

on off



Skip

Skip



Stop



Skip

Skip



Stop

16

Press and hold the ANS
ON/OFF button your Decor

500 will announce, “Please
select outgoing message”.

To select Answer only:

Press the SKIP



button.

Your selected outgoing
message will be announced.

Your Decor 500 will then invite
you to record your outgoing
message.

You can choose to record your
own outgoing message or just
leave your Decor 500 set to its
pre-recorded outgoing
message.

To record your own Answer
Only outgoing message:

Press and hold down the

SKIP



button.

Your Decor 500 will announce,

‘Please speak after the tone. To
end recording, release the button’.

To delete your own outgoing
message and re-instate the
pre-recorded message

Press and hold the ANS
ON/OFF button. Your Decor

500 will announce, ‘Please select
outgoing message’.

To select Answer and Record:

Press the



SKIP button.

To select Answer Only:

Press the SKIP



button.

While the outgoing message
is being played back, press the
DEL button. You will hear a
beep and then the pre­recorded outgoing message
will be played back to you.



Skip

Skip



Stop



Skip

Skip



Stop

Ans

on off



Skip

Skip



Stop



Skip

Skip



Stop

Del

Release the SKIP button to
end recording. Your Decor 500
will announce “Your outgoing
message is…” and will play
your message back to you.



Skip

Skip



Stop

To select or record
your own Answer only
outgoing message

After the tone, speak your
outgoing message clearly about
15-30 cm from the microphone.
The message light will flash
during recording.

Release the SKIP



button to
end recording. Your Decor 500
will announce, ‘Your outgoing
message is...’ and will play your
message back to you.

Ans

on off



Skip

Skip



Stop

17

To check the answer delay
setting

Press the SKIPbutton. The
current answer delay setting
will be announced.

To change the answer delay
setting

Press and hold down the

SKIPbutton to skip through

the answer delay settings.

Release the button when you
hear the setting you want.

The new answer delay setting
will be announced.

Memos

You can use your Decor 500 to record
memos that can be played back by
another user. Memos are stored on the
answering machine like caller’s
messages and can be any length up to
the maximum recording time available
(12 minutes). Memos can be played
back in the same way as answering
machine messages, see page 18,

‘To playback messages and memos’.

Press and hold down the



SKIP button. Your Decor 500

will announce, ‘Please speak

after the tone. To end recording,
release the button’.

Speak your memo. The message
light will flash during recording.

To end recording, release the



SKIP button.

To record a memo



Skip

Skip



Stop



Skip

Skip



Stop



Skip

Skip



Stop



Skip

Skip



Stop

Answer delay

Answer delay sets the number of times
your Decor 500 will ring before the
answering machine picks up your call
and starts playing the outgoing
message. The default setting is 6 rings.

You can change this setting to between
2 and 9 rings or time saver.

Time Saver

The time saver feature is useful if you
are out and want to ring in and check if
you have received any new messages.

If your answering machine is set to
time saver you can check whether you
have new messages or not before your
answering machine actually answers
your call. If you have new messages
your answering machine will answer
after 2 rings, if you do not have any
new messages, it will not answer until
6 rings. This enables you to hang up
before you are connected, saving you
time and the cost of the call.

18

To play back messages and
memos

Press the PLAY button. Your
Decor 500 will announce how
many messages you have.

Your messages and memos
will be played back in the
order they were received and
the day and time they were
recorded will be announced.

Both new and old messages
will be played.

Whilst messages are being
played back:

To pause playback:

Press the PLAY/PAUSE button
to pause message playback.

Press the PLAY/PAUSE button
to resume playback.

Playing your messages
and memos

When you have new messages the
message light will flash.

Play

Play

Play

Receiving messages

In order to receive messages your
Decor 500 answering machine should be:

Switched ON

(See, ‘To switch the answering machine
on and off’, on page 14).

Set to Answer and Record

(See, ‘To select your outgoing message’,
on page 15).

Callers can leave a message of up to
3 minutes long. However, your Decor
500 will terminate a call under certain
conditions:

• If a caller pauses for more than
4 seconds when leaving a message.

