BT phone socket

[birdiesX4]

We are currently helping DD with some renovations for a house she has bought. I posted a few weeks ago about sockets for internet and we have managed to get that done and broadband is up and running.
There is a socket in the lounge that doesn't have any broadband coming from it and she is unlikely to use it for a phone. It's been painted and looks awful so can we just replace it if we want to keep it or get rid altogether? Didn't know if we could do either as it belonged to BT.

[Tumpshies]

when i moved in the couple put a plug socket(not connected to the mains) rather than a blank plate over it.

[Mad Mark]

That’s a slave socket so you can change it

[tspill]

This is just an extension socket rather than a BT socket.
There are cheap to buy and easy to replace if that is what you want to do. Make sure you get one with screw terminals and not IDC connections as you would need a special tool for those (though they often come with a plastic tool).
Or you can just remove it.

[birdiesX4]

Originally Posted by tspill

This is just an extension socket rather than a BT socket.
There are cheap to buy and easy to replace if that is what you want to do. Make sure you get one with screw terminals and not IDC connections as you would need a special tool for those (though they often come with a plastic tool).
Or you can just remove it.

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So if we want to remove it we can just simply get rid of the wires?

[tspill]

Originally Posted by birdiesX4

So if we want to remove it we can just simply get rid of the wires?

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You have a couple of options.
The best option would be to take the cable out. That would mean tracing it to where the other end is connected. Might be under floors or anywhere. This would be what I would be doing if possible.

Otherwise it sort of depends on what is behind the socket. Cutting the cable and making sure the wires cant touch each other and in some way hiding them in the wall behind the existing socket. Or if the cable can even be pulled part way out to tidy it up.
Regardless it is best to find the other end and at least disconnect it.

Are you able to trace the wire?

Depending on how your BB is wired, internal consumer wiring can wreck BB speeds. However, if you have the new OpenReach dual master socket - BB is isolated form your internal wiring and cant impact speed.

[birdiesX4]

Originally Posted by tspill

You have a couple of options.
The best option would be to take the cable out. That would mean tracing it to where the other end is connected. Might be under floors or anywhere. This would be what I would be doing if possible.

Otherwise it sort of depends on what is behind the socket. Cutting the cable and making sure the wires cant touch each other and in some way hiding them in the wall behind the existing socket. Or if the cable can even be pulled part way out to tidy it up.
Regardless it is best to find the other end and at least disconnect it.

Are you able to trace the wire?

Depending on how your BB is wired, internal consumer wiring can wreck BB speeds. However, if you have the new OpenReach dual master socket - BB is isolated form your internal wiring and cant impact speed.

See more...

I know where the wiring is coming from and the other side of the wall is just a stud wall into the vestibule. The wiring goes into the vestibule and up into DD's bedroom and under the floor into the back bedroom where it goes out of the window to the telegraph pole. It also splits into a bt mastersocket with a phone and broadband connection. This is where her router is plugged in.

[vampiress88]

As it looks like it was inside the wall I would just replace with a nice socket.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by vampiress88

As it looks like it was inside the wall I would just replace with a nice socket.

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So would I.

If I wanted to dispense with it I would just chop the cable off, remove the box and plaster over the hole and cable. Then rub smooth and decorate.

[duchy]

It doesn't "belong to BT" if you want rid you can. It's yours .