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Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

Josh235 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 17:59:05 GMT

Hi all,

I’ve just moved into a house that had recently been moved from the old landline onto Digital Voice.

Every room in the house had a phone socket attached externally to the wall which I have been removing along with the wiring, I’ve had no issues until I removed one and the wires sparked on my pliers suggesting there was still a current passing through them, is this normal for a phone line that’s been disconnected?

As I now only rely on the one master socket where my router is plugged in is it safe to assume the the old master socket in my house is now redundant and can be removed/covered over? (Previous house owners had an extension built and moved the master socket) or is it likely the old master would have been rerouted to the new extension? The old master has numerous loose wires that aren’t connected to anything and two that are (blue and what looks like a off yellow).

I haven’t had any service issues with any of the wires I’ve removed so far.

Apologies if this question has been posted before, I had a scroll through and couldn’t find anything.

Thanks.

Re: Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

jac_95 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 18:00:09 GMT

Hi Josh235,

Thanks for the post and welcome to the Community.

This is an automated response as I can see you have a question about BT’s Digital Voice service. Rather than waiting for a response from the Community, you may find an answer to your question by using the search bar on the Community homepage. We also have a thread that contains a wealth of info related to BT’s Digital Voice, click this link to take a look, Digital Voice FAQs.

To learn more about the nationwide change to this Internet based voice service visit landlinesgo.digital

If you have already looked for the answer to your question and have not found anything that can help, then please ignore this message. One of our Community members will be along shortly to help you further.

Re: Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

licquorice — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 18:26:30 GMT

Digital Voice can be supplied by FTTC and hence copper master socket still required or by FTTP (full fibre) in which case the copper master socket is not required. Which service do you have?

Re: Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

Josh235 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 18:41:01 GMT

Hi thanks for the reply. I have Halo 3 so assuming fibre?

Re: Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

licquorice — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 18:47:05 GMT

Halo is just a benefits add on, not a technology. Does your hub plug into the master socket or a white ONT (Openreach modem)

Re: Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

jac_95 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 19:08:24 GMT

@Josh235

As @licquorice has said but thought I would give you some pictures to help:

A) Master (NTE) Socket

B) ONT

Re: Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

Josh235 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 19:30:45 GMT

Ahhhh makes sense, thank you both.

I have the Master (NTE) Socket.

The other master socket that i mentioned in the OP is a NTE5a.

Re: Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

licquorice — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 19:47:04 GMT

Sorry, I missed where you said your router was plugged into a master socket.

There shouldn't be 2 master sockets, but people sometimes use a master as an extension socket. Anything beyond the socket where the external line comes in can be removed.

I guess Openreach have just left the old unused analogue phone connection in situ hence the 50V

Re: Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

Josh235 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 20:46:35 GMT

I can only assume the old master socket that isn’t being used is the original one, pre extension. Having done some more digging into it I’m happy to remove this one as all the cables coming out of it had already been cut by a previous owner and hidden in the wall.

what is confusing me though is the line that I mentioned was sparking goes into the extension and looks as if if goes to the in use master socket, presumably there would have been an old NTE socket there pre digital voice installation hence the power still going to it? Is this safe to just cut back and hide in the wall or do I need to get someone out and have a look at the Socket to have it removed safely?

thanks for all your help so far!

Re: Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

licquorice — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 21:18:52 GMT

The wires that are sparking would have originally carried the phone line and broadband. It will still be carrying the broadband so don't cut it.

You really need to investigate how the wiring is all connected together and identify the incoming external cable.

Re: Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

Josh235 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 21:40:09 GMT

I’ll be outside tomorrow investigating!

I do know that the sparking wires were just to standard phone sockets but do lead back to the active master.

again thanks for all your help!

Re: Digital Voice Vs “old” land line

licquorice — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 22:08:39 GMT

Basically, if you just want to use the master socket for the hub, make sure the external cable connects to the A and B terminals at the rear of the socket. Any other cables connected to terminals 2&5 on the removable faceplate can be disconnected.

Just be wary of any unconventional wiring utilising extension wiring to 'backfeed' the master from an extension.