topic Re: Move Master Socket in Home Phone

Move Master Socket

ph0enix1962 — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:16:48 GMT

Good evening, our broadband is being activated on the 14th. We need the master socket moving from our lounge to the study. Can anyone help how to go about this please

Re: Move Master Socket

jab1 — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:29:32 GMT

@ph0enix1962 Welcome to the forum. Do you currently have a broadband service at the property - if so, what service is it, and what service are you taking from Plusnet?

If you are currently on a service via your master socket, and your new service is going via the same route, you will have to arrange the re-location either via your current ISP - before the 14th, or after, through Plusnet. Be aware, Openreach, who will do the work, charge £160.00 + VAT.

Re: Move Master Socket

bmc — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 20:47:27 GMT

@ph0enix1962

Do you have a phone extension in the study?

If you have, you could use that instead of the MS to connect. You might lose a bit of speed but otherwise it should work.

Brian

Re: Move Master Socket

ph0enix1962 — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 20:53:16 GMT

Hi bmc

We do not. We have an extension running off the Master to one of the bedrooms. We dont need that, maybe running an extension to the study instead and putting on a new face type with the dual socket that has a RJ11 ( i think that what the router connection is ) The long story is that Vodafone was our ISP and after our house move on the 28th July the line was activated by Openreach on the 5th August. It has never worked and Vodafone support was woeful so we binned them and went with PlusNet.

Re: Move Master Socket

jab1 — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:00:08 GMT

@ph0enix1962 Running broadband from an extension is never a good idea (sorry @bmc ), and as I said Master Socket relocations have to be done by OR it is their equipment - or at least the wiring behind it is.

Re: Move Master Socket

ph0enix1962 — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:04:20 GMT

Would an ex BT enginner be authorised to move it ? Vodafone have said they can't help me

Re: Move Master Socket

jab1 — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:06:57 GMT

He wouldn't be 'authorised', but would probably do as good a job.

Re: Move Master Socket

ph0enix1962 — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:11:13 GMT

I think i will bite the bullet and get an engineer other than Openreach. Like i say i can't get anywhere with Vodafone helping me even getting a job raised with openreach, they are useless, roll on next Thursday when we are activated with Plusnet. Only so long i can work from home tethered to 5G on my phone

Re: Move Master Socket

HPsauce — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:38:37 GMT

Nothing wrong really with an extension if you do it properly. 😎

After all you're only adding a few metres onto a typically 1km or more cable run.

And if you're closer than that it really won't make any difference at all!

Alternatively put the router at the master socket and extend your in-home network as appropriate. Probably easier and cheaper.

Re: Move Master Socket

markhawkin — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 22:28:12 GMT

@ph0enix1962

Depending on why "it never worked" Plusnet may or may not be better (at least until you have had an engineer visit).

I do wonder if there is an existing wiring fault.

If you have (or can borrow) a traditional landline phone do you get dial tone or at least the impression the circuit is live?

Any copper delivered service is probably going to be relatively short term as Openreach are aiming at fibre provision for the vast majority of addresses by next Christmas.

Re: Move Master Socket

outcast — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:41:16 GMT

@markhawkin wrote:

Any copper delivered service is probably going to be relatively short term as Openreach are aiming at fibre provision for the vast majority of addresses by next Christmas.

... the FTTP fibre-optic cable is likely to enter the house at ground level, and follow the path of the existing copper landline.

Therefore as the new ONT would appear indoors where the existing Master Socket is, it would make more sense to NOT move the Master Socket, or add a xDSL extension, but instead install the router next to the Master Socket (and future ONT), and then get a cable installer to run an ethernet cable from the router to upstairs in the study, then fit an ethernet switch and/or wireless access point in the study.

Re: Move Master Socket

ph0enix1962 — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 06:27:07 GMT

That does make a lot of sense to get it working where it is now as i do need to get a CAT6 to the garage for the Solar install, Zappi and cameras, thank you

Re: Move Master Socket

Baldrick1 — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 07:19:43 GMT

@ph0enix1962

CAT 6 is fine but the central separator makes it relatively stiff, CAT5e is good enough for 1000Mbps up to 100M and is more flexible.

