2 Phone lines down a single cable?

[NvidiaDan]

Hey guys,

Got an engineer coming on the 20th to install a new line in to a flat above our garage in the garden.

The only issue is the next door neighbors garage stands between ours and the telephone pole meaning there is no easy way to take a new cable off the pole and run it over to the buliding.

When we laid the rest of the services to the building we also ran a CAT5 from the house to the building.

Some people I have spoken too seem to think it is possible to take 2 lines down one cable meaning it may be possible to connect the CAT5 somehow to our existing line and use it as the line in to the flat?

Failing that I'm not sure what the options will be for the engineer. I requested a site survey when I placed the order but I was assured one was not necessary Sounds like more than an afternoons work anyway!

Anyone else had any experiences with having a line installed in to an outbuilding?

Thanks

 

[Sin_Chase]

Physically you could run 2 telephone lines over a single run of cat5. 1 pair per telephone line. There are 4 pairs in a run of cat5.

The question will be whether the 2 twisted pairs will suitably run both lines without excessive interference, part of this will be down to the quality of the cable and the twisted pairs themselves.

 

[NvidiaDan]

Hm, I'm no expert but I think I understand what you are saying. But is there also enough wires in the existing cable from the pole to be split in to 2 lines?

Either way it sounds like it will be a bit of a bodge job at best.

Think I may just have to wait for the engineer to turn up and watch him scratch his head for a while.

 

[~Divine~Wind~]

As whichever company the engineer works for would be "responsible" for that line I very much doubt they'll connect up Random CAT5 and would far prefer to use their own external grade cabling.

AFAIK the overhead cables used for PSTN can indeed be used for 2 lines.

What about having the main socket situated in the main building and then an extension ran to the flat?

 

[Orcvader]

It's possible. I had a cousin who stayed over for a bit who works with BT and had his own broandband installed. It used the same cable but with two different pairs. Not sure on yours but the line coming into my home has 6 wires inside, so a total of 3 pairs. It didn't affect my service either so it will be fine.

 

[StrongSad]

If there are pairs free then they will do it.
However
They will also put a new drop wire in regardless of the garage if possible. If that was not possible, (access, permission) then they might kick off a bit as it means they cant support your existing service. If the garage was built after the original service was installed, they will ask why BT were not asked to shift it as part of the planning application.

They wont attach or use any customer supplied wires,equipment without a demarcation DP (master socket in this case) or a Jumper frame, as the network is supported from that point back.
They are very reluctant to connect anything to the network that is in there space.

However if the engineers feel they are stuck they will call for a survey to resolve it.