topic Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one? in Broadband

Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

adtankard1 — Fri, 30 May 2025 09:40:10 GMT

Just looking at sorting out broadband and I'm moving off of mobile broadband back to FTTC/FTTP. Following a total rewiring the house I live in currently has no master socket and I want to check if this will be something that a plusnet engineer will install, or is it something I'll need to sort seperately?

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

MisterW — Fri, 30 May 2025 09:46:39 GMT

If FTTP (Full fibre) is available and you order it, then an Openreach engineer will run a new fibre cable either underground or from the pole and then install an ONT (Optical network termination) inside the house.

Following a total rewiring the house I live in currently has no master socket

Did the house previously have a phone line and master socket ?

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

pjmarsh — Fri, 30 May 2025 09:50:53 GMT

This is something Openreach would do, when Plusnet place the order with them. The complications/delays might come if Openreach think you already have bits that you don't. That is probably unlikely if you are going with FTTP (if you've not previously had an ONT installed).

If you enter your details on here and post the results (with any addresses and such like redacted) it may help to see what you have got and what is available to you: https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/

Edit: @MisterW beat me to it!

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

adtankard1 — Fri, 30 May 2025 09:57:35 GMT

It did yes, though I couldn't even begin to say where or what remains of that wiring.

I don't believe FTTP is avaiable in my area sorry that was unhelpful of me to add that. I've used mobile broadband exclusively for the last 6 years, I moved to my current address and renovated heavily and that included a full rewiring that removed all the old wiring as well as multiple walls. As such as far as I am aware, the only wiring for the old master socket that would still exist would be underground outside the property, none would be left internally as far as I know.

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

MisterW — Fri, 30 May 2025 09:59:44 GMT

@adtankard1 in that case it could be complicated if you are not ordering Full fibre. The master socket and the wiring up to it are the property of Openreach and should not be tampered with. Openreach will assume that its all still in place and will not expect to have to make a visit to the property to install one.

As @pjmarsh says, post the availability checker results and we'll check what's available

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

adtankard1 — Fri, 30 May 2025 10:07:08 GMT

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

pjmarsh — Fri, 30 May 2025 10:10:38 GMT

Based on that you would need to order a Fibre (ie SOGEA) product, which would need a copper line and a master socket. Firstly you'll need to order that, then you'll need to persuade them to persuade Openreach that you need an engineer visit. That second bit will be the messy bit!

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

adtankard1 — Fri, 30 May 2025 10:18:43 GMT

I might be an idiot, because I've just looked behind my office desk and there is an ethernet/modem socket, which from following the wire as far as I can appears to still be connected to *something*, though I can't tell where it eventually goes.

It appears to run through the floor and downstairs and looks to be boxed off down to the floor where I can only guess that it then goes outside and underground, but I have no way to confirm that.

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

MisterW — Fri, 30 May 2025 10:19:07 GMT

If you post some pictures we should be able to identify...

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

adtankard1 — Fri, 30 May 2025 10:23:41 GMT

The office socket with the wire running into the cornerWhere I think that wire then comes down into the downstairsWhere I think it then goes down under the floor and back outside, but I can't get the boxing off to be able to tell

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

bmc — Fri, 30 May 2025 10:59:19 GMT

@adtankard1

Have you given any consideration as to where you would want the Master Socket located?

The box on the wall may have to come off and or floor boards lifted to allow the OR engineer to work. Either that or they call in a ground works team to dig outside and then being the copper cable in through the external wall.

Brian

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

adtankard1 — Fri, 30 May 2025 10:51:28 GMT

Honestly wherever requires (if possible) no digging. The floorboards have been torn apart multiple times so they're not precious at all.

I'm hoping that this means that the wiring is still in place and that I'm not as royally screwed as it first seemed?

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

MisterW — Fri, 30 May 2025 11:13:06 GMT

@adtankard1 that socket COULD be a very old master socket , does it have an Openreach logo on it ?

If you've got a old phone, you could check if the socket is connected by plugging a phone in. You MIGHT get a dial tone.

Is that socket in a convenient place for the router to be connected ? note that you will need a mains socket

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

adtankard1 — Fri, 30 May 2025 11:28:02 GMT

This is the only symbol on it which I can only assume stands for telephone at a guess.

