Can I get EE to (get a BT engineer to) fit a free faceplate?

I recently moved into a flat, and got EE broadband. (wanted sky, but that's another story :@)

I want to maximise the speed I can get...

the flat has phone lines in 3 different rooms, so i was going to order a faceplate as i have done before to filter from the master socket and eliminate unnecessary noise/interference.

But, i opened the "master socket" as found this....

http://www.harmeetnannua.com/pics/2013-09-16%2012.50...

The distribution of lines seems to be done by grouping cables before the socket, rather than with a test socket/faceplate as i'd hoped.

i dont want to have to go through the long process of working out which wire is which, i don't have equipment like multimeter and long wiring to test this at the moment. also, im sure im not technically allowed to alter any of this.

so my question is, as i pay line rental, do i have the right to request an engineer out to fit a proper wall socket (NTE5), that has a test socket which is distributed with a faceplate? (in which case i can get an adsl filtered faceplate)..... or, would it be a cost i must pay to replace the old fixed plate?

You are right not to mess around with it - technically it is pre-master and thus only BT should alter it. It does look like a well done install with the correct crimps used to group 4 wires together.

The socket itself dates from back in 1987 - so it s likely to have been there a long long time and that is how some multi-room installs were done.

If the socket itself is faulty you could get BT to repair it which would result in replacement but if you want it done for your reasons it is almost certainly a chargeable visit.

What are the ADSL stats? You might already be going fast enough that not much to be gained anyway.

The cost would be £30 (inc VAT)
http://www.bt.com/pricing/current/Exch_Lines_boo/2-0...

In the OP's case would the extensions also not be demarcated?

Back in te 80's you could rent a line and extensions from the GPO and then BT so demarcation did not exist in the same way.

It would be interesting to see the insides of the secondary sockets.

That looks like terminals 2, 3 and 5 are connected.

The signals are carried on 2 and 5. T3 is the ring/bell wire, and isn't needed with most modern phones, and not even with other types so long as you have a reasonable quality dangly filter supplying it. Modern phones don't need it, and decent danglies supply the ring signal anyway.

It's the ring/bell wire that screws up broadband.

Gently remove the connection to T3 and all should be well. As long as there aren't any "split pairs" in the wiring higher up. You don't normally need to worry about the ring wire at the extensions.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

The cost would be £30 (inc VAT)
http://www.bt.com/pricing/current/Exch_Lines_boo/2-0...

Isn't there also the visit charge Andrew? Unless some other work is being done, and AIUI it should be replaced free anyway then.

But is it legit to even mess with the bell wires in the OP's case?

No, it is not.