• If the memory becomes full during
recording.

• Memory full.
If the answering machine memory
becomes full the message light will
flash.
Your Decor 500 will not record any
more answering machine messages
and you will not be able to record
a new outgoing message or record
memos.

To clear space in the memory you
will need to delete some or all of your
messages. See page 19, ‘To delete

individual messages’.

19

During message playback:

Press the DEL button while
the message is being played.

You will hear,

‘

Message deleted’,

and the next message will be
played.

To delete individual messages

Wait until playback of all
messages has finished and you
hear, ‘End of messages. To delete
all messages, press delete’.
An eight second countdown
will then begin. Press the DEL
button during the 8 second
countdown. Your Decor 500
will announce, ‘All messages
deleted’.

To delete all messages



Skip

Skip



Stop



Skip

Skip



Stop

Stop

Del

Del

To skip forwards through
messages:

Press the SKIP



button to
skip forwards to the start of
the next message.

To skip backwards through
messages:

Press the



SKIP button once
to skip back to the start of the
current message.

Press the



SKIP button twice
to skip back to the previous
message.

To stop message playback:

Press the STOP button.

When you reach the last
message you will hear,

‘

End of

messages. To delete all messages,
press delete’. A silent eight

second countdown will then
begin.

If you wish to delete all your
messages, press the DEL button
within the 8 second countdown.
Your Decor 500 will announce,
‘All messages deleted’.

If you do not want to delete
all your messages do not press
the DEL button, simply let the
countdown continue. A beep
will sound to indicate that the
countdown has ended.



Skip

Skip



Stop

Deleting messages

Note

You have 8 seconds to cancel the delete
messages by either lifting the handset
or pressing the button. If this is
done then no messages will be deleted.

Handsfree

Del

Del

20

Press the DEL button.

Your Decor 500 will announce
the current security code.

To check your security code

Press and hold down the DEL
button. You will hear, ‘Security

code setting’.

Release the DEL button. You

will hear, ‘First digit’.

Use the



SKIP or SKIP



buttons to move up and down
through the digits. Each
number is announced as you
skip through.

When you hear the number
you want, press the DEL button.

You will then hear, ‘Second
digit’. Choose the second digit
using the same procedure and
repeat again for the third.

When you have set all three
digits, your new security code
will be announced.

To change your security code

Remote access

Remote access allows you to switch
your answering machine on and off and
listen to your messages from any
Touchtone telephone.

To protect your privacy, messages can
only be accessed by entering a 3-digit
security code. The pre-set code is 000.
If you change your security code it is
advisable to make a note of it
somewhere safe.

Del

Del

Del



Skip

Skip



Stop

Del

Call screening/
Call intercept

You can let your Decor 500 answer an
incoming call and hear your caller’s voice
through the loudspeaker. You can then
decide whether to take the call or not.

To screen calls, make sure that the
answering machine is switched on and
ensure that the loudspeaker volume is
set to an audible level.

When the phone rings, let the
answering machine take the call and
listen to your caller start to leave a
message.

If you decide you want to speak to the
caller in person, pick up the handset.
Your Decor 500 will automatically stop
recording and you can speak to your
caller as normal.

21

Note

If you enter the wrong security code
you will hear, ‘Incorrect security code,
please enter your security code’. If you
enter the wrong code again you will
hear, ‘Incorrect security code, thank
you for calling’ and the line will be
disconnected.

Operating your Decor 500
remotely

To operate your Decor 500
remotely

Call your Decor 500 phone
number.

After listening to the outgoing
message press the

✱

button
on the phone you are using.
You will hear, ‘Please enter your
security code’. You have 8
seconds to begin entering your
code. If you do not, you will
hear, ‘Thank you for calling’ and
the line will be disconnected.

Enter your security code.

You will hear ‘You have ‘x’ new
messages’ and the messages
are played, or ‘You have no
new messages’. At the end of
your messages your Decor 500
announces ‘To hear the main
menu press 1’.

You now have 8 seconds to
enter the main menu before
your Decor 500 hangs up.

