Why extension sockets may work differently
Guide reference: HG-0004
Quote this reference if you contact us about this guide.
Approx. 3 min read
What happens to old extension wiring with digital lines. Extension sockets will not work on our digital lines.
Don't worry if phones plugged into old wall sockets stopped working. On a Simple Telecoms digital line, your phone signal comes only from the router box, not from extension sockets around the home.
Quick answer
Extension sockets will not work on our digital lines. Plug your phone into Phone1 on the router. The only supported way to use multiple handsets is a cordless phone system with one master base station plugged into Phone1.
More detail
On an old copper line, extra phone sockets around the house could carry the line. On a Simple Telecoms digital line, they will not.
Your router must connect at the main phone socket where the line enters your home. Running the router from an extension socket is not supported.
Phones plugged into old extension sockets in the kitchen, bedroom, or elsewhere will not work. Only the phone socket on the router carries your line.
If you need phones in several rooms, use a cordless phone system. Plug one master base station into Phone1 on the router, then use the extra cordless handsets around your home. Do not plug multiple bases into wall sockets.
We do not support wired extension sockets, splitters, or daisy-chained extension wiring on digital lines.
What to do instead
Find your router or adapter box at the main phone socket or fibre box.
Plug your main home phone, or the master base of a cordless system, directly into Phone1 on the router.
Confirm that phone works before relying on any handset in the house.
If old wall phones no longer work, do not expect extension sockets to come back. Move to a cordless handset on the same base system instead.
Place extra cordless handsets on their charging bases in other rooms, not plugged into wall sockets.
Contact us before buying extension wiring kits or splitters. They are not supported on our digital lines.
Common mistakes
- Plugging the router into an extension socket instead of the main phone socket.
- Expecting kitchen or bedroom wall sockets to work as they did on copper.
- Plugging a second phone base into an old wall socket.
- Using splitters or extension cables between the router and wall sockets.
- Plugging the phone into the wrong socket on the router instead of Phone1.
Things to know
- See Setting up your router or adapter box for where the box must plug in.
- See Connecting more than one phone for cordless multi-handset setup.
- See Where to plug in your phone for Phone1 guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put the router in the bedroom?
Only if the main phone socket is there. Extension sockets cannot carry the line to the router.
Will an engineer rewire my extensions?
No. Extension sockets are not supported on our digital lines. Use a cordless system with one base on Phone1.
Can I use a cordless phone instead?
Yes. That is the supported option. One master base station on Phone1, with extra handsets around the home.
Why did my kitchen phone stop working?
It was wired to an old extension socket. Extension sockets do not work on our digital lines.