Thanks. I agree with you that if you are mainly downstairs then that is
1/ where the router should be, or
2/ at least a WAP (wireless access point) connected to the router by ethernet.
3/ You may even find success using homeplugs to connect the WAP to the router using the mains wiring or
4/ lastly using wireless to effect the connection.
I listed these in descending order of preference.

Unfortunately you have some hookey wiring probably done by an equally hookey BT bod which I'm sure BT will be happy to charge you £130 to change. Further you could be on dodgy ground if you mess with the mess yourself.

What would help if you're still keen to have a go is to remove the next 2 screws from the next faceplate and get a picture of the wiring behind - on both sockets

Edited by deleted (Thu 17-Aug-17 14:13:01)

Speaking with an openreach friend, he states backwiring is a big no-no in the training, but claims they "do it all the time." Apparently they get a slap on the wrist if that install gets audited

I bet they would, because either way it's going to cost the customer money which only annoys the customer.

Why on earth didn't they fit a standard extension socket as a replacement for the NTE5 downstairs? The OP appears to have two other extensions wired (with bell wires connected) to that downstairs NTE5 faceplate both carrying filtered voice. Also it looks like the blue/white and white/blue wires are carrying filtered voice from the upstairs filtered faceplate to the back of the downstairs NTE5 thus making a connection to the front plate via the test socket.

The downstairs NTE5 has now presumably been rendered unusable for its original purpose so one option would be to replace the downstairs NTE5A, fit a Mk3 filtered faceplate on it and fit a standard extension socket upstairs and do some very simple rewiring,

Here are the photos:

http://imgur.com/a/Q6rJq

In reply to a post by mxnmx:

Here are the photos:

http://imgur.com/a/Q6rJq

Looks like you also have two other extension sockets for phone use only when both the pictured downstairs and upstairs faceplates are fully refitted?

Yes this property had 2 other extension sockets - which are not being used anymore - we ripped the cabling & sockets out (from the installation point) out whilst decorating. So at present there are only 2 sockets...

In reply to a post by 4M2:

so one option would be to replace the downstairs NTE5A, fit a Mk3 filtered faceplate on it and fit a standard extension socket upstairs and do some very simple rewiring,

To be honest - I don't need the extension socket upstairs. I can re-wire the downstairs socket with a new NTE5 plate...my question is- will that work?

If I were to remove downstairs socket, disconnect all cables and then re-wire to a new NTE5 plate - will that work? I don't really need the extension socket in the loft.

In reply to a post by mxnmx:

Yes this property had 2 other extension sockets - which are not being used anymore - we ripped the cabling & sockets out (from the installation point) out whilst decorating. So at present there are only 2 sockets...

But you left part of the extension cabling to those two other sockets still connected to the downstairs NTE5 faceplate?

It will work but best if you can correctly identify where the BT line comes in from the outside.