Engineer install booked but we already have a Openreach master socket

[imogen31]

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.

[Keith_Beddoe]

@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.

[imogen31]

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!

[rbz5416]

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.

[Keith_Beddoe]

@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.

[imogen31]

The estimate was 50mb so not a new fibre optic cable I would assume. Thanks very much for your reply @rbz5416 

[imogen31]

Thanks so much for your help @Keith_Beddoe

[rbz5416]

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@imogen31wrote:

The estimate was 50mb so not a new fibre optic cable I would assume. Thanks very much for your reply @rbz5416 

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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.

[imogen31]

@rbz5416 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

[garybs29]

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