Nortel Headsets – Everything You Need to Know for Nortel Telephones

Headsets for Nortel Phones.
(also Northern Telecom & Meridian Phones)

Nortel is a leading telephone company and has done an excellent job integrating telephone headset usage into their standard Nortel/Meridian telephones and newer VoIP softphones.

Numerous headsets are compatible with Nortel telephones, but finding the correct amplifier or direct connect cable is the key to getting a headset to work properly with your Nortel phone.

The following guide will explain the compatible equipment you need, including many pictures to simplify the process of finding a Nortel headset for your application.

Last Updated –  May 2023

How to use our Headsets for Nortel Phones guide:

Selecting headsets for your Nortel phone has never been easier with our how to guide.  From first time buyers questions to long time headset users, this guide will provide a deeper understanding of exactly how your headset will work and what you need.

Most importantly…be sure to call if you have questions because it’s our support that sets us apart.  We’re Plantronics Certified Headset Experts ready to help before, during and after the sale!

 

Section 1: Nortel Compatibility Chart
Section 2: Understanding What’s Required for a Corded Headset Solution
Section 3: How Corded Headsets Work With Your Nortel Telephone
Section 4: Wireless Headset Options For Nortel Phones
Section 5: Remote Answer and Hang-up For Wireless Headsets

1- Nortel Headset Compatibility Chart

How to use this guide:

1) Find your phone model (Column 1)
2) Decide if you want a corded or wireless solution:

Corded:
QD (Quick Disconnect) headset solutions also require a cable or amp.
Visit Understanding Amplifiers & Cables

Wireless:
Adding an optional EHS cables or Lifter will allow for remote answer/hang-up

 Nortel Model: Poly
Corded		 Poly
Cable or Amp
(Use with H-Series)		 Poly
Wireless
Headsets		 Poly
EHS Cable/ Lifter
Nortel 1120e Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series APU-76
Nortel 1140e Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series
Bluetooth Headsets
 APU-76
Nortel 1150e Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series APU-76
Nortel 1210, 1220, 1230 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable 1
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series HL10 1
Nortel 2465, 2564, 2565 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series 2 HL10
Nortel 500 Series Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series 2 NONE
Nortel 7406 NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel 8540 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel 9617 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel ACD l (M2216) Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel ACD ll (M2216) Poly QD-Series 3 NONE NONE NONE
Nortel ACD Set: QSU1, 3, 7 NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel Agent Console Series NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel Bell Vista Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel C3060 NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel Companion NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel Computer Terminal NT4X73 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel Debut Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel DMS 100 Console NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel Harmony: 800FWE-01 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel i2001 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10 8
Nortel i2002 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10 8
Nortel i2004 Series Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10 8
Nortel i2052 NONE NONE Bluetooth Headsets 4 NONE
Nortel i733 NONE NONE Bluetooth Headsets 4 NONE
Nortel IP Softphone i2050 NONE NONE Poly Desk phone Series
Bluetooth Headsets 4
 NOTE
Nortel Jazz Series NONE NONE NONE NONE
Poly
Corded		 Poly
Cable or Amp
(Use with H-Series)		 Poly
Wireless
Headsets		 Poly
EHS Cable/ Lifter
Nortel M1009, M1109 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M1250, M2250 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series 2,5 NONE
Nortel M1309 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M2000 Series Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M2112, M2317, M2616 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M3901, M3902 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M3903\M3904 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel M3905 ACD Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel M4000 & M4020 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel M5006 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel M5008, M5009, M5112 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M5200 Series Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M5312 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M5316 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M5317 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10 6
Nortel M6310 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M63207 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M7100 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M7208 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M7300 Series Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M7900 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M8001, M8003 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M8009 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M8300 Series Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M8400 Series Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M8600 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M9009 & M9516 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M9216 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M9316 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel M9417 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Poly
Corded		 Poly
Cable or Amp
(Use with H-Series)		 Poly
Wireless
Headsets		 Poly
EHS Cable/ Lifter
Nortel Maestro Series Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel Meridian 1 Attendant PC NONE NONE Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel Norstar Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel NT DU 92 (i2004) Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10 8
Nortel Power Touch Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel Pro 189 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel QCN & QCW Series NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel QSFE & QSKE Series Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel QSK & QSQ Series Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series 2 HL10
Nortel QSU Consoles NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel Quick Touch 8001FWE-42 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel Rapport, Rapport Plus Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel Serv. Att. Console: NT4X09AG NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel Silhouette: 8003-FEW-42 NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel Smile Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series 2 HL10
Nortel T.O.P. Station NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel T7100 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel T7208, T7316 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel T7406 NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel Taurus Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel Vantage 12\24\48\48C & 8 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel Vantage Esprit/Plus & Modular Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel Venture Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series HL10
Nortel Vista 350 Poly QD-Series M22 Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel Vista/Powertouch 480 Poly QD-Series A10 Cable
or M22		 Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel Vista/Powertouch 480e Poly QD-Series A10 Cable Poly Desk phone Series NONE
Nortel Vista/Powertouch 480i Poly QD-Series A10 Cable NONE NONE
Nortel WLAN 2210 Wireless IP Handset NONE NONE NONE NONE
Nortel WLAN 2211 Wireless IP Handset NONE NONE NONE NONE

