BT Broadband Accelerator (iPlate)

Was just wondering if this item was any good.

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/Reviews.asp?Pro...

or whether the reviewert waltham [28 April 2009] was right when he said:

you dont need the iplate as the same can be done by simply disconnecting the bell wire in the master socket

Cheers

The reviewer is basically right.

Disconnecting the ring wire is 100% filtering! The iPlate does however have a tiny advantage with regard to the phone itself, in that it also reduces any modem noise getting to the phone, but most people have never heard modem noise on broadband. (Unless there is an actual fault).

So fixing the ring wire is cheaper and looks better. See this FAQ for more info.

Another very neat solution is to buy an ADSL Nation XTE-2005 filtered faceplate. That saves having a dangly filter and has a ring wire filter built in, though most people wouldn't connect the ring wire anyway. If you get one of those you need the 79p Krone (IDC) connector tool as well if there are any extensions to connect.

Have you checked there are any wires connected to the master faceplate anyway?

Edit - typos.

Edited by RobertoS (Mon 31-Aug-09 18:56:02)

Cheers RobertoS.

I have already disconnected my ring wire from the master socket. My router is connected to an extension and frankly, I am not sure whether an ADSL Nation face plate would make a worthwhile impact.

Cheers

Ah, do you mean a wired-in extension somewhere? If so then you are right.

If you mean a plug-in phone extension then they usually also have a ring wire which you cannot disconnect. Though people claim to be able to put insulation tape over T3 and T4. (T4 doesn't do anything so it's easier to tape both).

Hi

Should anyone need an I-Plate we can arrange one for you just contact us with your details and we can arrange to have one sent out.

Stuart

Just to add a couple of things to your post Stuart.

The first one is an omission from mine earlier, in that removing the ring wire would not be fully effective if a plug-in extension is being used. Might even be no help at all. So an iPlate or filtered faceplate is needed.

The second is that if the master socket is being used without a plug-in extension and there are no extensions at all in the house, (checked by looking at the back of the faceplate as in older properties there sometimes are but the current owner is unaware of them - the extension boxes may even have been removed but wiring be still present), then an iPlate confers no benefit at all.

then an iPlate confers no benefit at all

are you assuming the common mode filter in the iPlate has no beneficial effect ?

I suspect that for the vast majority of users this will offer no benefit although I presume BT must have fitted it for some reason.

It has no beneficial effect on the broadband performance, and I covered it in my previous post if you care to read back.

The first point in my post specifically adds to that post, and the second point specifically replies to Stuart offering an iPlate - in order to point out it may not be of any help anyway.

I assume you have seen the several posts from people with no extensions fitting an iPlate, and also that you are aware the common mode filter is not present in the new external NTEs.

It has no beneficial effect on the broadband performance

is that an assertion, or a statement based on practical experience / measurements or ?

Does the external NTE have a ringwire choke, or for that matter a ringwire at all ?