the best prices for a new line are where there's dial tone on an existing installation - not sure if this is the case. If you cut through BT's wiring it might increase the charge you face for the connection, if you can coil it back out of the way it might be better, an FTTC install can reposition the master for you anyway.

In reply to a post by akwilliams:

Excellent. Ill go with cutting the old and order a full package of phone and Fibre BB in the coming weeks when all the renovations are done.

Cheers for the replies guys.

So long as you understand that Openreach may charge for line repairs after you have cut it, and you include this in the cost of renovations budget, then go ahead.
If Openreach do not charge that's a bonus.

So long as you understand that Openreach may charge for line repairs after you have cut it, and you include this in the cost of renovations budget, then go ahead.
If Openreach do not charge that's a bonus.


Which is a question i did raise - as the new occupant am i responsible for the existing BT dropwire etc? If they turn up and discover its cut who is liable - as i am requesting a new line install - not a repair or reporting a fault.

If part of the Fibre Optic install incorporates moving of the Master Socket, then that's even better.

When i moved in here , there was a diconnected line outside, no master socket in the place, the most they will charge is what i new line costs normally, if that is included in a new telephony or telephony and broadband contract then you wont pay a seperate fee,

cut the line as near to the pole as you can,that should ensure you get a new drop wire from the pole , as it then be too short, no point in doing half a job, But depending on how old the cable is, it could be of better quality than what they will replace it with

Edited by tommy45 (Wed 07-Aug-13 09:17:50)

You have a legal responsibility not to damage or interfere with BTs property. That includes moving a master, cutting an incoming or drop wire.

BT will know to within a day or two when the wire was actually cut and te technicians are not blind - they will know when a customer has done something to the circuit.

A new line install covers the wiring from the pole across the road into the household.
If it's ordered as a new line as I suggested there cannot be extra fees.

I've done this myself without any issues in a property which was star wired. The dropwire came inside but didn't reappear inside, instead it was hidden in the plaster and there was no obvious place where it came out. So it was impossible to identify the master & as there were 3 masters installed & 5 other sockets I just couldn't be bothered diagnosing it all.

I just chopped the cabling outside and removed the sockets internally. I ordered a new line. When BT came out they didn't bat an eye lid. I told them it was like that when I moved in. They just replaced the whole drop cable and started a fresh.

Around 50% of the properties I've dealt with have had a damaged dropwire due to building works / it being cut outside. Especially those in virginmedia areas. People with virgin seem to love cutting away BTs wires. Don't blame them, if they're never going to use BTs line.

I'm not saying it's morally right to do this but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

I've also relocated my own master, as I wanted my router more centrally when I got FTTC and discovered the poor wireless coverage limited the speeds. Nobody batted an eye lid when I had a fault on that line.
I guess the difference is I know what I'm doing vs the average Joe Bloggs.

Edited by ukhardy07 (Wed 07-Aug-13 10:50:48)

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

A new line install covers the wiring from the pole across the road into the household.
If it's ordered as a new line as I suggested there cannot be extra fees.

I've done this myself without any issues in a property which was star wired. The dropwire came inside but didn't reappear inside, instead it was hidden in the plaster and there was no obvious place where it came out. So it was impossible to identify the master & as there were 3 masters installed & 5 other sockets I just couldn't be bothered diagnosing it all.

I just chopped the cabling outside and removed the sockets internally. I ordered a new line. When BT came out they didn't bat an eye lid. I told them it was like that when I moved in. They just replaced the whole drop cable and started a fresh.

Yes I understand and under similar circumstances I may have done the same myself, but had Openreach chosen to charge as I would have damaged their network I would not have a leg to stand on.

Edited by deleted (Wed 07-Aug-13 10:56:58)

Yes I understand and under similar circumstances I may have done the same myself, but had Openreach chosen to charge as I would have damaged their network I would not have a leg to stand on.

Agreed, I suppose it's a risk if they prove the line was damaged by them. My official advise is to keep the socket where it is (it can't be that big of an eye sore) and run an longer RJ11 cable to the router. Seems much simpler & much less to go wrong / mess with.

With the Fibre install, an engineer will visit and he will have to upgrade the master socket to a current one.

If you order a home wiring solution during the fibre order, then openreach will come out and either

1) Relocate the master (they don't have to do this, so it's upto the engineer on the day) or
2) Much more likely, keep the master where it is, upgrade it to a new style master, fit the fibre faceplate, from the current master run an extension to where you want the modem and router.

I would personally opt for this. I wouldn't bother moving the master yourself or fiddling around etc. It's a lot of hassle and really how much of an eye sore can it be where it currently is?

In my opinion it's just not worth the hassle & faffing around. Just leave it as it stands and then order fibre optic with a home wiring solution. Hopefully the engineer will relocate the socket but if not, your modem and router will be where you want it anyways.

If you are set in stone on moving the master etc, I've told you how to do it and the options I would take. Clearly openreach could question why the cables cut etc. Upto you really where you go with it.

Edited by ukhardy07 (Wed 07-Aug-13 11:04:15)

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

A new line install covers the wiring from the pole across the road into the household.
If it's ordered as a new line as I suggested there cannot be extra fees.

There are two levels of charge depending how much is present already. If there's a line in place with dial tone it's free, if it requires a line running or other work there's a charge although various special offers and discounts may cancel that out.

While one could argue that the "existing line" should be brought into service for free, it's hard to argue that if you've chopped it off.