topic Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed in Broadband & Landline

Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

TallSteve2 — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:09:17 GMT

I recently had problem with router. As part of the EE investigations an Openreach engineer tested my line at point of entry into the house. He decided to replace my ancient phone socket with a new Openreach Master Socket 5C.

Router fixed by new PSU, but now will not connect via phone extension point (fine before). Only works through master socket (no electrical outlet nearby). EE "guide" couldn't get his head round this and couldn't see the problem as router working through master socket. He said I need a technical survey at extra charge.

Decided to look online, and I can now see that Openreach engineer did not connect my phone extension cables.

Where to next?

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

XRaySpeX — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:33:15 GMT

@TallSteve2 : Yes, you have no connection from the master socket to the extension socket. You need to connect the extension socket to the connector on the L of that backplate. You can do it yourself or get someone to do it.

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

TallSteve2 — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:50:46 GMT

@XRaySpeX . Reluctant to do it myself at this point. Await EE contact about technical survey, and tell him/her. I bet the old wires are not long enough to connect, but then I am a pessimist.

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

XRaySpeX — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:53:55 GMT

@TallSteve2 : OR might do it for you at a charge but it is your own internal wiring. Taking BB from an extension socket isn't ideal.

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

JimM11 — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:54:08 GMT

@TallSteve2 Are you ON a digital line with the phone connected into the back off the EE Router or through one off the remote adapter's, that is the first question, connecting up extensions to the 5c IS NOT going to work if now DV and may lead you to other issues!

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

XRaySpeX — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:01:32 GMT

@JimM11 : Even if the OP has DV with phone connected to back of router, he still has DSL BB which can be piped to the extension socket. It's only a physical matter of wired conductors.

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

TallSteve2 — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:01:45 GMT

Prior to the hiccup with the power supply to the router ( and fitting of 5C socket), the router was in the study and connected to a phone extension socket with full broadband service. Phone connected to rear of said router for DV, and another phone to their wifi gizmo ( in fact you don't need a phone plugged into router if you have these gizmos).

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

TallSteve2 — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:09:53 GMT

@XRaySpeX . Older houses were not wired for this sort of thing. I was getting my full speed BB when router connected to extension socket.

If it is deemed my own internal wiring (even though probably originally installed by GPO/BT in 70s) who do I now call on to reconnect?

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

XRaySpeX — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:16:41 GMT

You could call EE to get OR to reinstate the extension socket wiring. By rights they shouldn't charge you as the original OR eng. failed to put back the extension wiring that was already there when he replaced the original NTE5 master socket by the 5C.

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

JimM11 — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:21:17 GMT

@TallSteve2 Have the Engineer on the return visit, swap your 5c and extension socket's over and connect the feed direct through the system, keep away from the extension though unless you filter the connection! The Engineer has done it for a reason he may have seen a high error rate on the connection and that is why he bypassed and disconnected you extension connection. Then again may be nothing wrong with your wiring in your home!

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

TallSteve2 — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:30:17 GMT

@XRaySpeX . Don't think it was NTE5. More like this

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

XRaySpeX — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:41:19 GMT

OK, it's an LJU 1 or 2 Master but still has internal terminals to connect Secondaries.

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

JimM11 — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:32:33 GMT

@TallSteve2 A full 5c Master socket complete with the front plate!

5c OR Master socket complete!

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

TallSteve2 — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:38:19 GMT

@JimM11

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

TallSteve2 — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:43:07 GMT

Incidentally I have one of these on the window frame upstairs where the extension lead re-enters the house.

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

XRaySpeX — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:48:36 GMT

Yes, that's not a Master 5C Mk 4 as @JimM11 has but just the unfiltered 5C.

You last image is just a Junction Box on the incoming line before it reaches the master socket. It has no real significance other joining the incoming cable to your internal circuit.

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

TallSteve2 — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:27:16 GMT

I have had no contact from EE arranging a technical visit for extension cable reconnection. I am going on holiday. I'll worry about it when I get back. Meanwhile router remains connected to power outlet in kitchen and BB cable trails across floor through kitchen door to master socket.

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

TallSteve2 — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:38:02 GMT

Update. No contact from EE. I have had the extension socket reconnected privately. Now all hunky-dory........at least until Openreach decide to install Fibre to the Premises when it might all have to be reconfigured.

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

chrisjp1 — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:35:42 GMT

If the extension cable has been left loose and unconnected then it's easy enough to re-connect it yourself. Just lift up the clear plastic lever on the left of the master socket, insert the two wires and close it firmly. This will penetrate the insulation and make the necessary connections.

The colour code is blue with white stripe to terminal 2, and white with blue stripe to terminal 5. These two terminals are the outer ones of the three in the extension connector.

If you also have an orange with white stripe wire then this can be connected to the middle terminal - numbered 3, though this is not required for a broadband connection.

As an aside, it seems very remiss that an Openreach technician could forget to re-attach the extension cable and then express puzzlement when the extension socket didn't work!

Re: Re: Phone extension sockets, Digital Voice and broadband speed

TallSteve2 — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 18:17:57 GMT

Yes, private engineer found extension cable just loose behind new master socket. Cabling was old and there was at least 4 wires of various colours. He sorted it out and checked everything working at extension socket. Engineers well-honed knowledge will disappear when he retires.