Legality of master line socket

Hi, When we moved into our rented accomodation the telephone access point in the lounge did not work. I searched the house for a master socket but couldn't find one.
So I called the rental agency, and they sent one of their employees out who did some adhoc messing about (there were two access points in the lounge) and he cut some wires and bodged a connection together from a combination of both sockets.
Our BB connection has always synched much lower than it should, which I have always put down to dodgy internal wiring & not being able to find the master socket hasn't helped.
Now a friend has identifed that the access point in the lounge is actually a very ancient master socket. I have read that it is against the law to touch or modify the master socket which is BTs property.
However as I work from home I would really like to get the speed sorted out and have a decent master socket fitted.
So I have several questions,
1) If we get an engineer out, are there any legal ramifications of the socket being modified (I can happily point them to the man who did it - but he does own the rental agency we rent the house from, so it could jeopordise our accomodation)
2) Who would be liable for the bill to repair / replace the master socket?
I would love to get some advice from an actual BT rep if possible please?
EDIT: Does anyone from BT read or respond on these forums?

Devon_Dave wrote:
hamish72 wrote:
I think some master sockets have terminals for the user to attach extension wiring so that would be legal whilst any work up to that point would not and your old socket probably has not got that feature
Master sockets do not have a customer connection point, only line boxes (NTE5) do
Several misconceptions creeping in here.
1 An NTE5 is a master socket. It does have customer-accessible terminals. How else do you think extension wiring would be attached ?
2 Very old sockets are identifiable by having no split in the faceplate. They date from the days when BT provided and owned all the wiring, and there was no need to have a demarcation point between BT and the customer's network. If that is what exists, it should be replaced at no cost by BT Openreach during any fault tracing work. If you just want it replaced, you will be charged (lots !).
3 Any work undertaken by BT to sort out bodged customer wiring will be charged. The person who will be charged is the current owner of the telephone line account - regardless of who actually did the deed. There's no question of prosecution these days (if there ever was).
4 It's perfectly possible for bodged wiring to screw up DSL sync speeds, without necessarily introducing noise interference. If the wiring has been "Tee'd" in to circuit (that is - forming a sort of "Y" with one input and two outputs), it can cause a large "Impedance discontinuity". This will ruin the "Frequency response" of the line and this will cause lowered sync rates. (This is a common problem in customers' wiring, but some electricians and telecom technicians aren't aware of this).
Getting this fixed is up to the person who pays the line rental. It's quite clear that someone has badly bodged the wiring, and it needs a professional (that is - a BT technician) to sort it out. This has to be paid for. The OP made a fair point about not upsetting the landlord - but it's the landlord who has been let down by a cowboy handyman.

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you might find help here http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/socket.htm
or even here http://www.jarviser.co.uk/jarviser/howto3.html
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If Bt engineer coming to fit hub then he will have no problem locating the master socket - that's he job
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I am very sorry if this is a stupid question. I just want to clarify. I am hopefully getting BT Infinity installed shortly and I note about it needing the "master phoneline"
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Hi yes that is correct they would be separate lines in your case so you will need to specify which number you want infinity on when you place your order
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Setting up the new router when I noticed there is no master phone socket instead there is a extension socket which then connects to very old looking cream coloured oval plastic box which then connects to the main BT phone wire. Since I believe this oval box belong to the property of BT , I need EE to contact BT Open reach to send engineer to fit a master phone socket as I'm concerned over the safety of this very old oval plastic box and the wiring within it has become fragile, as such I believe this will negatively impact the effectiveness and efficency of the broadband whilst also being a potential risk and as such EE and BT have a duty of care for it customers. I've attempted many times over phone and by email to resolve this issue without any resolution.

