In reply to a post by MHC:

What type of master socket do they have? A modern or an old one? If it needs updating then that may be one way.

They don't have a photo or any details, but it's apparently about 15 years old, if that helps! (To clarify - they're currently staying with me in London, so there's no way for them to describe it except from memory. Once they're back in Belfast they could probably have a look, but they'll have no way to send a photo since they don't have internet...)

Edited by timjon (Sat 01-Nov-14 17:55:48)

In which case you can probably relax if they have a modern NTE5. I doubt if they will be wanting 6 simultaneous video streams. If it's an older master socket, as MHC says, BT need to be told that at order time.

What do they want to use it for?

All they need to tell us about the master in the cupboard is whether it has the split across the middle where the bottom part can be unscrewed. If it is solid, like the extension then it's an old one.

Don't put them in a panic. Even with an old one, they will almost certainly be OK with a self-install, with a dangly filter in the extension. As I just asked, it would be an idea if you know what they intend to do with the broadband.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

All they need to tell us about the master in the cupboard is whether it has the split across the middle where the bottom part can be unscrewed. If it is solid, like the extension then it's an old one.

Don't put them in a panic. Even with an old one, they will almost certainly be OK with a self-install, with a dangly filter in the extension. As I just asked, it would be an idea if you know what they intend to do with the broadband.

Thanks for the reassurance, that's good to know. The primary motivation is for Skyping so they can talk to their grandchildren (our children), so they'll need decent-ish bandwidth, but I'd guess 3 Mbits each way would be plenty. So hopefully it will work fine with the extension. I'll get them to find out whether the socket has a line across it when they get back to Ireland in about a week and then post back!

Micro filters on extension should in theory give speeds un the impacted range which are more than enough for video conferencing and faster than what I do all my online stuff with.

A decent webcam like the Logitech C920 USB will help to get the best out of chats.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Micro filters on extension should in theory give speeds un the impacted range which are more than enough for video conferencing and faster than what I do all my online stuff with.

Quite .

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Even with an old one, they will almost certainly be OK with a self-install, with a dangly filter in the extension. As I just asked, it would be an idea if you know what they intend to do with the broadband.

There is a remote possibility of something more difficult, but the only answer to that is to ensure an engineer install. Even that is far from being guaranteed a success, as you know.

Edited by RobertoS (Sat 01-Nov-14 21:29:41)

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Micro filters on extension should in theory give speeds un the impacted range which are more than enough for video conferencing and faster than what I do all my online stuff with.

A decent webcam like the Logitech C920 USB will help to get the best out of chats.

Thanks, that's really reassuring to know. We actually have the C920 outselves, I agree it's excellent! The Grandparents are going to get an iPad, though; given that they've never used the internet before it seemed like the safest option to avoid them getting hopelessly infected within the first week, especially since I can't just go round to provide technical support.

Having just tried to get BT Infinity 1 (which failed as we're an Exchange Only line but that's another story) we had an Openreach sub contractor turn up to do the installs - this was to trace where the line line out in the cabinet. They said they could use the internal phone wiring to connect the master to the router location. NB BT do NOT recommend using the phone wiring. In the end I persuaded him (the phone wiring is old and went via living room/bedroom and then to the study) to get the data extension kit with me routing it up to the loft and then down to where the router was. The contractor had all the equipment to do this and is was free of charge.

As long as you have the newer split master socket then the new cover plate fits over the top.

Morning Timjon

As they do not have Internet at present, it may be worth-while getting the Phone Line Length from the Exchange in lieu of ADSL results.

https://windows.mouselike.org/be/index.asp?DoAction=...

Preferably using their Phone Number.

Otherwise, try to measure the distance, such as on Google Earth.

Keeping in mind that the BT Ducts may not follow the "obvious" route!

And as BT Infinity is FTTC, ie the part-distance from the PCP (Local grey/green distribution cabinet), that PCP to House Distance as well, as it becomes much more critical.

-------------------------

Also ask them to do a Quiet Line Test on their present phone BEFORE any Broadband is connected up.

If there is noise on the line, this can upset Broadband of any type; and is easier to detect and have sorted before Broadband complicates things.

Dial 17070 (No charge)

Option 2 (Art most a very quiet hum, preferably nothing.)

Edited by deleted (Sun 02-Nov-14 10:12:05)

In reply to a post by eckiedoo:

Morning Timjon

As they do not have Internet at present, it may be worth-while getting the Phone Line Length from the Exchange in lieu of ADSL results.

https://windows.mouselike.org/be/index.asp?DoAction=...

Preferably using their Phone Number.

Otherwise, try to measure the distance, such as on Google Earth.

Keeping in mind that the BT Ducts may not follow the "obvious" route!

Thanks, that's handy!