What am I missing here?

So this house I'm buying was built in 2017. On my first quick pass through the house I noticed all the bedrooms had an ethernet jack, as well as one directly below the tv mount in the living room. I was so excited that finally someone had enough sense to wire a home.

Upon further inspection, because they just didn't look right, they're all phone jacks. Why would anyone wire an entire house, and the tv, for telephone and not ethernet?!

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

NativeOregonian · 51-55

Because it is federal building code for all buildings to be wired for telephone landlines, not for ethernet. Plus, with everything being wireless now, it's not needed.

SooperSarah

@NativeOregonian If that is true, it doesn't need to be in every room, and under the tv mount. Who puts a phone over their fireplace?

NativeOregonian · 51-55

@SooperSarah Yes, there must be a landline phone jack in every room, but over the fireplace is a strange location. I only know about building codes because my Grandfather was an architect at one time and half my family is in some aspect of home construction, remodeling, or both.

SooperSarah

@NativeOregonian I'm hoping there's cat5e cable at the jacks. The lines all run to a built in panel in the basement where they aren't terminated with any kind of connector.

NativeOregonian · 51-55

@SooperSarah That I would not be able to tell you.

SooperSarah

@NativeOregonian The inspector opened the panel and the lines looked kind of big to be regular phone lines. I've never remembered to take a screwdriver with me when I've been back. I guess I'll find out when I close next week.

NativeOregonian · 51-55

@SooperSarah I have no idea. When you get your cable and internet installed, ask the tech to have a look.

SooperSarah

@NativeOregonian I'll just take a peek for myself. I know enough to know what I'm looking at (:

NativeOregonian · 51-55

@SooperSarah Not a good idea, you poking around could mess something up and void any kind of warranty it has.

SooperSarah

@NativeOregonian Nothing is connected to anything. The lines are terminated at wall plates with the other ends just hanging in an empty panel in the basement wall.

NativeOregonian · 51-55

@SooperSarah Most likely for the installers to connect them to their junction boxes, whether cable, satellite, etc.