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. 

[Mark]

@Sgt_Bilko Sorry about that. I've just resent the message. Click on here and you'll be drected to the secure contact us form.

[Sgt_Bilko]

@Mark No worries, I had already sent an email with the code you mentioned in the subject line and received an automated reply earlier, so it's already with you. 

[robmar0se]

Not wishing to contradict the moderator,, but he needs to clear up whether this is a self install where BT Openreach only visits the cabinet to connect fibre to yr existing copper line.  There is often confusion over this.

Worth double checking, see if customer services is able to be explicit - if it is a home visit they need to ensure/confirm that someone is actually present, don't they?

[Sgt_Bilko]

I spoke with Vodafone again earlier on a different matter, but brought this up and once again I was assured that if it works with Sky ADSL it will work with Vodafone fibre, so no need to call out an installer. They then backtracked slightly saying they could offer mobile internet credit if the line doesn't go live that day due to install issues. 

I'm still not convinced it will be as good as it should be, since the faceplate looks pretty ancient and has an odd looking extension cable leading to the router connected via a microfilter. If problems occur, troubleshooting could become a real headache with the current setup. 

Ideally I think the master socket should be in the lounge behind the TV. It looks like his one is in the hallway where the phone has always been and was no doubt put there at a time when nobody had even imagined the internet. 

[okecokey]

Hi Sgt_Bilko would like to see photo of other socket in Dad's house & a better photo of that picture you've already pasted as that looks non BT (can't read the logo in lower righthand corner). In general wiring should not need changing but it is recommended to connect router to the Master socket and new microfilters are supplied with the router but a reasonable install extension socket often works without major issues.

[robmar0se]

NTE5 master sockets haven't changed very much, the picture below is a generic one.  These days BT put their own logo on.  They do go wrong on occasion but not often.  Behind the 2 screws is a test socket which one uses to determine internal faults.  Once installed you can run the BT wholesale speedtest to measure what MBPS you're getting.  Try first in the living room slave socket , if its above the minimum quoted by Vodafone then you ahve no basis to complain.  You can test it again on the master socket, or the test socket behind if concerned.  Always use an ethernet cable to test rather than wifi.

You can get the speedtest here:  http://www.speedtest.btwholesale.com/

http://www.speedtest.btwholesale.com/NTE5

[Sgt_Bilko]

Thanks @robmar0se I'll try to see if he can run that test, but I suspect I'll have to do it myself with an extended Ethernet cable, because his desktop computer is some distance away from the router. 

[robmar0se]

FYI While deasling with another issue I cam across an article which I think would be interesting to you in regard to self install or engineer install;   I don't know, but I don't think Vodafone consistently give new customers an explicit option?

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2013/11/bt-wholesale-broadband-checker-adds-detail-fttc-speeds...

Lower down it explains the differen ce between clean and impacted  VDSL (or in other words (engineer installed and self install) - maybe oversimplified but you get my meaning.....

[Sgt_Bilko]

@okecokey there is no socket in the lounge. Just a long cable with a mircrofilter that then connects to the router. The new freesat box has wifi apparently so it should be possible to keep the router in the hallway, though he preferred not to keep it in that room if possible. 

[okecokey]

Hi Sgt_Bilko understand now, thought you meant that the extension lead went to a second socket, looking at the photo it's unlikely that you can unplug the master socket faceplate but from what you say there is only one socket so no extension wiring to worry about. You can just try running tests, router plugged into the socket outlet & then at the end of the extension lead & seeing what results you get, if similar there's no need to change anything (other than if you want to tidy), certainly if you ask for wiring changes they will probably charge.