topic Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket in Home Phone

Cost to replace BT Master socket

dawson — Wed, 29 May 2024 08:56:23 GMT

Hi,

Can someone tell me price to replace the BT Master socket please - it is old and quite manky.

I have been having intermittent connection drops which decreased when I took the front plate off and connected to the hidden port so I think it would be a good idea to get it replaced.

Thanks

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

jab1 — Wed, 29 May 2024 09:06:55 GMT

Report your connection drops and quite often if this results in PN finding faults, the OR engineer will replace the master socket FOC as part of the repair.

First thing to check: Is your phoneline clear? Dial 17070 (preferably from a corded phone), select option 2. Once your phone number is confirmed, there should be silence on the line except for the regular 'Quiet Line Test' message - any other noise, report a PHONE problem via: https://www.plus.net/help/report-a-problem/phone/

If the phone test passes, report a broadband problem via: https://www.plus.net/help/report-a-problem/broadband/

Let us know the result - if the tests come back as clear but you still have a problem, we need to investigate further.

The above assumes you still have 'normal' landline connection - if you have a SOGEA (internet only) one, just use the second link to report a network issue.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

dawson — Wed, 29 May 2024 09:14:01 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for the reply - Phone line sound is clear - will try your other suggestions when I get home.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

jab1 — Wed, 29 May 2024 09:19:50 GMT

If you are not at home - how have you tested the line? The test must be done from your premises.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

dawson — Wed, 29 May 2024 09:39:22 GMT

Sorry - possibly talking at cross purposes.

Last night when I picked the handset up - the sound was clear, no crackling etc

I will run the test you suggested tonight and get back to you

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

bmc — Wed, 29 May 2024 10:24:26 GMT

@dawson

I assume FTTP isn't on the horizon. This would bypass the Master Socket.

The checkers ar in the process of updating following the announcement of more Exchanges to be done. It might just be worth a check.

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL (you're looking for WBC FTTP in the left hand column)

https://www.openreach.com/

Brian

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

dawson — Wed, 29 May 2024 12:46:14 GMT

hmm, it looks like it is available - so that would bypass this whole issue!
I still have around 18months left on my current deal.

I will need to consider the implications of losing the landline/telephone number.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

bmc — Wed, 29 May 2024 13:02:20 GMT

@dawson

Yes, It's available. An entirely new fibre optic cable is run to your house terminating at an Optical Network Adapter (ONT). Sometimes it comes in via the existing entry point for the copper cable, or else by a new drilled hole.

https://support.aa.net.uk/Openreach_FTTP_ONT

You do lose your landline but not necessarily your phone number, You can port it immediately after install to a VOIP provider.

PN will upgrade you at any time at the cost of a new contract. The lowest speed on full fibre is 78 down so it looks like you'd get a doubling of speed without even considering the faster products.

I would continue with the fault checking while you think about things. Two things to consider - what's you mobile signal like and is your phone number important to you.

Brian

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

dawson — Wed, 29 May 2024 21:00:42 GMT

Did the 17070 check and it was silent apart from the recording.
It has dropped the connection this evening, but has reconnected.
Will continue to monitor.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

jab1 — Thu, 30 May 2024 05:59:00 GMT

@dawson Going back to your original post, you said that using the test socket reduced the frequency of drops, which clearly indicates there is an issue - it is in your interest to get this rectified ASAP, so I strongly suggest you report a fault using the second link in my post, otherwise you may find that your internet connection may fail totally.

Your choice, but it is a step I would take.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

mystreet1 — Thu, 30 May 2024 15:46:04 GMT

If you have a Telephone ADSL Filter adapter lying around, take of the face plate and plug that into the test socket.

My socket when wrong years ago, dropping connection, low speed. Plugged one in, nearly 39Mb download on a 40Mb connection.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

jab1 — Thu, 30 May 2024 15:56:49 GMT

@mystreet1 If you read post #1 again, I think you will find the OP has already done that, and the results from that indicate a fault with the faceplate of the master socket.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

HPsauce — Thu, 30 May 2024 16:42:10 GMT

If it really is the faceplate just buy an appropriate filtered faceplate online.

Exact model will depend on the type of master socket.

(I've got loads of the things now of various designs as they evolved over the years, even an i-Plate!)

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

dawson — Thu, 30 May 2024 17:07:52 GMT

Hi, just to update the thread...
After posting last night the connection dropped at 11pm and stayed off all night.
This morning an engineer arrived unexpectedly - I had logged the issue prior to posting here.
He has replaced the master socket and it has been connected for over 8hrs and I am now getting 40 down and 9.95up!
So hopefully the issue is now resolved.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

jab1 — Thu, 30 May 2024 17:12:51 GMT

So, it appears it was a fault with the Master socket as I suspected - they can fail, and as yours appeared to be old and in poor condition, that probably explains it. I assume he replaced the socket with a 5c/Mk.4 version?

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

dawson — Thu, 30 May 2024 20:19:21 GMT

It says 5C, but no idea which version.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

jab1 — Thu, 30 May 2024 20:27:58 GMT

@dawson '5C' is the socket version, 'Mark 4' is the faceplate, with separate VDSL and phone connections - sorry I wasn't clearer.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

dawson — Thu, 30 May 2024 21:30:19 GMT

No, it just has a single phone socket on it.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

jab1 — Fri, 31 May 2024 06:05:45 GMT

Very strange - if they fit a 5C smaster socket, the Mk.4 faceplate usually 'comes with it'.

Re: Cost to replace BT Master socket

MisterW — Fri, 31 May 2024 06:14:48 GMT

If there's no wired extensions, then there's no need for a Mk4 faceplate apart from maybe it looks neater. In fact given the poor quality of connectors on the MK4, its probably better without