topic Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet in Broadband

"It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

MisterPlusBoy — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:09:55 GMT

I am on FTTC and my current package is "Unlimited Fibre inc. Line rental". I just got this email:


The UK is upgrading to a digital network, replacing older landline technology. Your current broadband and home phone service won’t work after The Digital Switchover, so it’s time to make the move to one that will. We’ll guide you through your options to stay connected.

If your home phone isn't getting much use, we can keep you connected by switching you over to our latest Fibre broadband. Fibre is landline-free and uses a more reliable digital connection, so if like most people in the UK you don't use your home phone, it might make sense to part ways with it. Plus, with Fibre, you'll get the fastest available speed at your home

What happens if I don't take action?
If you choose not to switch to a Plusnet broadband only service, we’ll keep you connected by moving your services to a broadband and Digital Home Phone package with EE. We’ll get back in touch to guide you through this process.

I do not use or need a phone line/number BUT I am near the end of my current deal lock-in and I presume PN are going to try and use any change to start a new contract with themselves or EE wor 12/18/24 months. Are they allowed to, or can I hold them to the contract? If I try to get out of the contract early they will bill me!

After some advice and any thoughts from others who are in the same situation. Thanks.

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

jab1 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:21:22 GMT

@MisterPlusBoy If you do not use your landline phone, and you are near (how near?) the end of your contract, you could move to a SOGEA (broadband only) connection with PN - probably the easiest move, as it merely removes the voice component on your connection by the flick of an electronic switch. It will, however result in a new fixed term contract, which is cheaper than going to an out-of-contract price.

You could of course move away to a new provider entirely, but again, that would be on a new fixed-term contract.

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

bmc — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:31:05 GMT

@MisterPlusBoy

Can you share an image from the following after hiding your details. Include the narrative below the results window. This will tell us what your options are with PN.

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

As already stated you are free to move to anyone you want at the end of your contract.

Brian

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

MisterPlusBoy — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:42:09 GMT

The issue is I don't want to get locked into PN again. I am expecting FTTP to arrive soon - but not via OpenReach.

My concern is that they might not let me have the last 6 months on my contract before the switchover, and strongarm me into picking something. I don't care if I'm on ADSL or SOGEA - if it's just 'flicking a switch' why can't they do that within my current contract - I am still getting the service they promised me.

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

jab1 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:45:28 GMT

If you have still got 6 months to go, and your alternative provider will be available at the end of your contract - just ignore that email. Basically, it is just the BT/PN way of advising - opaquely - of the demise of the PSTN, and trying to lock you in to the BT ecosystem.

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

MisterPlusBoy — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:46:04 GMT

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

pvmb — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:21:33 GMT

"If your home phone isn't getting much use, we can keep you connected by switching you over to our latest Fibre broadband."

No such thing as "Fibre broadband"! 😎

If you've got (Full) Fibre, you haven't got "broadband".
If you've got broadband you haven't got (Full) "Fibre".

Should have called (FTTC) "Fibre" 'Broadband from the cabinet'?
Should have called "Fibre broadband" (DFN) 'Digital Fibre Network'?

🤔

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

jab1 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:27:56 GMT

Small point, @pvmb FTTC is Fibre To The Cabinet and copper between it and the users premises.

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

Baldrick1 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:47:54 GMT

@MisterPlusBoy

As I understand contract law, if you sit on your hands and Plusnet advise that they can no longer provide the contracted services they will be obliged to release you from the contract penalty free due to their inability to supply.

The down side is that this could happen in less than 6 months and leave you without a connection.
If the Altnet will be able to provide within the next 12 months and an Internet connection is important to you, I would recommend giving up the home phone and moving to a new 12 month SoGEA deal now. Every month that goes by will reduce any termination charges.

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

MisterPlusBoy — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:52:35 GMT

Thanks @Baldrick1 - this would actually be a good option for me as I have a StarLink in standby mode, I originally got it virtually free as a backup/test since I was having really bad issues at the time, OpenReach found a big fault on the line to my house and since that I've not needed the StarLink but kept it there ready.

If I was ever to lose service I can reactivate this month-to-month with no contract so I'm happy to have PlusNet end my service, but I figure they will not want to do that and I might need to push them a bit?

