Last week my SIL got BT internet. In the hall there is a BT Openreach socket, and beside it is a blanking plate the same size as a BT phone socket. The BT router, Mk4 version B, didn't work in this socket, as I thought it wouldn't. A phone, however, does, but drops out an internet signal to the router now located on a BT socket in the kitchen. When the phone is unconnected from the Openreach socket the router works OK. That was until tonight when it dropped out. What exactly is an Openreach socket for?

Secondly, she has a Galaxy s3 mini, which running a BT internet app has trouble connecting to the router.

Any answers will be gratefully accepted.

Thanks

Is the hall socket an extension of the kitchen socket or vice versa - doesn't really matter which way round it is.

If you plug a phone or any other device directly into a socket sharing the line with a broadband connection then it can knacker the broadband connection. Everything that shares a line with a broadband connection must be filtered. in fact the only device that need not be filtered is the broadband router/modem.

So if you did not use a filter on the hall socket then it is entirely likely it killed the broadband. There are master sockets you can get with the filter circuits built in which also filter any extension wiring. That does mean you don't need individual filters on the extension sockets. But I don't think Openreach (who own and maintain the network) fit filtered sockets as standard with ADSL installations.

Mind you if the sockets are wired up incorrectly even with a filter you can affect the broadband signal.

As for the tablet. Presumably you are trying to link it via WiFi. So does it connect at all or only in certain locations?

If it does not connect at all make sure that the WiFi password is entered exactly as printed on the label on the back of the hub (assuming it hasn't been changed). Also check that the security profile set on the router is supported by the tablet otherwise it will not accept the connection. For testing purposes only you could try turning off all security on the WiFi to see if the tablet connects OK. Then put security on and see what happens.

If it only connects in certain locations then that could be signal issues. Interference from neighbouring networks is very common. I can see around 20 networks at home! Finding a clear channel in such circumstances can be near impossible. You might find that moving the router even a few inches can make a difference. Depends on where exactly it is sited as to how well the WiFi signal gets out.