 

NOTE 1: There are two versions:  One does not have a headset jack and doesn’t support the A10 cable.  These phones sit at a high angle.  They do not have an adjustable stand.  If using the HL10 lifter, the phone may need to lay flat.  This may cause the display screen to not be visible.

NOTE 2: Carbon Phone – CS500 Series not compatible.

NOTE 3: Has headset port for supervisor monitoring and control.  Call tech support (800-544-4660 X5538) for more information.  Requires Northern Telecom headset power adapter (#A0367335) for headset use.

NOTE 4: Software updates may be necessary to work with PC application; visit the Plantronics software download page.

NOTE 5: To use a wireless headset you will need adapter PJ327 (#18709-01).  No lifter option available for remote answer/end of calls.

NOTE 6: There are several styles of model M5317, and some may not support a handset lifter.

NOTE 7:  The Nortel M6320 has dual headset jacks and according to the manual one headset is for listening only.
Dual Headset Sockets:  Either socket can be set to transmit and receive while the other headset is in receiving
mode only. Headset 1 is the socket nearest to the user i.e. towards the bottom of the set, as indicated by the led dot.

NOTE 8: Requires HL10 Accessory 72334-01

2 – Understanding What’s Required For A Corded Nortel Headset Solution.

To have a corded commercial grade Nortel headset solution you will need two items; the headset and either an amplifier or a direct-connect cable.  Headsets, amplifiers and direct connect cable all join together using a quick-disconnect connection.

 

Quick Disconnect

The first thing to understand about commercial grade Nortel headsets is the headset cable terminates in what the industry calls a “quick-disconnect” connection.  This connection allows you to leave your headset on at all times and quickly disconnect from the amplifier or direct connect cable when you need to walk away from your desk.

 

Amplifiers and Direct Connect Cables

To connect your headset to your Nortel telephone, you also need an amplifier or direct connect cable, depending on the model of your Nortel phone.  You can view your options in our Nortel Headset compatibility chart located on this page.   As you can see on the amplifier and cable, they terminate on one end with a modular clip, which will plug into your Nortel phone.  

Originally, an amplifier was required for most Nortel telephones when using headsets.  Nortel worked closely with Plantronics to engineer many of their phones to have the amplifier built into the Nortel telephone.  This eliminated the use of an amplifier and allowed a less expensive direct connect cable to be used with standard H-series headsets.  The only negative to using a direct connect cable is you lose your ability to control your outgoing voice volume.  An amplifier gives complete volume control for your speaker and microphone.

