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Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

imogen31 — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 14:40:26 GMT

Hi,

We have ordered BT broadband and have booked an engineer installation but we already have an Openreach Master Socket 5C MK4 in our flat- will the new wifi box not just plug into this? If a new line is needed will they have to drill a new hole or can it be added to the existing line into the house? We are a first floor flat and am worried about disturbing our downstairs neighbours with drilling through their property.

Thanks.

Re: Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

Keith_Beddoe — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 14:47:26 GMT

@imogen31

Broadband is self install, so if you have an existing master socket, then all you will need to do is to plug in the BT Smart Hub 2 when it arrives. Then wait for activation.

If activation fails, then an Openreach Field Technician may have to visit.

Re: Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

imogen31 — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 14:55:41 GMT

Thanks very much for your reply @Keith_Beddoe . It is a Smart Hub 2 that is on order, but the package is 'Fibre essential'- will fibre run off the existing socket? I don't understand if there is a difference between fibre and other types of broadband... Thanks so much!

Re: Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 15:08:16 GMT

Have you been given a speed estimate? BT don't help with naming of their products but "Fibre" implies a copper connection via your phone line & up to 80mb. Full Fibre would be a new fibre optic cable & starts at 100mb, although actually 150mb.

Re: Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

Keith_Beddoe — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 15:08:54 GMT

@imogen31

Yes, the fibre is only to the street cabinet, the rest is the normal copper cable to your phone socket.

The exception to this would be if it was a full fibre connection which is the normal method for new build properties where all flats are fitted with an Optical Network Terminating Unit, which is a small unit with lights on it.

Re: Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

imogen31 — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 15:28:00 GMT

The estimate was 50mb so not a new fibre optic cable I would assume. Thanks very much for your reply @Anonymous

Re: Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

imogen31 — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 15:24:35 GMT

Thanks so much for your help @Keith_Beddoe

Re: Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 15:33:09 GMT

@imogen31wrote:
The estimate was 50mb so not a new fibre optic cable I would assume. Thanks very much for your reply @Anonymous

So as @Keith_Beddoe said, should be plug & play without an engineer visit unless there's a question mark over the line. Have you recently moved in or switching from another provider? Fibre Essential is capped at 36mb though.

Re: Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

imogen31 — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 16:43:08 GMT

@Anonymous actually yes it's 36mb, I was looking at another package. We have recently moved in and chose bt/ openreach as thought it would be easiest to use the existing line. Fingers crossed it works out! Thanks for your info

Re: Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

garybs29 — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 20:34:36 GMT

Chances are there's not been service via the openreach sysrem for a while so they have no idea theres a line there

Re: Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

iniltous — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 10:45:10 GMT

All the existence of a ‘master socket’ indicates is that the property has had working service at some point in the past , it may have been recently in use , or could have been ages ago , there shouldn’t be any need to fit another master socket, or do any ‘internal’ work that may affect your neighbours, the socket and wiring to ‘outside’ should be OK to re use.

A ‘new line’ doesn’t necessarily mean that everything has to be provided from scratch, although there will be some ‘new lines’ that are the first time the property will have been connected , the majority will reuse what already exists.
If the previous connection on that socket still exists ( just not in use ) then it’s likely that your service can be provided without a visit to the property at all , any work for the ‘engineer’ would be done outside , you may just get a text stating’your line should now be working’ but because there is a possibility that engineer access to the property could be required, you are asked to be available so access can be given.

If you have received your router etc, and haven’t already done so , you could connect it now , it’s possible that your broadband service will ( from your point of view ) simply start to work , because some external work has already been done, using the ‘routing’ information from the previous user at your address , and Openreach used that info to connect your BT service,

Re: Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

imogen31 — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 19:11:25 GMT

Hi @iniltous, this is very informative, thanks for taking the time to explain! That all makes sense.