As a telephone engineer, I’m asked regularly “can I move my BT master socket?”. The official, short, simple answer is “no”. Sorry. But..
Don’t Go Yet! There’s More To It Than “No”!
There are ways around this problem. Furthermore, I have even heard that there are independent engineers who might actually move it (allegedly… 🙂 ) for a lot less than Openreach…
There are valid reasons “why” . Also, there are ways to “move it” without actually moving it, as I explain here. I have written about the latest version BT Infinity master socket here
First of all, your BT master socket isn’t “yours” anyway – it’s actually the property of the former independent subsidiary of BT called Openreach, They are a neutral supplier and maintainer of wires to your house, whether you get your internet from BT, or not. Sadly, you can’t deal with them direct. Your provider will mobilise them.
It’s a bit like your gas and electricity meter. it belongs to your provider. It’s their property. Openreach can potentially either “walk away” from sorting out faults when their equipment has been moved without their permission. Also, they could charge somewhere around £150 to put things right. They’ll charge you roughly the same to move it, too. Talktalk charge slightly less.
However, I’d ask “Why you need to move it in the first place…?”
Your BT master socket is actually “your friend”
When it comes to solving problems with your service. Take the small front cover off. You’re then at the border between you and provider . If you plug into the socket behind the small front cover and still have problems with your broadband or phone, it’s your not your fault – it’s most certainly theirs. And the fault can be passed over to them to fix without fear of any charges coming your way.
Your BT master socket is a very quick and easy way of isolating faults. This will be the first action any customer service agent will ask you to do. If you’ve messed with it yourself, and caused a fault, then you risk a charge. I’ve written a case study on this here.
It’s Designed to Connect Around Your Home.
If you do need to move a phone socket, then simply wire one to your master socket, even if it’s a case of it being a few inches away. It’s designed to have extensions attached to it, and it’s not hard to attach them, It can be a bit fiddly for the unfamiliar. If you ask Openreach to move the BT master socket, they will charge somewhere around £150. You may have to wait a fair while for the work to be done. It’s not worth the wait, cost, or hassle.
Your Router Has Helpful Little Data Sockets That Can Solve The Problem
If you want to plug your broadband straight into it to improve performance, but have your PC or laptop elsewhere, then there’s another way of doing this. If you have space, plug your broadband hub directly into the master socket. Next, connect an ethernet socket into it using an ethernet lead (known professionally as a cat 5 patch lead). Finally, run another permanent cable, terminated on the pins on the back of the socket. Then plug in your device into another identical socket at the far end. This keeps your broadband data well away from any interference from the phone wiring in the house. Also, you’ll find that your broadband speed may increase. Don’t move your master socket
Add Another Identical Socket To Run As A High-Quality Extension Socket
As I describe in another post, here’s an alternative. You can separate your broadband signal at the master socket and cable it to a broadband-only point elsewhere. This is similar to the solution proposed above. However,it takes the feed “at source” from the master socket. How?
Later-model master sockets (Mk3 and Mk4) have pins marked “A” and “B” (in addition to 2, 3, and 5). These are specifically designed to provide a “filtered” broadband signal. This is separate from any extension wiring (and interference). Therefore, run a cable from front-most A and B on the master, to a specially-installed data socket for your modem lead. An instant new broadband-friendly outlet!. No need to move your BT master socket.
And Talktalk have a a useful page here, too.
If All Else Fails, Help is Not Far Away!
If you are in The North East, and this all sounds far too difficult, don’t worry. I am a telephone engineer based in Stockton on Tees. My charges are lower than Openreach.
Sadly, I can’t always offer remote customer service free of charge, and answer questions in the comments area below. However, If I do, please return the favour. Click here and leave some Facebook or Google feedback.
I network with similar-minded independent experienced engineers across the UK. Many who are escapees from BT. I probably know someone somewhere that can help even if you are not local to me. Again, if you can help with some feedback, or a few words of thanks in a review on Google, that helps me to earn a living.
So, “Can I move my BT master socket?” Well, maybe… 😉