Advice needed! Telephones!

Hi all, hoping someone may be able to help. We have our landline phone service with Virgin Media, and it is on a cable network. We have bought an old style telephone, the rotating dial type. It was sold as compatible with a cable phone, but we cannot get it to work, so don't think it is. (Didn't cost a lot, will sell on, not an issue). I now fancy a trim phone style handset, most are sold as compatible with standard or BT set ups but no mention of cable. can anyone help before I contact VM for advice? Thank you.