Can anyone tell me what this is?

[Mrxman]

Hi There

We live in a Victorian house. Black box (pic 1) has been installed top of front door. Leads (pic 2), may have been connected in the black box somehow although not sure as it came apart.
The black leads (pic 2) seem to be connected to an outside telephone pole (very old rusty leads). The blue/red leads seem to be connected to a phone socket inside house. Broadband is still working even though those leads are disconnected.

Is it possible anyone can tell me what's in the pictures and whether the leads/black box are likely still in use?

Thanks

 

[Mottie]

More than likely been disconnected and replaced with something more modern.

 

[Diver Fred]

Black box was a pre-60's (probably preWW2) outside line to internal cable connection GPO phone connection. With no wires connected you can safely remove it.

The thick black cable is '70's drop wire for use on shared (with electric distribution) poles. Copper coated steel wire. Apart from the Or/Wh-Wh/Or pair of the new internal cable is used rather than the blue/white pair the connectors are IDC crimps onto the drop wire (that thickness of drop wire shouldn't be used with those crimps) as a bodge.

If it's working leave well alone unless you are decorating and want it tidying up.

 

[winston1]

If you do remove it it is saleable on a certain auction site to telephone collectors. In theory though it is property of BT.