This topic

Removal of BT Open Reach box

jh9 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:17:50 GMT

Hi all, we have an old BT Open Reach box that we would like removed from our flat as we are now with Hyperoptic. The previous occupier was with BT with Copper Broadband but we have never used it or set up an account.

BT are saying contact Open Reach, but Open Reach are saying BT needs to contact them. BT are now saying they can't do anything as we don't have an account with them.

We just want to get the box removed properly. Please can someone offer some advice?

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

gg30340 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:20:25 GMT

What "box" are you refering to?

If it is just a phone socket, just remove it your self or get an electrician to remove it.

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

jh9 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:24:20 GMT

Thanks - it's just the white Open Reach Master Socket box with the ethernet socket connecting to the copper broadband. We want to get rid of it to fill in the wall.

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

gg30340 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:25:10 GMT

You have tried to contact Openreach and as they would appear to not care about it I would just remove it and blank it off.

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

jh9 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:26:46 GMT

Great, thanks for your advice - that's what I'm leaning towards.

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

WSH — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:48:32 GMT

The problem will be that Openreach are not public facing. Their customer is the ISP, so you need to go through an ISP to get to Openreach.

As has been said though, they don't care so long as you don't cause them any problems. You could remove the socket, protect the ends of any cables so they don't short against the backbox, then just put a blanking plate on it.

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

jh9 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:55:35 GMT

Thank you. Is this something that an electrician could do for me? Just want to make sure it's good and proper.

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

iniltous — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:07:16 GMT

Do you rent or own the flat ? , although you may never consider anything other than your FTTP provider, if you rent and subsequently move out , the next tenant may want to use Openreach , in which case you should ask the landlord if you can remove it as it’s not really your choice to make , TBH , the same could apply even if you are the owner as far as any subsequent occupant …but ultimately no one is checking, if you remove the socket /wiring no one will know , you just make it difficult to restore service over Openreach (not BT) should that ever be needed……if Openreach FTTP is available or becomes available, then it’s effectively redundant as it would never be reused .

As far as removing it ‘properly’ , BT are not involved, in some respects posting about it here a little pointless, and Openreach are not going to remove it for you ,when the flat was built , this socket was an integral part of it , and an easement for it to exist was part of the construction , but if it’s such an issue, and you want it removed , you need to do it yourself.

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

licquorice — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:01:09 GMT

It would take all of 30 seconds to do it yourself. Just disconnect the wires and tape the ends so no bare wire and then fit a blanking plate obtainable at any DIY shed.

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

jh9 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:04:06 GMT

Thank you for the advice. I'm sensing the general feedback is to remove it myself which I'm happy to do so - I've done my diligence with both Open Reach and BT!

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

jh9 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:04:33 GMT

Thank you for your advice, that's great.

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

Jane2018 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 18:21:34 GMT

If you are tenant the position is completely different from if you are the owner of the flat. If you are a tenant leave it alone as the previous tenants might want to go back to FTTC and need the wiring and socket and the tenancy contract almost certainly will contain a clause about this kind of thing - read it. If you are a home owner do what people say above. I did a major removal job all round our large house this summer and I won't bore everyone with the details but it involved removing loads of the openreach/BT marked boxes you describe inside the house which are openreach property but I felt happy to remove as I don't think would ever go from fibre to the premises with Community Fibre (BT don't offer it to us) back to BT FTTC.

There is nothing electric in these open reach boxes in the house (I used an electrician for different works removing a piece of electricity cable of course). You will need a screw driver and you will want to make good - fill the hole, sand over, paint after you finish

Re: Removal of BT Open Reach box

gg30340 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 19:20:34 GMT

@jh9

Twelve posts just to say, remove it yourself.

Openreach will be none the wiser and who cares what happens if you happen to move out. Openreach will just install another one if it is needed.

Please pick a post and mark it as the solution.