topic Re: Very slow almost unusable in Everything else

Problems with Third Party Telephone Line

Miriam — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 16:21:03 GMT

I have been with Plusnet broadband since 2009 approx. I have always been happy with it, and currently see no reason to move. My speeds lately have been dire, fed up to say the least, what's going on at Plusnet?

I have an additional oroblem which is causing me anger and great upset, in that four months ago in that my previous landline provider was migrated to a company I loathe TalkTalk who for the past three months have taken £35.40 from my .direct Debit but I can neither make outgoing calls or receive incoming calls.

I have not ca called this Direct Debit as the landline provides my broadband with Plusnet.

I would be obliged as I am nearly pulling my hair out if someone can tell me how I can speak to a real person at TalkTalk?

Moderator's note:
Thread moved from https://community.plus.net/t5/Broadband/Very-slow-almost-unusable/m-p/1991634#M369441 and re-titled.

Re: Very slow almost unusable

pvmb — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 16:29:34 GMT

@Miriam

The TalkTalk website has information on how to contact them by phone etc.

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Articles/How-to-contact-TalkTalk-Broadband/ta-p/2230529

There is also online help with Phone issues:

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Using/bd-p/help-using

Usually the best method of getting help with many of these kinds of things is through the online forum:

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/custom/page/page-id/ForumIndex

Re: Very slow almost unusable

Miriam — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:27:25 GMT

I have been twice to that online forum it kept telling me my message was too long when I hit "submit" my message was three lines long. Utter rubbish. Thanks for getting back.

I will also be quite candid since we hear that Openreach are doing away with landlines, I personally think this move breaches my and others' hunan rights. I know a lot if people who only have a landline, no internet or wifi, what are they supposed to do.

Re: Very slow almost unusable

bmc — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:32:41 GMT

@Miriam

Can't remember what it's called but there is an OpenReach product which provides a landline only. However, it is digital so power back up may be needed.

Brian

Re: Very slow almost unusable

pvmb — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 19:21:38 GMT

@Miriam wrote:
I will also be quite candid since we hear that Openreach are doing away with landlines, I personally think this move breaches my and others' hunan rights. I know a lot if people who only have a landline, no internet or wifi, what are they supposed to do.

The company supplying their phone line is intended to sort this out for their subscribers. If they have a BT landline phone contract then BT should handle this, even if not an existing broadband user. They will be automatically transferred to BT's 'Digital Voice' service and keep their phone number. Unfortunately Plusnet will not be offering digital phone services, but customers needing this will likely be offered a transfer to BT.

Moving to Digital Voice

Moving to Digital Voice | BT Help

Re: Very slow almost unusable

Miriam — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 11:59:09 GMT

Sounds like sonething I have heard about Brian, my problem will always be where I live gets frequent unannounced power cuts, thereafter because I am considered vulnerable I get messages telling me what happened and when expected normal power will be restored.

Re: Very slow almost unusable

bmc — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 12:43:40 GMT

@Miriam

Generally speaking how long are the power cuts?

What's your mobile signal like?

Have you checked what's available to you recently? You can use the following

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

Posting a screen image of the results will help with suggestions. Remember to hide your personal details.

Brian

Re: Very slow almost unusable

Miriam — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 14:28:17 GMT

Brian the last power cut lasted from around 11am untill 4pm ish. I need to explain to everyone I am no stranger to the internet as I have had a desktop P.C. since 1989 (not the same one) but I am now 76 and don't keep well I rely totally on my broadband as my link to the outside world, as we age our brains don't work as quick as they used to this happens to everyone as part of the aging process, I spent 40 years as an Air Traffic Controller until I retired, I have a very logical thinking mind. These days If I have an internet problem it devastates me because apart from here I have no one to help. I have good signal with my mobile, but a lot of people have tried to contact me using only my landline I discovered yesterday by accident, when I received an email from my car dealership to tell me my car was due a service having tried to reach me on my landline for several days.. They now have my mobike number. I don't know who else only has my landline. My landline has always been referred.

I see no logical reason why things can't just be left alone. I am currently on Windows 10 and won't change.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

A very frustrated lady south west Scotland.

In advance once again thank you both for your advice 👍👍❤️

Re: Very slow almost unusable

Miriam — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 15:27:51 GMT

Incidentally Brian

I clicked on the link you sent - sorry double dutch to me as I had no idea what the various coded tags meant.

Re: Very slow almost unusable

Miriam — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 15:30:00 GMT

*I also clicked on the link moving to digital voice - sorry just too complicated for me as I would need someone to set all that up for me, why oh why does all this have to change, God only knows it's horrendoous.