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

bmc — Fri, 30 May 2025 11:31:41 GMT

@adtankard1

I think the box needs to come off and the floor board downstairs lifted so you can see what's what and have access for the OR engineer to work.

The MS could go up or downstairs. Either way you appear to have a route for an ethernet cable to run between floors which would allow a Wireless Acces Point to be installed. Or, if the MS is downstairs the upstairs socket could be replaced with an ethernet socket (easy to install - you just need a punch down tool). That way you can plug in any equipment you want upstairs.

You would have a bit of re-decorating to do.

Brian

Edit : Just noticed on your latest picture a second cable running out of the box along the wall. Where does this go?

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

adtankard1 — Fri, 30 May 2025 11:34:12 GMT

We haven't even done a first decorating so redecorating isn't a problem lol.

The 2nd wire goes to another of the same type of box in the next room across where the wire then stops.

I'm not worried about the level or tearing things up that needs to be done for the installation, just so long as it can actually be done by an engineer at time of installation.

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

MisterW — Fri, 30 May 2025 11:56:33 GMT

This is the only symbol on it which I can only assume stands for telephone at a guess.

@adtankard1 AFAIK that's a (very) old Openreach logo. The fact that there's a 2nd socket wired in is a possible problem, since that socket is not a filtered one, so the extension socket is going to be hard wired..

I suspect you're going to need Openreach to come and at least replace with the latest master socket. Whether the wiring is ok is an unknown...

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

adtankard1 — Fri, 30 May 2025 12:03:27 GMT

Well i've bitten the bullet and requested an engineer for installation so I'll just have to see what they find I guess.

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

bmc — Fri, 30 May 2025 12:42:10 GMT

@adtankard1

Given that redecoration isn't a problem them you have options to consider before the engineer arrives.

Both WiFi coverage and future arrival of Full Fibre (assuming it comes) should be in your mind.

As already suggested, the box needs to come off and the corner floor board lifted before the install. If the incoming cable goes all the way upstairs then it should simply be a case of replacing the MS. The first question is where?

If there's power available downstairs then it could go there. If Full Fibre arrvies from OR it'll probably come in the same way. With the router attached you have WiFi coverage downstairs. Running an ethernet cable upstairs then gives you a good starting point there.

I mentioned earlier about changing the upstairs socket to an ethernet one. With decoration to be done, if may be possible to fit a flush mounted one as "hacking" holes in the plasterboard can easily be fixed later. Putting a socket downstairs might also be useful. With the ethernet cable in place you can use either a WiFi Access Ppoint (WAP) or any other piece of equipment you may wish to connect.

If you put the MS upstairs, then you can work in reverse. Put an ethernet cable in place and you can add a WAP downstairs.

Note that the upstairs socket could be moved closer to the corner if so desired. the outgoing wire and the socket in the other room can be removed.

Replace the box with modern ducting - the clip on type so you always have access. Ensure it's large enough for two cables (with FF you could have the ONT and router upstairs which is one cable and then bring a second cable downstairs).

You must know what you want before the engineer arrives so you're in a position to talk it through with them and hope they're happy.

It might also be a good time to think about general internet coverage in the property. Running ethernet cable is better done before decorating rather than afterwards.

Brian

Re: Don't have a modem/ethernet master wall socket, will an engineer install one?

andrum99 — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 18:04:06 GMT

The socket looks like an early version of LJU2 - same size as UK single electrical socket, with the original privatisation-era BT logo. They came in master, PBX and secondary versions, but based on the description of the wiring around it, it's probably a master socket.

(Secondary sockets are for extensions, PBX you won't have as they were for extensions run off businesses internal phone systems, essentially).

You're certainly going to need the master socket replaced with the current NTE5C. Depending on how long the property has been without a landline, and the demand for lines in the area, you might also get unlucky and end up with Openreach coming back and saying there are no spare pairs available to give you service.

There's absolutely no point leaving the extension socket connected, as there will be no PSTN service on any new line installed. If you have signed up for phone service, it will instead be delivered over the broadband line - any phones must be plugged into the voice port on the back of the router, not into the phone line.