subject: How A Bt Digital I-plate Can Accelerate Your Broadband Signal [print this page] Many households have telephone extension wiring that you will often see running along your skirting or on the outside of your house. It is used to connect the main socket to any extension sockets in your home but even if you do not use the sockets it can contribute to interference with your broadband signal. This is because extension wiring can pick up electrical noise and interference from TVs, lights and other electrical equipment.
If your house has any extension wiring then this could be affecting your broadband rates but there is a simple solution to remedy the issue. An I-Plate can be used to filter the signal and reduce interference. Research shows that using a filter like the I-Plate can boost your line speeds by typically 1.5Mbps, although the actual change will vary from house to house.
Before you look into investing in a filter it is important to make a couple of checks to see if it will work with your existing set-up. If your socket has a BT Openreach logo on it then it already houses a built-in filter and if there is no horizontal line across the front then you will not be able to fit a filter. Similarly if your socket has two connection points for telephone and DSL then you will not be able to fit a filter.
If you are unable to fit a filter then you can still improve your broadband signals by connecting your router to the master socket. This is usually found where the telephone line enters your property, sometimes in the attic or basement. If possible try to connect wirelessly to avoid using telephone extension cables. If you do have to use a telephone extension cable then make sure you use a new, high-quality cable with the shortest possible length to reduce the risk of interference.
Another important filter is the microfilter or ADSL filter that prevents broadband and voice signals from interfering with one another. If you install an I-Plate filter it is still a good idea to ensure you use a microfilter for each phone socket used in your home. The microfilter essentially looks like an adaptor with two sockets that allows you to connect a telephone handset or similar device like a fax machine or digibox on one side and a router on the other. The side for the router is usually labelled ADSL or DSL. If you do not use microfilters then you may experience reduced connection speeds and high-pitched noises when using your telephone.
