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Maliplex · 12-10-2009, 14:20

Hi
I would appreciate some advice about my current BT wiring. We have what I believe is called a General Post Office BT20/4 junction box which was screwed to the inside of our front door frame, next to where the thick black cable arrives into the house (It is currently off the wall while we decorate). A very thin wire (see photo) then runs several feet into the hall where the NTE5 socket is located. This wire is pretty old and mangled with several layers of paint.

I rang BT and explained that our junction box dates back to 1950s and asked if we were entitiled to an upgrade. They said that it would cost me £140 unless I could show that the line is faulty. They ran a line test and said that it is fine. However, I'm not convinced that the broadband speed we're getting is as good as it might be.

So, my questions are:

Is it worth pushing for a newer junction box or is that just aesthetics?
Is the cable between the junction box and the main socket of acceptable standard?
Is there anything I can do to improve this for myself e.g replacing the thin cable with something with better shielding?

(I am testing the broadband speeds from the test socket, thus eliminating any extension cables)

Any advice/help much appreciated.

12-10-2009, 14:20	#1
Maliplex Inactive Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5	Gpo bt20/4 Hi I would appreciate some advice about my current BT wiring. We have what I believe is called a General Post Office BT20/4 junction box which was screwed to the inside of our front door frame, next to where the thick black cable arrives into the house (It is currently off the wall while we decorate). A very thin wire (see photo) then runs several feet into the hall where the NTE5 socket is located. This wire is pretty old and mangled with several layers of paint. I rang BT and explained that our junction box dates back to 1950s and asked if we were entitiled to an upgrade. They said that it would cost me £140 unless I could show that the line is faulty. They ran a line test and said that it is fine. However, I'm not convinced that the broadband speed we're getting is as good as it might be. So, my questions are: Is it worth pushing for a newer junction box or is that just aesthetics? Is the cable between the junction box and the main socket of acceptable standard? Is there anything I can do to improve this for myself e.g replacing the thin cable with something with better shielding? (I am testing the broadband speeds from the test socket, thus eliminating any extension cables) Any advice/help much appreciated.