Follow the instructions in the
main menu to control your
answering machine (see ‘Remote
access menu’, page 22).

To hear the main menu.

To play all messages.

To play new messages.

During playback:

To skip back during messages.

To delete messages.

To skip forward during
messages.

To set answer on or off.

To hear the outgoing
message menu.

To play outgoing
message.

To record Answer and
Record.

To record Answer only
outgoing message.

To select Answer and
Record outgoing
message.

To select Answer only
outgoing message.

To set a new security code.

To set the day and time.

22

To switch on your answering
machine from another phone

This is useful if you forgot to
turn on your answering machine
before going out.

Ring your Decor 500 phone
number. After 20 rings your
machine will then answer the
call. You can then access your
Decor 500 as described on the
previous page. To switch your
answering machine on, press
the 7 button from the remote
main menu.

7

P

Q

R

S

Note

You can use the convenient Remote
Access card, supplied with this phone.

5

J

K

L

6

M

N

O

Remote access menu

1

2

A

B

C

3

D

E

F

4

G

H

I

5

J

K

L

6

M

N

O

7

P

Q

R

S

8

T

U

V

2

A

B

C

3

D

E

F

4

G

H

I

9

W

X

Y

Z

0

23

Help

If you have any problems using your Decor 500 this section gives
you the most common solutions.

No dialling tone

Check that the telephone line cord is
correctly connected to the wall socket
and the phone.

The phone does not ring

Check that the ringer volume is not
switched to off, see page 10.

Check that the telephone line cord is
correctly connected to the wall socket
and the phone.

Are there too many other phones
connected to the same line? See page 26,
‘How many telephones can you have?’

Outgoing message does not record

Speak clearly, close enough (15-30cm)
to the microphone when recording
your message.

Check that the memory is not full.

Incoming messages do not record

Check that the answering machine is
switched ON, see page 14.

Check that the answering machine is
set to Answer and Record, see page 15,

‘To select or record your own Answer
and Record outgoing message’.

Check that the memory is not full.
You may need to delete some messages,
see page 19.

Messages not deleted

Make sure you do not lift the handset
or press the handsfree button during
the 8 second countdown.

Any action during the 8 seconds will
save the deleted messages.

You cannot hear your messages
during playback

The loudspeaker may be set too
low. Increase the volume using the

button.

Vol

24

You have forgotten your remote
access security code

Press the DEL button. The current
security code will be announced.

Your Decor 500 cannot be operated
remotely from another phone

Check that the phone you are using is a
Touchtone phone or is set to tone dialling.

Check that you are using the correct
security code. See above to check
your code.

When entering your code, make sure
you allow enough time, at least 2
seconds, between digits for your Decor
500 to recognise each one.

Some cordless telephones and
payphones are not compatible.

Helpline

If you are still having difficulties
using your Decor 500, please contact
the Helpline on 0870 605 8047.

(Open 9am-5.30pm, Monday-Friday
and 9.30am-2.30pm Saturday).

25

General information

Guarantee

Subject to the terms listed below the
guarantee will provide for the repair of,
or at BT’s or its agent’s discretion the
option to replace the Decor 500, or any
component thereof, which is identified
as faulty or below standard, or as a
result of inferior workmanship or
materials. Products over 28 days old
from the date of purchase may be
replaced with a refurbished or
repaired product.

The conditions of this guarantee are:

• The guarantee shall only apply to
defects that occur within 12 months
from the date of purchase, provided
that the equipment is sent to the
repair address within this period.

• This guarantee does not cover any
faults or defects caused by accidents,
misuse, fair wear and tear, neglect,
tampering with the equipment, or any
attempt at adjustment or repair other
than approved agents.

• This guarantee does not affect your
statutory rights.

Within the 12 month guarantee
period:

If you experience a problem with your
Decor 500 please read the Help section
on page 23 or call the Helpline on
0870 605 8047. Calls are charged at
National rates.

In the unlikely event of a defect
occurring, please return the product,
with the receipt, to the place of purchase.

