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Internet drops multiple times a day. Old rerouted master socket causing issues - what to do next?

kmbutterfield
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: ‎22-08-2022

Internet drops multiple times a day. Old rerouted master socket causing issues - what to do next?

Hi everyone! We rent a top floor (4th floor) flat that’s a very old stone building. The flats were converted 20 years ago, and for some reason the master BT socket is located in the corner of the kitchen and has a blank plate cover. The master socket then connects to another socket in the living-room where we place our router and ethernet up the TV/PS4/PC - I've attached a flat layout!

 

For the past year we've had issues with intermittent internet and slow speeds. The wi-fi doesn't reach the bedrooms or kitchen (probably due to the external stone walls), so we bought an extender that is meticulously placed and works a treat. However more recently, our OpenReach engineers have found the speeds to the original master socket are amazing, but there's a fault with the extension wire to the living-room which is within the walls so keeps disconnecting the internet.

 

We've considered having the router relocated to the master socket location in the kitchen, however we don't get wifi in the living-room due to the stone walls. The extender we have also doesn't help as there are built-in cupboard in front of all plug-sockets. So we're at a bit of a loss and without a stable internet connection (dc'd 4 times in writing this!). 

 

Are there any suggestions on what our landlord can do? Replacing the broken wires would be great, but that requires ripping out parts of the walls. Alternatively, we do have a hole in the wall near the living-room BT socket which a Sky satellite wire went through. Think it would be feasible to have the master socket relocated externally? I honestly have zero knowledge on this.

 

Thanks for any suggestions though, and PN for being on call when issues arise!

Kim

 

2 REPLIES 2
Baldrick1
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Registered: ‎30-06-2016

Re: Internet drops multiple times a day. Old rerouted master socket causing issues - what to do next

@kmbutterfield  Welcome to the forum.

You don't mention whether you have a landline phone connected.

The best solution is to have the cabling between your incoming original master socket and the new location. Officially this has to be done by Openreach who charge about £160. However if you look in your local press you might find a retired telecoms engineer who will do it for less.

An alternative approach is to get the Master socket refitted to the original position, make sure that this is fitted with a filtered faceplate. Install the hub next to it. Then install a new Ethernet cable from the hub to the new location where you can site a new Wireless Access Point. If you have a landline phone then connect the disconnected extension cable to the master socket filtered phone output for use for the phone only in the other room.

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kmbutterfield
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: ‎22-08-2022

Re: Internet drops multiple times a day. Old rerouted master socket causing issues - what to do next

Thanks for your suggestions Baldrick! My bad, we don't have a landline phone connected Smiley

Do you know if it's a standard charge of £160 by Openreach, or is possible they'll charge more?

The alternative approach sounds easier, but it means running an ethernet cable up and down stairs across the entire apartment which isn't ideal. The OpenReach engineer who tried to fix our current cabling said BT are unlikely to re-locate my Master socket which was really disheartening. Still stuck with dodgy internet Sad