Openreach box, how to check whether obsolete and remove

MisterNick

Hi

I'm looking for some advice on an Openreach box in our hall. We are fairly sure that it was decommissioned some years ago and the line brought in through the sitting room.
One of the wires coming out of it goes through to the lounge and the other (we think) through the outside wall. Can't see where it comes out externally due to the wall covering.

We would like to remove the facing plate and wires, and fill and it if it is not functional. 

 How can we check whether it is required? Do we need Open reach to remove?

 Many thanks, and if more pictures help, please let me know

frugalmacdugal

Hi,

if you have a land line phone just plug it in see if you get a dial tone.

Section62

MisterNick said:

Hi

I'm looking for some advice on an Openreach box in our hall. We are fairly sure that it was decommissioned some years ago and the line brought in through the sitting room.

...

 How can we check whether it is required? Do we need Open reach to remove?

When upgrading people to fibre Openreach have a habit of leaving the old copper apparatus in place, so although you have a new line, this doesn't necessarily mean the old one is 'decommissioned'.  The status of the old line will depend on what (if anything) it is connected to at the exchange.

Legally, if that box is a 'master' socket (it probably is) then you have to ask Openreach to remove it.... for which there is likely to be a charge.

FreeBear

Section62 said:  Legally, if that box is a 'master' socket (it probably is) then you have to should ask Openreach to remove it.... for which there is likely to be a charge.

Had an old BT master socket in my hallway. The wires got cut accidentally a while back, and I removed the box completely last year. Current phone line is served by VOIP via broadband, so the master socket is redundant. And as BT (OpenReach) are phasing out copper connections, it is highly unlikely that the box would ever be used again.

If the OP still has an active line, the socket in the sitting room is possibly spurred off the master. Follow the wires to confirm.

ThisIsWeird

Do you have a multimeter, Nick? And do you know how to use it?
What's the landline voltage - around 50V or so? Enough for a tingle. 

Mutton_Geoff

ThisIsWeird said:

Do you have a multimeter, Nick? And do you know how to use it?
What's the landline voltage - around 50V or so? Enough for a tingle. 

A simpler way is to undo the two screws and remove the faceplate (with socket). Master sockets are wired so when you unplug that, any extensions are cut off (it's a fast way for BT to test whether faulty wiring is on their side or yours).

Forget the multimeter unless you know how to use one and know what you're looking for.

ThisIsWeird

Mutton_Geoff said:

A simpler way is to undo the two screws and remove the faceplate (with socket). 

And then what - plug in a phone to test?

Eldi_Dos

@MisterNick
Assuming that your service is with BT and your are not on Digital Voice try.

At your socket fed through the living room do Line Test by dialing 17070
Then move phone to socket in photo and try there.

If you are on DV you will not get dial tone at socket.

Mutton_Geoff

ThisIsWeird said:

Mutton_Geoff said:

A simpler way is to undo the two screws and remove the faceplate (with socket). 

And then what - plug in a phone to test?

No, you check your broadband or other phone or whatever is connected to the second line coming out of that faceplate still works. The BT line could possibly come in at the back of the box and those two wires are both extensions.

Until the front is off, you wouldn't know.

MisterNick

Many thanks for all of your replys.

I will work through them and update. May need to wait until weekend though