Mobile Phone Connections - Or Lack of Them

Thank you everyone. I knew nothing about that wifi wossname. As for the VOIP - this is a new language!

I think that my daughter set up a Whatsapp connection so that she could talk to me from USA but it would not connect when she tried a few weeks ago.

I have printed off your responses and hope that my computer whizz kid can help me out.

By the way, Tanith, have tried 150 with EE - the line goes dead after a sentence. Or do they hang up? I have no idea of knowing!

MO - that was hugely helpful. TVM. I suppose I will now have to buy a generator or invest in some homing pigeons for when we have the inevitable power cut!!!

I agree with kittylester - turn on wifi calling on your mobile phone (you need to add your wifi password to your mobile).
There is also the assumption that there is no substitute for a landline. You have a router to provide your wifi, you could also have a landline, button-press handset installed to work with it. The handset will work like your old landline phone although the technology behind it is different (it is a VOIP phone - Voice over Internet Protocol).
Call clarity is good and you can have extensions around your house. The only difference is that it will not work in a power cut.
If I were you, I would set up wifi calling on your mobile and contact your mobile/wifi provider to discuss VoIP phone possibilities. It means you are not wholly dependent on your mobile at home.

Wifi calling is the way forward i think.

We are in a very poor reception area and O2 is by far the best around here.

Have you tried ringing EE on your smart phone by just ring 150 it will take you to customer services who will help you.

How is your internet connection? If its good and strong try using wi-fi calling on your smart phone. If you have WhatsApp use that for making calls.
You should try and master your smartphone, they aren't as intimidating as you think.
When I bought mine. I opened its settings and tried out everything. Its easy once you start using it to its full potential.
As for contacting BT or EE, good luck.