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

bmc — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:56:06 GMT

@MisterPlusBoy

Thanks for the information. It confirms you'd be moved to a SOGEA connection with speeds of between 47.4 & 27.5.

Full fibre isn't available. Have you checked OpenReach to see if they have any plans for your area.

www.openreach.co.uk

You don't get cut off at the end of your contract - you simply get charged the non contract price (which isn't cheap). This might work untill such time as either the AltNet installs or the PSTN service is withdrawn. If the latter happens before the AltNet install then you've got problems.

Brian

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

jab1 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:56:32 GMT

@MisterPlusBoy If you want to end the PN service now - and obviously pay the 6months of ETC's, you can do so - it is your right.

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

MisterPlusBoy — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:00:28 GMT

It's kind of the opposite, my worry was they would be looking to force me off my current service using the switchover as a justification "you have to start a new contract when we switch you" but they ahven't actually said WHEN theis switch is happening. If it's longer than the 6 months left on my current deal, I will just wait until that ends and then re-evaluate.

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

jab1 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:05:46 GMT

I would call the Customer options Team on 0800 013 2632 and see how much it would cost you to cancel the contract early. If the cost is manageable, do that and use Starlink on a monthly basis until the altnet can connect you for FTTP.

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

mystreet1 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:26:33 GMT

Also, check if the altnet provides an incentive of buying out the ETF. Mine did.

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

PhilipHeyes — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:35:37 GMT

Note the FTTP on demand 330/50

Whilst this is usually a business service as paying to speed up ground works is quite costly.

It does mean that Openreach FTTP is getting close to your property.

In the last week we have become "FTTP on demand 330/50 " and we had email from Openreach saying FTTP soon.

I can see OR have active FTTP on telegraphs poles that are less than 200 meters from us.

https://www.openreach.com/fibre-checker

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

MisterPlusBoy — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:30:40 GMT

“We have no plans to build Full Fibre to this property yet”

Let’s hope but I think indie is more likely

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

markhawkin — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 08:39:54 GMT

I think, with 6 months to go on a contract I would do nothing at the moment.

Assuming the "Alternative Network" really is building (best guess a government funded rural roll out), then assess the situation in about 4 months.

While Plusnet's out of contract terms are not generally attractive for another month or so it's a possibility (or give notice at the end of your minimum contract term and go Starlink).

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

corringham — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:08:53 GMT

@PhilipHeyes wrote:

Note the FTTP on demand 330/50
Whilst this is usually a business service as paying to speed up ground works is quite costly.

It does mean that Openreach FTTP is getting close to your property.

Not necessarily. I tried to get FTTP on demand (for business use) some years ago (must be 10 years now) because it was shown as available. They wouldn't provide it as the head end exchange is 22 miles away as the cable flies (10 for crows) and they said the cost would "obviously" be over £100K which was their cut off for preparing a quote.
The only OR broadband available then and now is ADSL, and they still have no plans for FTTP - so unfortunately FTTP on demand showing on the checker doesn't mean FTTP is on the way.

Re: "It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

MisterPlusBoy — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:44:27 GMT

OK so I had an update from PlusNet today.

Your Plusnet broadband and home phone service will stop working after the national Digital Switchover. To keep you connected and to allow you to keep a home phone, we’re moving your broadband and home phone over to EE. As we are both part of the same family, we know you’ll be looked after.

Why we're moving you to EE
EE are the fastest growing broadband network, and they can give you a combined broadband and Digital Home Phone service allowing you to continue to make and receive calls over your broadband connection. You'll get smoother calls and reliable broadband all for the same value you have today.

Don't use a home phone? Stay with Plusnet.
If like many you don't use your home phone, you can stay with Plusnet by switching to a broadband only package.

If we haven't heard from you about remaining with Plusnet in the next 30 days, we'll begin moving your broadband and home phone to EE.

This sounds like something they are doing imminently, not at some arbitrary time.

I will have ~6mo left on the contract at the time they switch me over it looks like. I don't want to get a new 3 hub and contract with them, which I haven't agreed to (how is this allowed) and I don't want to be squeezed into a new 12/18mo contract with PlusNet.

I don't understand how they are able to break the contract we have and why they need to. Why can't I just get switched to no-landline and keep my contract and pay the same, it's their problem how they deliver the service not mine.