Using the star and pound key

[jc_30120]

I am using uverse voip with a security gate. I need to be able to use the star or pound key to control the gate. It is necessary to key in "**81#" for example. It accepts the "**" but the following key generates a beeping which prevents the gate circuit from decoding the command.

I have disabled all the voip accessories (i.e. voicemail, etc) to no avail.

Any ideas???

[BeeBeeSA ACE - Wizard]

To test and see if the "Touch Tones" are being generated call your cell or another person and dial the digits "**81#" as in your example, and see if you or the other party hear them.  If you/they do, try connecting a plain old corded telephone with a touch tone pad and try it with the gate and see what happens.  Some cordless phones generate a touch tone signal too short for the gate equipment to decode. 

[aviewer ACE - Wizard]

jc_30120 - You say you are using U-verse VOIP to dial a security gate. How do you do that? Once the call is completed the VOIP system should not react to the buttons.

Or, You are using the same phone connected in parallel with the U-verse VOIP to control the security gate??

You need a way to open the VOIP path when you want to control the gate. But, then you would not have power to generate the tone.

The gate must have some instructions on setting this up. I would think that you would have the same problem with any phone service.

[BeeBeeSA ACE - Wizard]

aviewer-----Most security gates have a pad at the gate and you dial a specific number for a tenant (as an example) such as 107 for that apt number.  It then dials the persons phone number in that unit, they answer and converse with the party at the gate, then if they want to let them in dial a "code" (**81#) in the OP's example.  It sounds like the gate is not recognizing the digits the user in the unit is dialing to open the gate to let the person in.  Some cordless phones will only send a pre timed tone duration no matter how long you hold the button down.  Others will transmit the tone as long as you hold down the button.  My vTech cordless will do that.

We run into this exact issue when we install business phone systems at apt management offices where they have a security gate.  We have to extend the "DTMF duration timer" in programming in order for the gate to work.

[JefferMC ACE - Wizard]

It may be that the RG, or the U-verse voice gear at the CO, intercepts the DTMF codes for * and # (or in combination with some digits) or recognizes certain combinations as commands to alter service and does not pass them through to the called party.

See http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB401850 for examples of codes processed by the U-verse voice service.