Re: Very slow almost unusable

bmc — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 16:20:29 GMT

@Miriam

Just a quick response.

Can you post a screen image of the results so we can interpret them for you. If not, log into your PN account and check for any upgrade offers and let us know what's there.

Brian

Re: Very slow almost unusable

Baldrick1 — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 16:45:35 GMT

@Miriam

This thread has drifted way off topic. You started by advising that your landline has been transferred to TT.

I assume that the phone is on an unbundled LLU line and you are on a Plusnet ADSL or FTTC service, that is, not Full Fibre?

As your broadband service is provided on this phone line this is the only factor concerning Plusnet.

If you want to move away from TT them I suspect that you are in a very difficult position, unless another LLU supplier will take you on. If you want to keep your landline phone then if you really must get away from TT my advice would be to ring Plusnet and ask for both your phone and Internet to be switched to BT or EE.

Re: Very slow almost unusable

Miriam — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 17:01:13 GMT

thank you I have gone to my account where tgere is an 0800 number I will ring PN on Monday 👍Of course tge alternative woukd be TT just fix tge problem of tgeir making

Re: Very slow almost unusable

bmc — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 17:20:18 GMT

@Miriam

Try the PlusNet Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632 - they should be available tomorrow. Ask what's available to you at your address.

It's good to hear your mobile signal is fine. Several people in you position don't even have that to fall back on. I would suggest you start making sure everyone who calls you on a regular basis knows your mobile number.

I say this because in or around a years time you will have to move to a digital phone line.

Brian

Re: Very slow almost unusable

Miriam — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 00:41:52 GMT

Yes thanks Brian .i shall do so.

Re: Very slow almost unusable

paul_blitz — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 18:00:41 GMT

>> I see no logical reason why things can't just be left alone. I am currently on Windows 10 and won't change.

It's all very well saying "I'll never change"... until you HAVE to, because a program (eg your web browser) can no longer be updated, and you can't use it any more. This happens a lot with mobile phones ("you need android 12 to run this app" sort of thing!). Also, you will not get security updates, and one day, you'll get hacked.

How old are the locks on your doors? I assume you DO ahve door locks?"

>> If it ain't broke don't fix it.

The problem is that, in many ways, the phone system WAS broken. It is in many cases using a wired infrastructure that needs to be replaced (my phone wires are over 50 years old, and I'm in a relatively "modern" property!!) Add in that a large majority of users don't NEED a landline.

Hey, how's the starting handle on your car? Still use it? Lets you start the car when your battery is flat 🙂

Re: Very slow almost unusable

Miriam — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 19:45:48 GMT

Thanjs for the info, without my resorting to sarcasm as you have in reply to me. I am not stupid but thanks for the info.

How long have you had a computer in your home I might ask?

Plusnet community for me over many years, has members who have always been very helpful without making stupid comments.

We are not all the same.

Telephone conversations with Plusnet team, however, are always helpful and courteous. There is a very good reason why I said Windows 10 will be my last.

Re: Very slow almost unusable

paul_blitz — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 14:03:04 GMT

>>> How long have you had a computer in your home I might ask?

My first computer at home was a self-build, back in about 1978: it ran Basic. I then managed to acquire an Intel MDS800, 8" floppy disk based system, on which I ran CP/M. Then I "upgraded" to a BBC Micro (introduced in 1981, apparently) in the early 80s. My first PC was (like all since) a home-build, using an IBM PC motherboard I got hold of.

Professionally, I started life as an electronics designer, designing 8-bit microprocessor systems. Moved into a support role, then into data-comms with a major manufacturer of modems and other (now very dated) comms kit. I finally moved into Networking, when the IPX vs Banyan Vines vs TC/PIP etc "wars" were going on. Worked with various 'network data delivery devices' over the years too.

So, yeah, been 'playing with' computers for quite a while now (too many years, I'm thinking!!)

I apologise if my comments upset, I was not assuming any specific technical knowledge on your side (plus wanted to make the reply more generally helpful to others), so was trying to make the technical explanations easily understandable. And trying to stay reasonably light-hearted at the same time.

Re: Very slow almost unusable

Townman — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 11:51:23 GMT

... and being realistic about "no need to change" expectations.

PTSN is going and support for Win10 will stop in the vey near future. It would be wise to plan for that before it becomes time critical.

Re: Very slow almost unusable

Miriam — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 19:32:17 GMT

Firstly, all my commas problems have been sorted this week, also my internet us fast as it was prior to my problems so there must have been a connection, no pun intended!

Secondly, you are of course correct it will be necessary to upgrade to Windows 11 at some point, thank you.