Outside of the 12 month guarantee
period:

If your product needs repair after the
guarantee period has ended, the repair
must meet the approval requirements
for connection to the telephone
network. We recommend that you call
the Helpline on 0870 605 8047 for
information on our recommended
repair agents.

If you have to return your
Decor 500

Pack the unit securely, preferably in the
original packaging. All parts must be
returned including the mains power
adaptor. We cannot take responsibility
for goods damaged in transit.

26

Technical information

How many telephones can you have?

All items of telephone equipment have
a Ringer Equivalence Number (REN),
which is used to calculate the number
of items which may be connected to
any one telephone line. Your Decor 500
has a REN of 1. A total REN of 4 is
allowed, if the total REN of 4 is
exceeded, the telephones may not ring.
With different telephone types there is
no guarantee of ringing, even when the
REN is less than 4.

Switchboard compatibility

This product is intended for use within
the UK for connection to the public
telephone network and compatible
switchboards, which support tone
dialling and time break recall. If in doubt
please consult your service provider.

27

Wall mounting

1. Position the cables through the

wall mounting plinth as shown in
the diagram.

2. Secure the wall mounting plinth

into the holes on the base of the
phone.

3. Swing down the wall mounting

plinth into the top hole.

4. Drill 2 holes, 25mm deep using

a 3mm drill, for the screws using
the template. Ensure that you do
not drill into any hidden wiring or
pipes. Insert the wall plugs
provided and then insert a screw
into each hole. Leave 2-3mm
between the head of the screw
and the wall.

5. Position the product onto the

screws.

6. Drop down to secure.

Handset hook

Keeps the handset in place when the
Decor 500 is wall mounted.

Revolve the handset catch on the base
unit. The handset will now be able to
rest on the hook when wall-mounted.

4

5

28

Index

Answering machine 14

answer delay 17
call screening/intercept 20
deleting messages 19
memo 17
on/off 14
outgoing message 15
playback 18
receiving messages 18
remote access 20
record outgoing message 15-16
skip forward/backward 19
time/day set 6

At a glance 1

BT Answer 1571 12

Call screening/intercept 20

Calls

end 8
handsfree 9
make 8
receive 8
redial 8
secrecy 8

Day

set 6

Delete

entry from quickdial memory 12
messages 19
outgoing message 16

Guarantee 25

Handset hook 27

Handsfree talking 9
Help 23
Helpline 7

Loudspeaker volume 14
Make a call 8

Memo 17
Music on hold 9

On/off

answering machine 14
music on hold 9
secrecy 8

Pause 11

Playback messages 18
Pre-recorded outgoing message 15

Quickdial memory 11

delete a number 12
dial a number 11
enter a pause 11
store a number 11

Receive a call 8

Record

memo 17

own outgoing message 15-16
Redial 8
Remote access 20
Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) 26
Ringer pitch 10
Ringer volume 10

29

Safety information 4

Secrecy 8
Security code 20
Setting up 5
Skip forward/backward 19
Switchboard compatibility 26

Technical information 26

Telephone line cord 5
Time

set 6

Voice mail indication 12

Volume

handsfree 10
loudspeaker volume 14
ringer 10

Wall mounting 27

R&TTE Directive

This product is intended for use within the UK
for connection to the public telephone network
and compatible switchboards.

This equipment complies with the essential
requirements for the Radio Equipment and
Telecommunications Terminal Equipment
Directive (1999/5/EC).

Declaration of Conformance

Hereby, Suncorp Technologies, declares that
this Decor 500 is in compliance with the
essential requirements and other relevant
provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.

The Declaration of Conformance for the
Decor 500 is published on the web site:

http://www.suncorptech.com/bt

Visit us at www.bt.com

Offices worldwide

The telecommunications services described in this publication
are subject to availability and may be modified from time to time.
Services and equipment are provided subject to British
Telecommunications plc’s respective standard conditions of
contract. Nothing in this publication forms any part of any contract.

© British Telecommunications plc 2003.
Registered Office: 81 Newgate Street, London EC1A 7AJ.
Registered in England No. 1800000.
BT Decor 500 (07/03) 3
Designed and produced by The Art & Design Partnership Ltd.
Printed in China