topic Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals in Broadband

Poor Broadband Only Deals

Scoobee — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:18:29 GMT

Hi,

I'm currently with Plusnet with their Unlimited Fibre Extra (broadband and phone). This gives a download speed of 66 Mbps and upload of 18 Mbps. This is using FTTC.

The contract runs out in August and I'm looking at their broadband only deals but I'm quite disappointed in what they can offer.

Basically I have a choice of one option - a deal that gives a download speed of 32 - 36 Mbps and 8 - 10 Mbps for uploading. This is around half the speed that I am currently getting.

The new deal is still FTTC, as full fibre to the premises is unavailable with Plusnet.

As I understood it, the big switch off was meant to use new technology so things would be improved - can someone explain how slowing down to half download speed is an improvement?

I'm prepared to lose the landline - most calls are via mobiles, but dropping to half speed ...really???

Zzoomm have recently installed full fibre in our road so that is an option, but I was hoping to stay with Plusnet and carry on with the same service minus the landline to avoid the hassle of changing providers.

The interesting thing is, if I go onto their website and look at deals as a NEW customer, it offers a broadband only deal at the same download speed I currently have - 66 Mbps.

Any ideas why Plusnet are only offering these low speeds for existing loyal customers?

Thanks

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

jab1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:23:50 GMT

@Scoobee Can you attach the full output from https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL - obscuring personal details, and the result from speed test from here: https://www.speedtest.net/ , please.

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

bmc — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:32:33 GMT

@Scoobee

When changing to SOGEA (FTTC withour the phone) your speed shouldn't change. It's still the same copper line that's being used. It may be a system setting that says you'll get a lower speed which would only matter if you need to report a fault later.

You could phone the PlusNet Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632 and ask them.

What do OpenReach say about Full Fibre for your property - www.openreach.co.uk

Brian

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

jab1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:42:07 GMT

@bmc My post above was made to examine the distinct possibility that the OP could have an issue which is distorting the offered speeds. Until we see those results, it is maybe not a good idea to cloud the issue?

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

Scoobee — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:20:06 GMT

Thanks for the responses,

I've attached screen prints as requested.

It seems I'm getting the lower speeds anyway.... I've never bothered with a speed test before as it's always been OK - I just assumed the speeds were as stated by Plusnet in my current contract.

If these are my normal speeds, then the option offered should be OK for me

Regards

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

jab1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:33:22 GMT

@Scoobee If you are Unlimited Fibre Extra, I don't quite know why you are getting those low figures, going by the BTw results.

Before making any further suggestions, and I am sorry for asking for more data, but having as much solid information as possible avoids wrong advice being given, can you also attach a screenshot of your Hubs Technical Log - Information page (obscuring the username), and an export of your Event Log?

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:49:09 GMT

@jab1

Isn't it the case that renewal speeds are based on the current observed speed?

Max Observed Downstream Speed 39.99

Max Observed Upstream Speed 15.4

Be interesting what the Technical log page shows.

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

jab1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:51:29 GMT

Apparently it is, @Dan_the_Van , and yes, the Technical log page will be interesting.

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

Scoobee — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:44:41 GMT

OK, I'm going to have to take a look at how to do this, I'm not using a Plusnet hub, but a Draytek Vigor router which I was using before switching to Plusnet.

The reason for this is I have backup servers in the garage connected to an older Draytek unit set up as a wireless repeater ( the garage is not attached to the house). As I recall, the Plusnet hubs didn’t have an option for repeater mode at the time of switching so I kept the old routers.

I'll try to find out how to get the info from the Draytek router.

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

jab1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:47:17 GMT

OK, @Scoobee , but that data is important. Sorry I can't help, but maybe @Dan_the_Van can?

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

MisterW — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:24:16 GMT

The 39.99 downstream speed looks suspiciously like it's banded. I wonder if the line had been provisioned in error on 40/10?. I know the max observed upstream says 15 but I've seen that show above 10 even with a line prov'd on 40/10

The line stats from the Draytek would be useful to establish exactly what's happening

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

jab1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:32:52 GMT

@MisterW I agree that downstream looks suspicious, but I'm reluctant to comment further without more data.

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 06:41:05 GMT

@Scoobee

Depending on the router you have you are looking for the page which details the DSL Status

Not knowing which model; this might help https://www.draytek.co.uk/support/guides/kb-dsl-status-wui

The Line Statistic for Actual rate and Attainable rate might explain the speed drop.

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

MisterW — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 06:48:52 GMT

and the Actual PSD (SNR) figures please

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

markhawkin — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 06:55:10 GMT

@Scoobee

I think you will find the DSL status under "Diagnostics" "DSL Status" (thats where they were on my 2860).

If Zzoomm have found it economic to serve your home then I suspect Openreach will cover you with full fibre at some stage. When is the great unknown.

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

Scoobee — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:56:23 GMT

Thanks again for the responses.

I can't find the info on my router - it does not show a "DSL Status" option on the diagnostics.

It is a Vigor 2830, which is an ADSL unit attached to a VDSL modem (Draytek 130), so maybe that is the issue.

I do have a 2860 unit that I intended to install after renewing my contract, Maybe it's worth me swapping it sooner to see if it helps. At least I'll be able to get the data as shown in the link given by @Dan_the_Van - that example is for the same unit.

I may be a few days before I can get around to swapping it.

I will say that as it seems I'm already on these lower speeds and I've not experienced any issues because of it (we're not heavy users), I'm less worried about switching to the new package. I thought I'd be losing speed, but it looks like I'd be on the same.

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

MisterW — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 08:24:04 GMT

It is a Vigor 2830, which is an ADSL unit attached to a VDSL modem (Draytek 130), so maybe that is the issue.

In that case the DSL stats will be on the Vigor 130. Problem is they will not be accessible via the 2830.

I do have a 2860 unit that I intended to install after renewing my contract, Maybe it's worth me swapping it sooner to see if it helps.

If you have the opportunity, I'd give that a try , if only to reduce the power consumption by only having one box

Re: Poor Broadband Only Deals

markhawkin — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 08:34:26 GMT

That will be why the 2830 won't give you VDSL stats.

While the 2860 is out of Draytek support it's less out of support than the 2830. The most recent firmware for a 2860 is from last September (fixes various important security issues) so do upgrade to that before installing it. You can probably transfer config from the 2830 to the 2860 (I did from a 2820 to a 2860) although you will have to set tjhe VDSL settings yourself.

As a first step, the 2860 used with the Draytek 130 should "just work" if the config is transferred I think.

The 2860 will also be OK for slower speeds on full fibre (using WAN 2) although the newer models can be reasonable second hand as people upgrade to faster connections.

As for your original question, I think you probably have a line speed fault. Is the phone line "noisy"?