 

3 – How Corded Headsets Work With Your Nortel Telephone:

When using a corded headset on Nortel telephones, most of the older Nortel phones will use a headset and amplifier.  Nortel has worked closely with Plantronics and designed their newer phones with the amplifier built into the phone allowing a direct-connect cable and headset to be an option.  At one point, Plantronics made a series of headsets specifically for Nortel call a Polaris Headset or P-Series Headset.  These headsets used a modified version of the Plantronics H-Series headsets, but with a louder microphone and included a Polaris Direct-Connect cable.  This was the first time a headset and direct-connect cable solution was introduced into the industry.  Since then the P-Series has been replaced with the standard H-Series and A10 direct-connect cable.

 

Typical Setup Using Amplifier:

If using any H-Series headset and amplifier, the amplifier will plug into the handset port on your phone.  You will need to remove your handset for each call.  When finished with the call you will return the handset to its cradle to hang-up the call.  If you have a headset port, the standard amplifier is not compatible and will only work through the handset port.  You will have a wide variety of headsets to choose from including noise-canceling models for a loud environment and voice-tube models for a quieter environment.

For the latest models: Poly H-Series Headsets for Nortel Phones

 

 

Typical Setup Using Direct-Connect Cable:

If using a newer Nortel phone with a headset port, most likely you can use any H-series headset with a Nortel Direct-Connect cable.  The cable will plug into your headset port and you will simply press a ringing line to answer and the ‘headset button’ to disconnect the call.  The advantage of using a Direct-Connect cable versus an amplifier is cost.  The cable will be $28.50 versus $72 for an amplifier.  The disadvantage of using a Direct-Connect cable is it only works on compatible phones (See our compatibility chart above) and you can’t control your out-going voice volume.  If you’re soft-spoken, your caller will have a hard time hearing you.

 

4 – Wireless Headsets Options for Nortel Phones.

You have a wide range of wireless headsets to choose from for your Nortel phone.  You can chose between different styles and functionality.  A commercial grade wireless headset solution is purchased as a complete system (Base/Charger, Headset, A/C Power Adapter are included).  Optionally a Handset Lifter or Electronic Hookswitch Cable (EHS) will need to be purchased to answer and hang up calls remotely.  The base/charger controls compatibility, microphone volume, speaker volume, and also acts as the charger when your headset is not in use.  There are LED lights on the base to indicate power, charging and other features.

For the latest wireless models: Poly Wireless Headsets

5 – Remote Answer and Hang-Up For Wireless Headsets

Wireless units give you freedom, and adding a Handset Lifter or EHS cable allows greater productivity by allowing you to answer and hang up remotely.  Both will sense when your phone is ringing and generate beeps in your headset to alert you of a call.  If you choose to take the call, simply press the Call Control Button on your headset to answer the call.  Your phone answers the ringing line and you begin talking.  When finished you press the Call Control Button again to disconnect the call.  You will need to return to your phone to press the appropriate buttons to dial, transfer a call, or to perform any other phone functions.  Most phones will support the Handset Lifter which raises and lowers your telephone’s handset, simulating you answering a call.  The EHS electronically establishes calls on newer phones without the mechanical motor and physical movement of your handset, but otherwise accomplishes the same thing.  Having the ability to answer remotely greatly increases your productivity.  You can answer away from your desk and carry on conversations wherever you need to take them.  It also allows you to answer calls that would have normally gone to voice mail.  This saves you a tremendous amount of time playing phone tag with customers or co-workers.

 

For the latest models: Handset Lifters & EHS Cables

Headset FAQ for Nortel Phones:


Do you need a headset button programmed to operate a Nortel T7316E Telephone?

If you are connecting a corded headset with your Nortel T7316E, then yes, you would plug the headset into the headset jack and use your programmed “headset button” on your phone to answer and hang up. If you are connecting a wireless headset, then no. The wireless headset is designed to plug into a handset jack, not the headset jack, so the “headset button” is not used.