Hi, sorry to bother you, I thought it was rude just to PM.

Can I ask you for some advice please, when u get a min.

At the moment, I have an old BT master socket (I'm told aound 1980s) which obviously doesn't have the test socket.
This socket has also been put in the stupidest of places by the previous owners...
So.....
I am wanting to move the socket, but also update it to the new NTE5. I was wondering if we are permitted by BT/Openreach to move and update this socket ourselves (Obviously by someone competant), as really can't afford BTs charges.

Another option is to leave the old socket in, and extend from that to an NTE5, (Sort of using it as a junction box) and then taking extensions from the NTE5. I know this wouldn't be ideal, but I was wondering if you could suggest anything/had any ideas?

Many thanks
Julie

the official ruling is that you can't touch it, as you would be breaching the T&C's. however many people do and if done properly have had no issues.
1 option is to ring your service provider saying you would like to add ext'ns but do not have a demarcation point, they should then task us to come out and change the LJU(old socket) to a NTE5(also if it's only moving a short distance or would be easier for the engineer to move for the new nte5, perhaps bribing with t and biscuits go's a long way with them.) this is part of our service agreement with your CP and should be done for free.(though they may try to charge you for it).
the other option is to get a sparky from the yellow pages, they usually say "ex BT" after them who will be more than competant to do the job for you.
and finally the even more other un-official answer is to have a chat to an engineer next time you see one, there is always one who will do "foriegners" or knows someone who will do them.

Thank you,

I had already seen you mention the "demarcation point" on previous posts and I tried that one. BT told me that my socket was up to date and that an NTE5 would be chargable. They did however offer to post me one out for £56.00 i think it was, for me to install myself This of course was the lovely oversees call centre.

Is there a particular dept. here in the UK I can try, or do I just need to keep trying, see If i can get someone to understand me?

Also since the phone line was installed, the previous owners had a garage extension built. This results in the cabling going down the gable of the house, underneath the lead flashing for the garage roof, down inside the garage wall and into the house. This is hardly ideal either. I don't know what an engineer would make of that, should one call out, all i can see is £££££ signs.

Might just take the "Ex BT Engineer" road. Thanks for your help
Last edited by jools100 : 24-09-2008 at 13:11

Had exactly the same problem/setup as you. Plus intermittent drop in broadband speed every couple
of weeks. Eventually got fed up and called BT. They said line test revealed fault on my equipment and to plug a hard wired phone directly into the main socket. Told them I hadn't got a main socket and was using a hard wired phone. Result, visit from engineer, new NTE master socket installed. He put fault down to original BT line being embedded (by me, years ago) in concrete of porch extension and corrosion causing line problems. I've since fitted an ADSL master socket faceplate, rewired my PC directly to it and, bingo, broadband speed up 25% and steady ever since. BT broadband line test states 0.5Mb/s as I am just on 3½km from the exchange. I was getting 700-800Kp/s on good days but now get 1.2Mb/s all the time.