Master socket after analogue switch off

[ben34]

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.

[StuartHK]

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.

[Crimliar]

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).

[WSH]

@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.

[iniltous]

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.

[Kimberlin]

@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.

[36ULW]

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.

[HHGTTG]

I  don't have anywhere in my old 1929 semi where the ONT can be near a fixed mains socket and so I bought some discreet colour cable/flex to feed a double gang extension socket, fed from nearest mains socket some  12 feet away in the middle of the long hallway. This power supply is now on the floor below the hall window table and which below I expect the ONT to be fitted.

My fibre comes from the pole over the road as does my current old system. This is the only logical place it can go. For about half the year, the Smart Hub 2 can sit on the table there but in the Summer it will need a long Ethernet patch cable to move the hub away from the baking sun and so to place it back nearer that mains supply socket. Obviously I have curtains/blinds that can be closed if remembered in time!

[ben34]

Thanks all for the responses, I'm happy to learn. 

@StuartHK  I admit the points aren't particularly related, I guess my second point was more about there not being a simplified off the shelf solution to extend the data connection from the NTE5 without having an adaptor since for many people this is the only thing plugged into the house. I appreciate the response though,

@Crimliar  and @iniltous My query about new builds was out of context. I'm aware that new builds (developer built) must have FTTP. This was more about individuals building the odd house here and there on a bit of land they own where the fibre infrastructure isn't getting built any time soon, I assume that a copper connection would still  be provided and that this will be terminated in a soon to be obsolete NTE5? Interesting point about the ethernet network being installed new build, I wasn't aware of this. 

However, I disagree that my questions were irrelevant. In your eyes maybe, but I did state I was happy to be educated. thus they were relevant to me. Your personal level of expertise doesn't give you the right to be rude.