Why does my house phone sound like a fax?

[LuvOrlando]

Sometimes, right after we get a phonecall the phone will ring again and I'll pick up & hear what sounds like a fax machine? I have ADT and on the few occasions when the alarm was tripped the system would take over my phone lines to communicate with ADT, we also have cellular back-up. Is there something wrong with my system or is this just what happens? We've had ADT for at least 10 years now and I can't remember if it happened before the system or not. There was a time when my phone had a piggy back problem where someone else's calls would come over my line, I could hear everything they were saying and my number would show up instead of theirs on caller id. Anyone know who I should call, is this likely an ADT thing or just a phone line thing?

 

[tvguy]

Do you have DSL for your internet? Could be that too.

 

[doconeill]

The "other line" problem sounds like a signal crossover problem - that's for your line provider. I assume you have standard old copper POTS service, and not a VOIP-style service like though cable or FiOS.

The "computer noise" stuff like mentioned could be DSL - if you have it. If you have it, you are supposed to put filters in line with all of your telephones to filter out the DSL noise, as it runs in parallel with the telephone signal. It may also be necessary to filter for the ADT system as well.

If you don't have DSL, this could also be crossover noise, perhaps with a neighbor that does have DSL. Your provider would likely be able to tell by testing at the terminal to the house, and could switch you to another wire pair at the junction to see if it clears.

Heck...sometimes I've seen them fix things like this completely remotely...

 

[DisneyFun2011]

Sometimes, right after we get a phonecall the phone will ring again and I'll pick up & hear what sounds like a fax machine? I have ADT and on the few occasions when the alarm was tripped the system would take over my phone lines to communicate with ADT, we also have cellular back-up. Is there something wrong with my system or is this just what happens? We've had ADT for at least 10 years now and I can't remember if it happened before the system or not. There was a time when my phone had a piggy back problem where someone else's calls would come over my line, I could hear everything they were saying and my number would show up instead of theirs on caller id. Anyone know who I should call, is this likely an ADT thing or just a phone line thing?

Not sure, you can probably change the tone though via settings.