Can anybody help. I currently have 2 BT lines (seperate numbers), 1 upstairs for business (broadband) and 1 downstairs (no Broadband). Outside of my house there is a box attached to the wall with the BT lines going into it. I now want to cancel the rental for the BT line upstairs but would like to convert the upstairs line to the existing number downstairs - in other words 1 number for the whole house of which I can plug a phone into any socket. I will then take out a Broadband subscription with a third party.

Is there an easy fix for this or do I need to contact BT for them to come and do the wiring in the box??

Any help is appreciated and please be aware that I don't have a clue about wiring or BT lines.

Thanks in advance.

It is technically possible but definitely on the dubious side of legal (according to BT). If you aren't that well up on DIYing it then getting someone in to sort out a couple of extension sockets (definitely not BT)would be your best bet.

If BT wired up to the box on the wall only and the wiring coming out is customer side wiring then you can remove the wires going to the upstairs socket and put them on the same terminals as the downstairs line. That would do the job.

However if BT wired both the box on the wall AND the wires going to the sockets upstairs and downstairs then you cannot touch it. If you do and later get a fault BT could well blame your rewiring for the problem and sting you for the callout. That is the more likely option of the two. So that means anything outside the house is a no-go zone.

It also means that technically you cannot run a wire from the downstairs socket to the upstairs one inside the house and attach it to the upstairs socket. Since in theory you are not allowed to touch the line wiring to the socket.

However I very much doubt anyone would be too bothered if you removed the dead wires from the back of the upstairs socket (after the line has been ceased obviously) and wired on a pair from downstairs in their place.

So once you have ceased the upstairs line run a bit of phone cable from the downstairs socket extension wiring terminals if it's an NTE5 (with the removable lower front panel) or a plug in kit if it isn't an NTE5 (can't open up the old style LJU socket with the one piece front panel) to the Line terminals of the upstairs socket. Having removed the dead BT wires first.

You can get suitable cable and clips to secure it round the skirting from places like Maplin or even B&Q

Bear in mind though that it might not actually be dead even though the service on it is ceased, so best not to touch it.

Stick a volt meter across it and see if the 50V is there or not.

Not that it really matters. If you use a pair of insulated handle wire cutters you can cut each wire in the pair a few inches back from the terminals then remove the tails from the terminals. If it uses screw terminals that is. If they are IDC then just give the wire a good yank and they will come out and not much chance of exposing too much copper to risk getting a belt.

Then carefully poke the wire out of the way, back through the wall perhaps?

And from personal experience it's not the 50V DC on the line that hurts, its the 75V or so AC when the thing rings that really tingles And not much chance of that on a ceased line (you hope!)

been caught out by that numourous times, always a good trick to play on the new starters when their out learning the trade.

why not just go for the wireless B/band and cordless phone option? much cheaper and more practical in the long run than getting some-one out to re-wire the house. also any ext'n wiring will have a negetive effect on the b/band

Thanks to all of your replies and options. I was hoping it was going to be as simple as just making a quick connection in the junction box outside but you have pointed me in the right direction.

I think I will go with no extra wiring and the wireless route - seems a bit easier.

Thanks Again!!

So you want the number from the upstairs line on the downstairs line?

If this is the case then just ask BT for a Renumber.

As them to renumber the downstairs line with the number from upstairs and to cease the upstairs line in the process as well.

This will save on any hassle with regards to cabling and then once you have the correct number downstairs and BT have closed off their order you can then order ADSL onto the line via an ISP of your choice

The box on the outside of the house will be some sort of line splitter / duplicator. I.e there will be 1 large cable running off the DP (telegraph pole) containing 2 pairs (2 lines) to this box. These lines will then run into the NTE downstairs and the NTE upstairs.

Technically all this cabling will be Openreach's and not yours to move. So I just recommend going ahead with the Renumber order (above) and having the upstairs line ceased and just going with a twin/triple cordless phone pack so you can put a handset upstairs.

Also go with an ISP who will supply you with a wireless router so you can go wireless with your Broadband and their you go

No. Reread the OP.


Why? Just buy a wireless router of your own and use any ISP.

Yeah I should have read that twice lol.

So he really just wants to make the upstairs NTE into an extension from the NTE downstairs ...

Well to be honest most ISP provide a wireless router as standard now anyway but I was just trying to save him a bit of £££

http://www.top10-broadband.co.uk/ to check the best packages