Replacing Sky Phone Socket

Rowan88 · 5 Feb 2019 at 12:42

Hi,

I am going to be doing up my living room and I wanted to fit a fresh phone socket box for my Sky Fibre Max.

Is there a certain type of master socket I need to purchase and how easy are they to change over?

Cheers

Avalon · 5 Feb 2019 at 12:52

Technically you can't touch the master socket, it's the providers property and in the event of a fault you risk having to pay the callout charge if they blame your equipment/work. Realistically why not just clean what you have? Failing that NTE5c + suitable faceplate depending on what connection you have.

Rowan88 · 5 Feb 2019 at 17:44

Ahh, I thought it was ok to just replace the box aslong as I don't touch the backplate/wiring.

Do you know if SKY can replace these or do they charge stupid amounts of money as usual

I just don't want to fit a yellowy horrible box back onto a freshly gpyroc'd wall.

bremen1874 · 5 Feb 2019 at 17:59

How can you replace the box without touching the backplate/wiring?

The socket belongs to Openreach. I'm sure Sky could arrange for Openreach to replace it (wouldn't be cheap, probably just over £100 IIRC).

They aren't difficult to replace, and I'd risk it (and keep hold of the old socket so I could put it back if I ever needed to).

andicole0 · 5 Feb 2019 at 18:05

You could just get a Net5c from Amazon and just use the cover.
It does seem Sky don't respond to tbis sort of request. It needs to be done by Openreach but requested by your provider.
Is it possible the master socket is actually broken?? What would Sky do then?
Andi.

TJM · 5 Feb 2019 at 19:36

Are you sure the socket in the living room is the master socket and not an extension? You can do what you like with an extension but, as said above, replacing a master socket entirely (rather than just the face plate) is a job for Openreach.

Rowan88 · 5 Feb 2019 at 20:21

Yeah pretty sure its the master as its the only one in my house I know about lol.

So it would be a NTE5A master socket I need to get.

Is wiring it dangerous? Or is it just a case of disconnecting and reconnecting?

What is the difference between NTE5A and C

andicole0 · 5 Feb 2019 at 20:51

You will probably get away with just replacing the front plate, leaving the acual wired part in place. Have a look inside and check whst sirt of box you have. Pictures would be good.
Andi.

Caged · 5 Feb 2019 at 21:47

Take a photo of what you're talking about

Rowan88 · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:49

Here is a photo of the socket.

What kind should I buy to replace this horrendous old thing lol?

Its about £5 for a NTE5A with backbox.. or £10 for NTE5C which has the two ports on front instead of using a microfilter. Would save kids kicking it out lol.

bremen1874 · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:58

If you cleaned all of that paint off it and gave it a clean would probably look okay.

If you want to replace it buy an NTE5a or NTE5c. The NTE5c is what they currently install.

Rowan88 · 6 Feb 2019 at 16:11

So I can just buy a openreach nte5c with the vdsl front panel and that will work with sky fibre and lets me get rid of the microfilter too?

bremen1874 · 6 Feb 2019 at 16:14

You can, but you're obviously not supposed to. Your choice.

A VDSL faceplate for the existing socket would hide most of it.

Caged · 6 Feb 2019 at 16:57

Yes, you can replace it with an NTE5c with a filtered faceplate. They are very easy to install - but keep that grotty thing around to swap back if you have any trouble so when Openreach come out they don't get suspicious.

andicole0 · 6 Feb 2019 at 17:03

If it works and you have any doubt about the swap yourself I would be inclined to build a box around it.
But you could just clean it and maybe just level it a bit.
Or you could move a heavy piece of furniture too close to it and accidentally break it.
Andi.

Rowan88 · 6 Feb 2019 at 20:28

Is there any speed benefit from a NTE5A or C??

Im assuming I have a NTE5A currently?

Caged · 6 Feb 2019 at 20:47

The C is newer and is all that Openreach install now. The filters clip on and off the front. There’s no obvious performance differences between them.

Rowan88 · 6 Feb 2019 at 21:02

Thanks..

I have ordered a NTE5C MK4 which apparently is the latest they have. It also comes with the vdsl frontplate which does away with the splitter... and if its too bulky ill just take it off and get normal bottom plate.

Hopefully ill get it installed fine on Friday but if not expect me back.

Is it safe to cut the wires or are they live?

Cheers for the help guys...

Also I have sky.. so even if they sent an engineer out they wouldn't know i fitted it would they.. could have been owners before me lol..

V F · 6 Feb 2019 at 21:22

bremen1874 said:
How can you replace the box without touching the backplate/wiring?

The socket belongs to Openreach. I'm sure Sky could arrange for Openreach to replace it (wouldn't be cheap, probably just over £100 IIRC).

They aren't difficult to replace, and I'd risk it (and keep hold of the old socket so I could put it back if I ever needed to).

Pretty sure Openreach told me it was £150.

bremen1874 · 6 Feb 2019 at 23:04

Rowan88 said:
Also I have sky.. so even if they sent an engineer out they wouldn't know i fitted it would they.. could have been owners before me lol..

What has Sky got to do with anything? The socket belongs to Openreach whoever you have for an ISP.

If you fit a brand new shiny master socket today and then callout Openreach in a weeks time it's going to be pretty obvious that you've been messing with it. In two years time who's to say.

I've never heard of anyone getting into any trouble for changing a socket, but it could theoretically happen. That's why you get the warnings.

The wires are live, but it's only lowish voltage DC. You aren't going to hurt yourself but be careful not to short them.

There must be installation guides out there if you search, but almost any idiot can disconnect and reconnect two wires. With the modern sockets you don't even need tools to connect the wires.