Master socket on wall

[Sgt_Bilko]

My father is currently with Sky and has an ADSL connection, but is due to start with a 38mbps line through Vodafone early next month. We completed the sign up process smoothly online and he is literally opposite the exchange box, so his connection should be excellent.

My only query regards the master socket on the wall, which has been used for his old ADSL line and must be many years old now. I first had fibre installed about 5 years ago and OpenReach installed a new faceplate, despite the house only being 5 years old. Last year I was having some trouble and when OpenReach came around it was exchanged for a new plate, which they said would reduce noise and improve performance. 

Nothing was said during the sign up process about an OpenReach visit and the line tests suggested he would achieve maximum speeds, so I wondered if this is not an issue or something that should be looked at. It took a long time to convince him he should give up Sky and go for Freesat with Netflix and Vodafone, so I want to be sure the broadband switch goes smoothly for him. 

[machare]

If the master socket is one that has a removable faceplate which reveals an internal socket, and there are extension sockets elsewhere then I would replace the faceplate with one that has a filter for the extension wiring and a second RJ11 socket for the router cable.  You can buy them on ebay e.g.  Alternatively there is the Solwise brand, and you would want the VDSL one

[Sgt_Bilko]

Thanks I'll forward him this information and see what he has there. It's an old house, so I'm guessing that whatever he has is out of date. I'm just a bit surprised there was no mention of this during the signup process or any question of having to change anything. I called Vodafone who ran a line check and they said we would simply have to plug in the router. 

This is the one OpenReach fitted for me last year and I think his is just a single point with some sort of plugin splitter. 

[machare]

Yes, there does not appear to be much guidance.  Using the filters in my links is important as it avoid problems caused by 'bridge taps' which is what the cable to an extension socket would be.

I fitted a complete new master socket myself (before I moved to Vodafone) though you are not supposed to do this.

[Sgt_Bilko]

From memory the one we originlly had was flat and split in two halves. When I took off one half to check the hidden master socket at one point there were dangling wires that didn't look very clever. At the time BT said a different faceplate was a requirement for fibre to work properly, so one was fitted on the install day and I'm surprised Vodafone isn't saying anything here. 

[Mark]

@Sgt_Bilko If we need to replace any equipment at your fathers address to assist his switch over, this willl be done during the engineers appointment.

[Sgt_Bilko]

OK thanks. When I called up and enquired I was told that no appointment would be needed and we would just have to plug in the router. This differs from my own experience when I moved from ADSL to fibre, which is why I've wanted to verify this. 

[Sgt_Bilko]

I've just received some photos from my father and it looks like he has a very Heath Robinson setup. I think the master socket is behind a cabinet in the hallway with an extension cable at the bottom that traces the edge of the skirtingboard and doorway to enter the lounge. This is an 80 year old house. 

From there, the cable goes behind the settee and eventually exits at a point from the wall behind the TV... The router is then connected via the microfilter to that cable coming out of the wall. 

I'm pretty sure this is not ideal for ADSl, let alone fibre and I'm hoping that somebody from Vodafone can look at the situation to see if somebody from Open Reach needs to to visit the property and fix anything. 

[Mark]

Thanks @robmar0se and @okecokey for your input on this, some great advice offered.

@Sgt_Bilko As advised there shouldn't be much of a problem with your dads equipment. If you'd like one of our Broadband team to call your father so we can make sure everything will be good to go when his router arrives, or help him set it up, send us his details by following the instructions in the private message I've sent.

[Sgt_Bilko]

Thanks @Mark. There isn't a live link in the private message you sent, however I have the direct email address from another issue, so I can contact them through that and give them a link to this forum thread. I planned on going over there the night before and setting it all up, then going over the next day to check everything for him. It took a long time to convince him he should give up Sky and move to Vodafone, so I want to make sure it all goes live smoothly on the day with no technical issues. 

My father is 76 now and like most people his age, he really struggles with anything technical related to computers, so I wanted to ask if my name can be added to his account as a technical contact to help resolve any issues he might have.