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Master socket after analogue switch off

ben34 — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 09:03:15 GMT

This is a pretty convoluted question and I'm fully prepared to be educated, but as I understand it, analogue phone lines get switched off in Jan 2027, but I don't see a neat solution for the modern world.

A standard master socket NTE5C ,which I assume are still being installed in new properties, will have a socket on the front that is dead. Long term you would like to believe that everyone will get FTTP and have an ONT and make the NTE5 master socket a thing of the past. But realistically this isn't going to happen for quite some time.

I have two issues:

1. Installation of equipment that is redundant. Why isn't there a new version of the NTE5 that does away with the phone socket because let's face facts, landline usage is on a rapid decline. Clean it up with a single RJ11 socket and be done with it.

2. Older houses may not have a 230v plug socket near the master socket, making plugging in a router to the master socket inconvenient. Most master sockets are on an outside wall, and routers ideally want to be positioned centrally in a property. Extension kits generally consist of a telephone extension and a plug in adaptor. Isn't it time we normalised the RJ11 socket to have on the wall to give flexibility on router palcement. Yes they exist but are about 4 times the price of a tel socket when there's fundamentally very little difference.

Re: Master socket after analogue switch off

StuartHK — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 10:17:35 GMT

They’re not going to waste money on that. My NTE5 is now completely redundant since I went over to FTTP. Looks neat and tidy enough though. Push comes to shove, once the line is disconnected, you can always just fit a blanking plate over the backbox.

1). What’s the point in spending money on that? When everyone is on FTTP, the RJ11 just becomes redundant anyway. Complete waste of money at this stage. Builders are only fitting phone sockets now if the area can still get new copper connections. A lot can’t, so only an incompetent builder would fit one in such an area.

2). I don’t see how the one relates to the other. If you want the router central, (only an issue if you don’t run a separate wireless access point), you are still going to have to run an extension from the NTE. And if that extension is wired in properly, it doesn’t use the sockets at all. It connects directly to the back of the faceplate.

Re: Master socket after analogue switch off

Crimliar — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 11:02:42 GMT

New houses around here don't have an NTE5 fitted! Externally they get a CSP either from OpenReach or in some cases Virgin! This connects by conduit to a blanked off box inside the property. Some of these blanked off boxes are not as conveniently located as builders used to manage with the old phone lines (personal opinion).

Re: Master socket after analogue switch off

WSH — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 11:02:57 GMT

@ben34 It's not too clear what you are actually after here, but if its a faceplate with an RJ11 socket, try a search on Amazon for this:

Openreach master phone socket NTE5C MK2 + MK4 Faceplate

Sorry, forum rules don't allow me to post commercial links, so you'll just have to put that expression in the search bar.

Re: Master socket after analogue switch off

iniltous — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:01:23 GMT

You make a completely incorrect assumption when you say NTE5c are installed in new builds , the Government have directions that new homes need to be Gb capable, and for a decade or more Openreach have supplied (presuming it’s Openreach the developer has decided to contract to meet the Government requirements ) FTTP infrastructure for many years , so your basic assumption is wrong , FTTP is and has been the default network provision into new builds for a very long time , the exact terms have varied over time , like how many units need to be constructed before the developer gets the entire network free of charge , very small developments may have needed the developer to contribute towards the network build costs etc in the past , but NTE5c are not the default network demarcation, the ONT is , and the developer knows to provides a power outlet adjacent to where they decide the ONT is to be located, this is done at first fix , not retrospectively fitted ..so new builds have no redundant equipment fitted , if a developer wants to provide telephony sockets around the property instead of a Ethernet sockets that’s their choice , the developers I’m familiar with tend to provide an Ethernet network so the router can be sited in a few locations depending on the customer requirements, and not necessarily co-located with the ONT , and these extra Ethernet sockets tend to be like extra power outlets , extras you pay for over and above the basic house price .

Retro fitted FTTP in areas that originally had copper pairs don’t need the ONT to be fitted where the existing NTE is located unless that’s what the householder wants , the ONT is normally sited near a power outlet but should the customer want to use an mains extension cord that’s up to then , as is having the router located away from the ONT , if they want to arrange an Ethernet patch panel for example, or run a long Ethernet cable to the location of the router , they are at liberty to do that , thats not the network providers problem .

Basically both your questions are irrelevant as they point to issues that don’t exist.

Re: Master socket after analogue switch off

Kimberlin — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:36:51 GMT

@ben34 I’ve lived in a new build property now for 5 years. It was FTTP/ONT fitted, there is no BT Master socket. We don’t have any form of landline, we just use WiFi calling over mobile.

Re: Master socket after analogue switch off

36ULW — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 16:52:32 GMT

All new Builds have FTTP Installed as standard now and have done for some time.

Even so FTTP doesn’t necessarily need to negate the need/use of British Standard NTE5’s as you could still wire them up to be used with DV.