topic Re: 4g backup in Broadband

4g backup

chriscollins88 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 10:27:20 GMT

Hi, I'm having reoccurring issues with my connection. Openreach have been out multiple times and effected fixes but there is still a reoccurring issue where our connection goes down for hours at a time. Does anyone know if Plusnet offer a free 4g hotspot to help cover outages? It's causing me real issues with work not having an internet connection for hours at a time.

Re: 4g backup

jab1 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 10:31:04 GMT

@chriscollins88 Welcome to the forums. No, sadly PN do not offer the 4G backup. Out of interest, what is this 'recurring issue'?

Re: 4g backup

chriscollins88 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 10:35:33 GMT

Our connection just randomly drops out for various lengths of time. It's recently got much worse. Openreach have data that shows the number and duration of the drops. The last engineer replaced a section of our line from the cabinet but still we're getting these drop outs.

Re: 4g backup

jab1 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 10:43:11 GMT

OK, not much I can say to help then, but I assume the investigation is ongoing?

Re: 4g backup

chriscollins88 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 12:50:19 GMT

I posted to here to see if there was any chance of getting a mobile backup. Sounds like a no which is useful to know. The investigation gets closed each time Openreach come out and can only be reopened if when plusnet test the line they find an issue. It's annoying and time-consuming as I have to go through the phone system each time.

Re: 4g backup

jab1 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 12:56:45 GMT

@chriscollins88 Yes, I agree the way this is handled is crazy, but it is 'the way', and there is zero chance of it changing. Obviously, I/we don't know exactly what is causing this constant failure, but do you ever get told, even in vague terms, what PN/OR 'think' the issue is?

Re: 4g backup

chriscollins88 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:00:58 GMT

Openreach sent out the area supervisor last time and he found two issues on the line at different distances from the house. He thought the cable could have been mechanically damaged and so changed some of the cable to mitigate the issue. However I think he only did that for one of the issues not the one further away. The diagnostic systems he was able to use, clearly showed all the history of issues on the line so I'm confident I won't be charged for a needless call out at least.

Re: 4g backup

jab1 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:09:30 GMT

Fair enough, @chriscollins88 . This sounds like one of those 'hunt the slipper' situations which can befuddle the best of people. You will not be charged for the call-out - if the issue is still there, it needs resolving, and in any case engineer call outs are no longer charged for.

Re: 4g backup

Smith7 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 16:15:10 GMT

My friend has her Broadband with EE ( also part of BT like PN ) and works from home she had problems with her broadband going very slow.

EE tested the system and found a problem and as Openreach were unable to send anyone out over Christmas/New Year they added 100GB yes 100GB to her EE mobile data so she could use the Hotspot to tide her over until the repair could be sorted

The problem was found to be in a cabinet where OR contractors are adding extra FTTP lines and they also knocked £8.96 off the monthly payment

It seems its all down to " you get what what you pay for "

If your mobile is with PN it seems an easy thing to add some extra data to help you over as EE do

She is very happy with EE and Orange broadband previously