This topic

openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

iamverytired — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 23:32:10 GMT

Hello,

I bought a broadband package 5 days ago and just received my Smart Hub 2. I originally scheduled for someone to set it up for me but I received an email saying it wasn't needed -- because there is an openreach master socket in my new flat, I assume.

Unfortunately, it seems like an older model (or something unrelated to broadband?) called NEW BT NTE5, and the ethernet cable doesn't plug in.

I tried logging into my BT account to see if I could configure my Hub to work without an ethernet cable but I apparently waited too long to to activate my ID because I am stuck in a loop of error messages telling me my ID isn't verified, even as I request new verification emails.

What can I do? I'll call customer service tomorrow but I'm trying my luck here as well as I need Wi-Fi pretty urgently. Thanks!

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

licquorice — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 07:17:21 GMT

An NTE5c is a master socket that supplies copper delivered broadband. You need to connect an RJ11 - RJ11 cable to DSL socket on the hub, it is not an Ethernet cable that is required.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 07:52:11 GMT

We've seen instances before where the required DSL/RJ11 cable is missing from the router box. I don' t know if that's just an error from the manufacturer or if BT have different packages for FTTC & FTTP.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

WSH — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 08:53:59 GMT

@Anonymous

They do indeed seem have two different versions. The one I got from BT was an FTTC version with an RJ11 cable. A second one I obtained was for FTTP with just ethernet cables. The Smart Hub 2's themselves are identical, in fact.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

iamverytired — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:19:28 GMT

thanks so much, so if I get my hands on an RJ11/DSL cable, will it work on both ends? the broadband and ethernet ports on the back of the Hub are all the same shape.

(I can work that out on my own, but is this something I can find in any electronics store?)

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

WSH — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:52:28 GMT

They are not necessarily the same shape. You say the broadband and ethernet ports are the same. There are two setups here:

FTTC, "Fibre", which is based on the old copper phone lines. It uses an RJ11 phone cable from the phone master socket to the DSL port on the Smart Hub. (Some newer phone sockets will also take an ethernet (RJ45) cable but it still needs RJ11 at the hub DSL port).

FTTP, "Full Fibre", which is based on fibre optic cables. It uses an ethernet cable from a box on the wall with lights on it known as an ONT, (Optical Network Termination), to an ethernet socket on the back of the Smart Hub. This is ethernet port 4 and marked "WAN". It also needs to be enabled for FTTP mode in the Smart Hub management pages.

Obviously, which you use depends on which you have.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

iamverytired — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:13:54 GMT

Thanks for keeping up with me, I’m new to all this and english acronyms especially 🫡

Based on your description, it seems like I need an FTTC - since I have this NTE5c master socket and nothing else - but I only got ethernet cables fit for FTTP.

After closer inspection, the “broadband” port on the hub (that’s the DSL, right?) is slightly different from the WAN and ethernet ports. If I understand correctly, I just need a RJ11 cable with two different ends, one that fits into my NTE5c socket and one into my DSL hub port, and then I’m set with an FTTC?

(I want to post pictures but it’s not working…)

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

licquorice — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:15:14 GMT

Yes, you need a cable with an RJ11 plug at each end.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:17:07 GMT

Yes, & no!

Unfortunately there are two standards for the cable, straight & crossover. So you need the right one, or order one of each.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

WSH — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:50:40 GMT

Yes, that's spot on. (As Licquorice says).

If you have an old router with an RJ11 cable that cable will probably work.

Edit: Crossover or straight through works with the Smart hub.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

iamverytired — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:48:11 GMT

I went to Curry’s and they confidently gave me a cable that didn’t fit, would anyone happen to have a link to a model that might before I try another location?

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:12:16 GMT

What is the description on the packet?

Does your master socket have a single port or two?

Depending on what Currys gave you Screwfix have on under code 76702HS. Sorry, but I can't post a direct link.

Hopefully @WSH is correct & the router has been modified to accept either cable.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

WSH — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:27:29 GMT

@iamverytired

Both RJ45 (Ethernet) and RJ11 (DSL) are the same shape but RJ45's are bigger. They have 8 pins whereas RJ11 have 2 or 4 pins (with spaces for up to 6 in the plug body). Unfortunately, we can't post a link to a commercial site as it is against forum rules.

@Anonymous

Both straight-through and crossover work as I've used both on my own hub.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

WSH — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:05:24 GMT

@iamverytired

I’m trying to work out how Curry’s could give you a cable that doesn’t fit.

A thought has just occurred to me. If that is a very old BT socket it might be a single socket for a phone only. If this is the case, you need a small box known as a ‘microfilter’. This plugs into the phone socket and provides two sockets. An RJ11 for the internet and a phone socket for the phone. If BT had supplied the right lead one would be in the box but not if they only supplied ethernet cables.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

iamverytired — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:18:01 GMT

So the cable I got earlier was a CAT6 ethernet cable @Anonymous , but I also bought a RJ11 just because that’s what you guys had recommended (thankfully.)

@WSH yes you’re correct about the old socket, I went to a different location and they told me to get a micro-filter, and that it would work with the cable I’d gotten earlier. The micro-filter fits my socket, but not the cable. It DOES fit the RJ11 I bought separately, which matches what you’re saying. I’m able to plug the RJ11 into the ethernet ports of my hub in turn, but I’m guessing something’s wrong with this set-up since the hub is still flashing purple.

Not sure where to go from here, still trying to get in touch with BT.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

licquorice — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:19:12 GMT

You don't plug the cable into an Ethernet socket, it goes in the DSL socket.

The micro filter plugs into the NTE 5c phone (bt431) socket and provides both a phone socket and RJ11 socket. You then connect the double ended RJ11 cable into the RJ11 socket in the filter and the DSL socket on the hub.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

WSH — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:20:23 GMT

The RJ11 connects to the grey DSL port on the hub. As I mentioned earlier, RJ11 is smaller version of RJ45 so the RJ11 may well fit the RJ45 port but it will not work that way.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

iamverytired — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:25:54 GMT

Right sorry I mixed my ports! I plugged the RJ11 into the broadband port and now the hub is blue!!

Still no internet, but that’s real progress

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

WSH — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:29:20 GMT

If you've got a computer connected to that you will need to reboot the computer so it picks up the correct IP address.

Re: openreach master socket port shape is wrong - can't verify BT ID

licquorice — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:31:26 GMT

Hmm, if the hub is blue you should have internet. How are you connecting to the hub, WiFi or Ethernet? If Ethernet make sure you are not using port 4 unless you have disabled FTTP mode in the hub manager.