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[Black Sheep]

It certainly wont be a waste of time having the socket upgraded. Your old one has a 'lighning protector' in it. This is a gas-discharge tube that doesn't particularly enjoy the higher broadband frequencies passing through it, especially when the gas starts to 'break down' with age.

Our boffins cottoned onto this ages ago, and now all the lightning protection is carried out in the Telephone Exchange.

It's hard to see on your photo, but its just to the right of the jack where the phone is plugged in, underneath the blue and green wires.

[HPsauce]

It will certainly be tidier, and more flexible should you want to change things in future.
Just make sure you don't get billed for the changeover.

[Thrill]

So, is it possible to get a faceplate or a new socket? I want to do this myself, as I'm not prepared to pay over £100 for a call out charge as quite frankly, it's a rip off. Thanks guys.

[HPsauce]

So, is it possible to get a faceplate or a new socket? I want to do this myself

The "genuine" BT-branded article can easily be found online.
However, it is BT's equipment you are modifying and that is almost certainly "not allowed" under your contract with your telephone provider.

[GigabitEthernet]

If you would like a quick boost to your connection speed, remove the wire on terminal number "3".

EDIT: It's not completely clear from your picture, but I think the wire is already removed.

[burakkucat]

So, is it possible to get a faceplate or a new socket? I want to do this myself, as I'm not prepared to pay over £100 for a call out charge as quite frankly, it's a rip off. Thanks guys.

Two suggestions for you:

(1) Look in the Classified Advertisements of your local newspaper for a retired telephone engineer to do it for you.
(2) Track down a Openreach engineer and ask if he would be willing to perform a private job in return for some beer-money.

I did read, elsewhere, that when route (2) was tried, the engineer took a quick look, got a new NTE5/A out of the back of his van and said to the requester "Here you are. Do it yourself. But don't say that I gave you this."

[GigabitEthernet]

I believe that Openreach engineers can get in a lot of trouble for performing engineering works when they are not on a job. I personally wouldn't want to risk an engineer's job.

[Black Sheep]

I believe that Openreach engineers can get in a lot of trouble for performing engineering works when they are not on a job. I personally wouldn't want to risk an engineer's job.

Tis' a fair point. I believe (as I've never had the inkling too), we can take up a 2nd, or 3rd job so long as it is not in direct competition with our industry. Installing 'own purchased' sockets, cables etc could fall under that banner.

These are just my thoughts. Nothing official.

[burakkucat]

Interesting comments.

I did read, elsewhere, that when route (2) was tried, the engineer took a quick look, got a new NTE5/A out of the back of his van and said to the requester "Here you are. Do it yourself. But don't say that I gave you this."

Perhaps that is the reason why the engineer provided a new NTE5/A and recommended the DIY route.