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2nd BT line help needed


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Old 10-07-2007, 15:08
surfprof
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I've been trying to get an answer from Bt but keep getting the runaround.

I have a BT line that is joined to the main box in my living room. I have a second box upstairs in a bedroom but this does not work. The box is identical, even down to having the removable front plate and test socket inside.

This box is not connected from the main downstairs box but comes seperately via a wire around the outside of the house to the bedroom. This leads me to believe it could be an old second line rather than an extension socket.

I've also had a quick look at the wiring in the outside junction and it is as follows:

white & blue/white wires to main box downstairs

orange & white wires to box upstairs


Obviously I would consider reinstating this as a second line if indeed this is what it is, but BT haven't been able to tell me if a second line ever existed, they keep saying I can buy a second line for x amount of money.

I don't want to pay for an engineer to come out and install a second line if one already exists. Surely, if this is an old second line, it just needs to be re-activated?

Does anyone have any advice regarding this, or any technical knowledge that would help to identify if it's a second line or just a non-working extension?
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Old 10-07-2007, 15:46
chrisjr
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If it is wired to a BT junction box outside the house then 99.99999999999999999999999% ceertain it is a second line not an extension. An extension will be wired into the back of another socket.

It is possible that this second line was actually installed for the previous occupants employer. Which would explain why BT's records only show one line against your address. It can be a tad difficult getting BT to go to the correct location when the billing address does not match the physical location of a line

But if this does explain why the line does not appear against your address you may have difficulty simply getting it re-activated rather than have it become a new installation.
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Old 10-07-2007, 15:54
surfprof
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Thanks for your response.

Yeah, the annoying thing is, it looks like the only way I can see if it is a second line is to have an engineer come out to fit one.

Problem is, who wants to pay £125 odd for someone to come out and possibly tell you that you already have it and they'll just switch it back on again?
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Old 10-07-2007, 17:53
sean2003
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You could always consider VoIP for your second line £125 will get you a nice IP phone allowing up to 12 calls & many more features than a BT line. Just have to have an internet connection!
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Old 10-07-2007, 19:06
surfprof
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You could always consider VoIP for your second line £125 will get you a nice IP phone allowing up to 12 calls & many more features than a BT line. Just have to have an internet connection!
Thing is, I want the second line so I can use it specifically for the broadband that I already have with the first line. I want to seperate the broadband from the voice line, and the second socket is where my computer is. I'd be able to use the broadband modem rather than the wireless router.
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Old 10-07-2007, 19:10
sean2003
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Ah! easiest option is probably just to install an extension from the master socket to the location of the PC.

Getting BT to do anything should always be the last option
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Old 11-07-2007, 12:16
surfprof
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Ah! easiest option is probably just to install an extension from the master socket to the location of the PC.

Getting BT to do anything should always be the last option
Thanks, but one of the reasons why I want to seperate the broadband from the main line is because it interferes too much for some reason with the voice line. No matter how many, or how I arrange the filters, it won't go away. Plus, the speed of the broadband increases dramatically by using the modem directly into a main box instead of an extension or router.

Not sure how, or even whether to proceed as yet.
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Old 11-07-2007, 19:42
Daffodil67
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Problem is, who wants to pay £125 odd for someone to come out and possibly tell you that you already have it and they'll just switch it back on again?

You wont have to pay the £124.99 fee upfront, if that helps, they may come out and decide that it isnt a chargeable job.
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Old 11-07-2007, 21:49
openreachpeep
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Thanks, but one of the reasons why I want to seperate the broadband from the main line is because it interferes too much for some reason with the voice line. No matter how many, or how I arrange the filters, it won't go away. Plus, the speed of the broadband increases dramatically by using the modem directly into a main box instead of an extension or router.

Not sure how, or even whether to proceed as yet.
the interference could be that you have a fault on the line. providing you have no ext's of your master skt, plug a phone into a filter and put into the test socket. dial 17070 opt 2. wait till she goes quiet, then plug in your modem/router into the filter. if you hear the squawking and hissing of the b/band signal quite loud as its getting the connection with the exchange then a constant hiss when your light's are green. then your suffering from a HR Dis in the network back to the exchange.(high resistance) unfortunately the test system will line test o.k. it, so you will have to report the fault through your b/band suplier to ensure that you get a b/band skilled engineer. otherwise a standard engineer (depending on how helpful they are, will just right when tested.)
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