Broadband help : try the test socket!

I am just about fed up of people reporting faults, and then as soon as I ask them to try in the test socket I get the following reply, "I am not touching my socket, that's an engineers job" - give me a break!

Firstly, the test socket has been implemented to save time and help both you and your ISP identify where a potential service fault may lie. By refusing to connect into the test socket, you are being uncooperative and rude. How am I supposed to help you fix your fault if you refuse to perform the basic diagnostic procedures that I ask?

Photo: www.hmmm.ip3.co.uk

The above image shows just how easy it is to access the test socket. Believe me, if it was only intended to be used by engineers then they would make it a lot harder to get into, and there would be signage all over it warning you not to touch it.

Furthermore, it is actually a BT recommended diagnostic. Do you know why? Because it eliminates your internal wiring as being at fault. If you have no fault in this test socket, but do with the faceplate connected, then your wiring is probably naff. On the contrary, if your fault still exists whilst connected to the test socket, there is a greater likelihood that the problem lies outside of your remit and requires further attention.

Do you see just how simple, yet effective, the test socket is.

Picture this scenario:

You experience a loss of dial tone. You immediately call your SP without checking the test socket, they are unable to locate a fault and so book an appointment for BT Openreach to attend in 3 days time.

3 days later, Mr BT Engineer turns up, tries the phone in the test socket and obtains dial tone. He'll be in and out within 10 minutes, and charge you for the privilege. As a result, you have been left without a dial tone for 3 days and been landed with an engineer call out charge of in excess of £115.

Now, the alternate scenario:

You experience a loss of dial tone. You take 5 measly minutes of, what you make out to be, your very busy schedule to remove 2 screws and try your phone in the test socket. You can get dial tone from the test socket.

Hey presto! you have found the fault is internal and does not require attention from BT. You have therefore saved yourself 3 days of waiting and a bill for over £115.

Which scenario would you prefer? I know which one I'd go for!