How do know the single phone socket is not a master? All houses are fitted with 1 master socket and 0 or more extensions. Can you post a picture of its internals? The oval box is just a Block Terminal connecting the external to the internal wiring and is BT's property as you say. They are fairly reliable.
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I want to move the master phone socket from downstairs to upstairs. The phone cable on the outside wall runs from upstairs, so I figure this shouldn't be too much of a problem, but is there anywhere I can find more information about this? (like how much it might cost, how long it would take, etc.)
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Solved!
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you would need to contact bt sales and get them to
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Master/Test socket issue

Hi all, I've had Infinity 2 activated on Monday (13th) and have been noticing slow speeds when plugged into an extension, getting around 40download/10upload.
I have now plugged it in the master socket and it has improved.
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This was a self install as BT said an engineer wasn't needed. My question is, do I need a different master socket as there is quite a difference in speed? It is a NTE5 master socket at the moment and how do I go about improving the speeds for the extention socket as it located more conveniently, better wiring?
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r1chmo wrote:
No, I have the phone plugged into the master socket which is out in the hallway and the extension socket I use is in the living room behind the TV which I would use to plug the home hub in.
If you are not going to use the extension, then disconnect the wires from the master socket. The alternative is to fit a filtered faceplate, and then reconnect the extension wiring, just in case you need to use anothe device, like a set-top box.
There is a helpful page here.
http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/socket.htm
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There are some useful help pages here, for BT Broadband customers only, on my personal website.
BT Broadband customers - help with broadband, WiFi, networking, e-mail and phones.

I have a BT line/socket, but BT does not have it o...

The first time I signed up with BT, I told them I had a BT socket.
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How on earth does one speed up the process? I clearly don't need a line installed. I just need it activated again at the hefty sum of 125 £.
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Just an update.
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Help Needed with Master Socket Wiring

Hi All,
I need some help wiring up my master phone socket. I was having some broadband issues a few weeks ago and to determine whether or not the problem was with my ISP or Phone Line I took off the front of the socket to plug my router/phone into the test port as I had no internet through the normal port (it ended up being an ISP problem). Long story short I had the phone cable plugged into the normal socket but hadn't screwed the fascia back on, stood up caught my foot in the phone cable and ended up pulling some of the wires out (I can only get a phone line and broadband through the test port not the main port). The phone line still works through the main socket but my internet doesn't, so I can only assume I've disloged a wire for this?
Here is a photo of the socket as it currently looks:
I have the following wires avaiable:
Blue/White - Not connected
Green/White - Not connected
Orange/White - Not connected
Orange - Connected to pin 5
Black - Connected to pin 5
Blue - Connected to pin 2
Light Green - Connected to pin 2
Dark Green - Connected to pin 3
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Devon_Dave wrote:
Note for self, must type quicker than IMJ
you must be really slow then - or maybe I just read it before you LOL
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Request to resite Master socket-using external wir...

Sorry its a similar post, however these are my specific questions.
Engr coming this friday to install BT Infinty fibre service.Modem due tomorrow and Engr brings Router(I think).
My current layout is copper cable to house via BT Pole,to front of house first floor,then cable run down wall to lounge bay window and master socket is installed underneath/adjacent to bay window.(no power socket available nearby).
Lounge, hall, stairs and landing all recently replastered and redecorated.Yes I know I should had this lot installed first!
I will not accept Cat5 cable extension from downstairs to upstairs (clipped against skirting etc)and also fitting of a new twin socket outlet in the lounge.
We have a study at the rear of the house first floor where PC is installed with current Router, and sufficient sockets.
Will the nice Open Reach Engr consider the following,
1. reuse the copper wire to the house and cleat the cable run towards the rear of the property.
2. If the cable is not long enough, can he joint it-or is this a no no!(outside)
3. If 2 is not possible would he consider renewing the copper cable from pole and run it to my study(outside wall).
4. Will he drill through mortar/brick wall to gain access to study to run cable inside for less than 1 metre?
5. If he is not willing to do 4-Could I drill the hole for him!
I promise to make him unlimited tea/coffee, foot his ladder and buy loads of cake and biscuits.
If I am "kidding myself" please tell me!
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Graham
Solved!
Go to Solution.