Re: Move Master Socket

corringham — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 08:28:19 GMT

@markhawkin wrote:

Any copper delivered service is probably going to be relatively short term as Openreach are aiming at fibre provision for the vast majority of addresses by next Christmas.

No they are not. They are switching off the PSTN phone network which runs over copper. The FTTC (and ADSL) broadband that also runs over copper will continue.

ADSL will be phased out around 2030, and FTTC some time after that. FTTP coverage will be increased, but it will never get to 100% - so some areas (such as mine) are unlikely to ever get OR FTTP.

Re: Move Master Socket

lahbrannan1 — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 08:36:15 GMT

Hi @ph0enix1962

Thank you for your recent message. We can absolutely make arrangements for the master socket to be relocated via Openreach, as @jab1 alluded to in this thread the cost would be £160.

Should you wish to go ahead please let us know and we will arrange to get in touch once the activation has been finalized to book out the engineer and take the payment.

Thanks

Lee

Re: Move Master Socket

outcast — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 08:55:47 GMT

@Baldrick1 wrote:

CAT 6 is fine but the central separator makes it relatively stiff, CAT5e is good enough for 1000Mbps up to 100M and is more flexible.

Does it need to be flexible ?.

Stranded Cat5e is good for easy to use flexible patch cables to hook-up between home network devices, or movable things like laptops, but permanent wiring within a house, particularly if between wall mounted ethernet sockets, the cable is usually solid-core copper wires and stiff.

Now that Openreach are installing 2.5Gbit ONTs, if you are having new cables installed, why would you limit yourself to 1000Mbps Cat5e, when 2.5Gbit ethernet will be the standard for the next decade.

I'm currently in the process of building my next router, and the WAN and LAN sockets are all 2.5Gbit -

Re: Move Master Socket

HPsauce — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 09:35:18 GMT

Just to be clear. You don't even need Cat5e for Gigabit:

Old 4-core phone cable (Cat3 maybe) - fine for 100mbit domestically

Cat5 - Gigabit (honestly) so don't bin it, use it.

Cat5e - Gigabit but better for longer runs and more "challenging" environments (i.e. commercial)

Cat6 - Up to 10Gigabit at domestic distances (55 metres?)

I still use old phone cable for some links as it's easier to run, less obvious and works fine. Usually better than WiFi too. And as I'm now on FTTC at 60mbps it's still more than adequate for downloads.

Just be aware that there are various old patch cables around (typically supplied with old routers) that may appear to be Cat5/5e but only have 4 cores; they only run at 100mbps.

Re: Move Master Socket

ph0enix1962 — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 09:36:10 GMT

I think my option will be CAT6 Direct burial LLDPE with UV jacket to my garage to a POE switch for the Solar and cameras and a WAP fitted for the Zappi/Harvi

Re: Move Master Socket

HPsauce — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 09:41:08 GMT

@ph0enix1962 That sounds fairly future-proof. I'd definitely get the existing master socket working before even thinking about having it moved.

And bear in mind the comments about upgrading to full fibre, that requires a powered unit on the end of the fibre inside your property. Then an ethernet cable from that to "your" router, which can be elsewhere.

Re: Move Master Socket

bmc — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 09:53:30 GMT

@ph0enix1962

Whatever you eventually decide to do, I would wait until you've got your PN connection up and running. Assuming no OR visit is required, then you're free to do what you wish.

If Full Fibre does come your way (you can check www.openreach.co.uk to see what they say about your property) then, as stated, the arrival point is where your current copper cable is. There is a certain leeway in the location of the internal ONT but that can only be finalised on the day of install. It does need a power source. The router is attached via ethernet cable so can go anywhere you want.

If you're doing work to sort out your home network then it's worth considering if Full Fibre would make a difference on how / where you run cables.

As an aside, I think Cat5e is more than enough for home networks.

Brian