Improving ADSL SNR

BT Master Socket - NTE5

When you have broadband/ADSL problems the first thing your internet provider asks you to do is to "try the test socket". Often they don't explain why - or they may just say try the "master socket" which is a slightly different thing.

Why use the BT TEST socket?

The reason you use the TEST socket which is revealed by removing the lower part of the faceplate - see photos opposite, is to ensure that your internal phone wiring or phone equipment isn't interfering with your broadband connection. If you don't plug directly into the TEST socket then you still aren't ensuring you have the best possible connection and eliminated other possible causes that could be causing poor internet speeds or problems.

Internal Phone Wiring - Phone Extensions

When you remove the lower Master Socket faceplate, if you have any extension wiring then this will be temporarily disconnected as the extension wires are connected to the back of the removable faceplate. If you remove the faceplate and there aren't any phone wires then that means you haven't got any extensions.

If you remove the faceplate and your phone extensions keep working or if there aren't any wires connected to the back of the faceplate but you still have working phone extensions then that means your internal phone wiring hasn't been installed correctly and needs to be corrected!

Only BT are legally allowed to take the Master Socket apart further than this - householders can only remove the lower faceplate!

BT Master Socket - NTE5

BT 'TEST' Socket - NTE5

NTE5 - Network Terminating Equipment

I'm connected via the BT TEST socket and my broadband speeds haven't changed!

You need to login to your ADSL router and look at the connection speed or sync speed - also sometimes called bandwidth.
Do this before and after using the TEST socket to see if there is any difference. If the connection speed is higher when using the TEST socket then you can improve your connection - if it's the same then your internal wiring and equipment isn't causing any problems.

Your actual usable throughput speeds won't change until your IP Profile has caught up with your new connection speed which can take a few days. See my understanding broadband page for more info.

I  haven't got a modern Master Socket - NTE5!

There are still lots of houses that haven't got a modern Master Socket as pictured above.
BT can charge a lot of money for a 'call out'.

If you contact BT and ask for your "phone wiring to be regularised" or say you are unable to fit a new phone extension because your don't have a modern Master Socket then BT should come and fit an NTE5 for free.

Don't mention you want it to improve your broadband speeds else they will charge you for the call out!

Fitting a BT iPlate to your Master Socket

BT market an iPlate that helps to optimise your connection - more details.
You can also fit an ADSL  'faceplate filter' - see image on the right. This also has the benefit of filtering all your home's connections at source so you don't need to fit additional micro-filters or splitters.

Ring Wire

The ringwire is well known cause of slow internet connections - this is connected to terminal 3 on the Master Socket.
All you need are wires connected to terminals 2 and 5 - this will stop the ringwire picking up interference and causing problems.
BT introduced the iPlate to improve this situation - but unclipping the ring wire is cheaper and can have dramatic results!

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