VDSL2 installations by Openreach in the UK are still carried out by Openreach engineers, and they fit a new style of faceplate filter, which slots in between the existing removeable faceplate and the backbox, without the need to disconnect extension wiring. Now as with the original ADSL faceplates, a source of this Interstitial Faceplate for VDSL is available for consumers, who want to use it to tidy up their ADSL/ADSL2+ connections.
The simple but elegant solution of a slotted design of the original I-Plate continues, in that the new plate allows the existing faceplate to be removed and this filter solution slipped into place. The original I-Plate simply removed an undue influence due to the ring wire on phone extensions, this new design, filters all the telephone extensions such that dangly micro-filters are no longer required, and in cases where people are unable to locate the DSL modem close to the master socket, there are two IDC connections for connected a suitable twisted pair cable to run as a dedicated data extension.
If you already have a good quality ADSL faceplate installed, there is no real benefit to this new model. If you are getting VDSL installed then Openreach engineers will still supply and fit their socket. For those that have bought the I-Plate to improve their broadband speeds, the only real advantage is that microfilters are not needed and if you are a fingers and thumbs person there is no need to fiddle with extension wiring. A small note, while the product description mentions a filtered RJ45 socket, this is compatible with standard RJ11 DSL modem leads.
The new socket is £18.99 plus £2.99 shipping on Amazon.co.uk and is sold by PC Supplies Ltd.
staff member)
4 months ago
Since at the moment you're technically not even allowed to unplug the VDSL modem, let alone start farting around with the socket, it's a bit premature to advertise this.
3rd party DSL faceplates has been able to do the same with adsl for years, and are cheaper.