BT Wholesale has launched an inexpensive new device that could radically improve the speed of ADSL broadband connections.

BT claims that electrical interference from household objects including televisions, set-top boxes and even Christmas tree lights can reduce a broadband connection to a crawl as faulty or leaky power supplies from the electrical equipment interferes with the "Bell Wire" running around the home, creating excessive noise on the line.

BT trialled the device called an Interstitial Plate - or iPlate - that will slot into the master telephone socket and largely eliminate the noise, providing a significant boost for broadband speeds. Demonstrations showed how an ADSL connection running at 3.8Mb/sec was reduced to just 700Kb/sec when a nearby fluorescent lamp with a faulty power supply was turned on. When the iPlate was fitted to the master socket, the connection returned to its normal speed.

The device can be fitted without the services of an engineer, simply by unscrewing a plate in the master socket and slotting the iPlate in. BT says it expects ISPs to distribute the device freely to customers with connection problems, saving on the expense of support calls and engineer visits.

- More info, test results, fitting instructions, where to get one, etc.

- iPlate reviews

I saw these being reviewed in a mag recently. The only thing to watch for is :


If you haven't got a NTE5 style phone socket (like me) then it could be tricky.

Mine`s cable with no phone attached

I've just ordered one off eBay so I'll let you know how I get on.

I've got the socket that just preceded the NTE5, the solid faceplate one.

I bet BT will want circa £200 to chenge it

Well my I-Plate arrived and so far it's made NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL!!!

Although, saying that, it is raining heavily at the moment and this always has a detremental effect on network performance. Will leave the Home Hob on and see if it improves when the weather improves.

Some interesting reading here:
How to troubleshoot slow broadband speeds

Tips on optimising your broadband speed

Since switching to O2 from Pipex my speed has increased from circa 4200 to 6200 - I'm happy.

I power down my Router after every session so it gets a reboot most days. According to the techy bods at my company that's the best thing to do ?

I've had the router on constantly now for 5 days and there has been no significant increase in my line speed, so, apart from using the hub phone, I don't see any advantage in leaving it switched on all the time so I might as well revert back to turning it off when I've finished using it.