graham6520 wrote:
Hi,
Many thanks for swift reply.
1. I have three sockets in the study with PC-so power sockets are not the issue!
2. I do have one"aftermarket non BT" phone socket in the study where the router/modem is currently connected to this socket. This socket is at the end of a "serial phone circuit"(ie master socket in lounge to phone in lounge to phone in kitchen then upstairs to study!).I know this route sounds long and "iffy" but its good quality cable and properly "terminated".I have had no problems whatsoever in 20 years re phone REN etc.Last time a BT Engr was at the property was summer this year and my download speed was 1.9mbps at the master socket and I asked him to test speed at the"end of my phone wiring in the study(where the router is plugged) and he confirmed same 1.9 mbps.
From this I deduced no loss on my DIY wiring!-I could be wrong-I am a novice!
the wiring will not be suitable for a master but the engineer will run a new cable then use the existing wiring just for phones
3. If the installer could just fit a master phone socket to replace my DIY existing socket in the Study, that would be fantastic and so easy! not possible
4. Please forgive my ignorance re your item 3 below, can you clarify or simplify ie does the router and modem"sit next to each other" and can they both reside in the study(if the installer can fit a master socket in the study).
master connects to modem, then modem to router, you can extend any of the cables that connect them though the best one would be modem to router as you can buy suitable cables in upto 100m length
I will be very grateful for a further update from you and other experts, this upgrade is really important to me, I am at home having lost my job through ill health 2 years ago and don't think I am well enough to drill a hole through the outside wall on a ladder with vertigo!-unless the installer refuses to drill the wall. I don't think my wife would sign off the risk assessment for me to do it! could always drill from inside, i always do, more important to have it in the right place on the inside than outside
Thanks once again,
Graham

Is it possible to re-locate my master socket for i...

I want to get BT infinity in my home but there are no power sockets near my master socket.
My question is: Will it be possible to re-locate my master phone socket to upstairs near where my current router is and where there is power sockets?

Common misconception.
You do not need power sockets next to your master socket.
They will route a new Cat5 cable from the master socket upto 30metres away. Wherever you want your router is were you need power points.
They can convert an existing extension into the master socket but that will all depend on the quality of the extension.
The BT engineer that fits the extensions are VERY helpful and will suggest the best route for your connection.
On the installation date, just ask, and you will usually get.
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DO I need to connect to my Master Socket?

In short, my question is ... does my home hub have to be connected to the master phone socket?
I am looking to take on BT phone, broadband and TV package but my master socket is in my kitchen. The house is 10 years old and from that master socket the builder installed other BT phone points throughout the house. Can I have the home hub connected to my livingroom socket which is obviously not the master socket but a "spur" from the master socket?
I don't fancy having the hub in my kitchen.
Thanks.

You can have the master socket moved - so Openreach engineer will do some "messing about" with your cabling and make a different socket your master.
Or you can have a data cable run from the existing master socket to a more suitable location - this is a handy option if you're unsure of the quality of your internal wiring.

BT master socket help please

Hello everyone
About 10 years ago when I still lived with my folks I decided to get broadband but as the pc was in my room it meant running a big long wire from the built in pc modem down to the phone socket in the hall way
So an engineer came round and made the socket in my room the master phone socket, now all these years later Ive moved out but now my mum and dad are having terrible troubles with their laptop struggling to pick up the router signal which has to be upstairs in my old room with the master socket and they have terrible broadband speeds. My question is could I myself swap around the master socket from my old room to a downstairs socket easy enough or would I need an engineer ? Im guessing I could do it with the right instructions as Ive seen engineers do it very quickly and easily.
Does anyone know of any detailed online instructions/video tutorials etc so I can do this please ? Ive looked but am struggling to find any.
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Sorry, one thing I'm not clear about from the original post. Is there still a working socket downstairs which has been used as an extension. If so you may be able to just relocate the hub. Provided the wire is in good condition you shouldn't get too much drop off.
BT would need to see the socket to know if you've moved it, but if you have a problem at any time with your broadband you'll have some explaining to do and may be charged.

Legality of master line socket

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