BT Wholesale’s iPlate enters the market
BT’s patent pending iPlate is becoming available to end users via Ebay (search for iPlate) and at least one ISP.
The iPlate is a slot-in “interstitial” filter that fits between the faceplate of a BT master socket (type NTE5) and the backplate that is screwed to the wall. It filters out potential interference from the bell wire or ring wire of your extension wiring. It is designed to be fitted with the use of only a screwdriver and doesn’t involve disconnecting and reconnecting extension wires.
By removing the interference it can allow the broadband to connect at a higher speed or with better reliability, but only if there is interference present in the first place and only if it is the noise level that is limiting the speed.
If you already have an NTE5 master socket with the BT Openreach logo on it, as opposed to a T in a circle or a BT “Piper” logo, then the iPlate is not for you. This is because the new Openreach logo NTE5 already has a ring wire filter similar to the iPlate built in to its faceplate.
If you don’t have the NTE5 type master socket then you can’t use the iPlate. The NTE5 has a horizontal split half way up the faceplate and the screws are 1/3-1/4 of the way up the plate. If you remove the lower half you disconnect your extensions and reveal the test socket which is where you’ll probably get the fastest connection.
The iPlate allows you to use broadband on any extension and you are still required to use microfilters on every telephone, fax, 56k modem, Sky box or other gadget plugged into the phone line.
If you want to use broadband at or close to the master socket then a better solution may be the filtered faceplates from ADSLnation, Clarity.it, Solwise et al. These do involve some disconnection and reconnection of wires but they allow you to have a dedicated broadband socket on the master and every other socket is then filtered centrally and you don’t need microfilters. Technically this is the best solution.
If you don’t have an NTE5 and don’t mind getting involved with your wiring then locating the master socket (they have additional components compared to a standard socket) and removing the wire from terminal 3 will disconnect the bell / ring wire completely. This is a quick and easy job and can also be done on NTE5s if you don’t want to splash out £15 on a new faceplate or iPlate. If you don’t have any extension wiring of any sort then none of the above is of any value to you.
Finally, if your broadband is still unreliable then you should ask your ISP for a BT Engineer visit to rectify the problem.
Tags: ADSLnation, BT Openreach, BT Wholesale, Clarity.it, iPlate, Solwise
