topic Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre in Everything else

Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

paul1974 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:21:23 GMT

Full Fibre is available in my area. I called Plusnet to ask about switching and I was told it wasn't in my area yet. My neighbours are switching.

I was then told I should switch to Mobile Broadband as its quicker than the current part Fibre (70Mbps) plan. I didn't know Plusnet had Mobile Broadband. I suspect Mobile Broadband performance is really bad compare to part fibre. Plusnet seemed really keen to switch me to Mobile Broadband. Quite a lot of pressure to switch.

Does anyone have an idea of what the best option is?

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

bmc — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:30:06 GMT

@paul1974

Is it OpenReach who are installing in your area or one of the AltNets.? Have a look at what OR say.

www.openreach.co.uk

Brian

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

paul1974 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:34:00 GMT

Its a firm working for OpenReach.

Both the OpenReach and PlusNet web site say Full Fibre is available at my address.

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

RealAleMadrid — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:40:16 GMT

@paul1974 Plusnet have no mobile broadband service so no idea what they were talking about, what could they switch you to. Something not quite right going on here.🤔

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

paul1974 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:46:35 GMT

I thought something fishy was going on. Maybe they were going to try to push me to EE Mobile Broadband. There is only 4G in my area.

When I switched to the new part fibre plan I was told I could switch to Full Fibre once it becomes available. How do I go about switching without speaking to someone at Plusnet? This isn't the first time I've had a bad experience when calling them recently.

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

jab1 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 06:06:52 GMT

@paul1974 If Full Fibre is available at your address - shown as WBC FTTP on either https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome or https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL , then just order it online.

I too do not understand this 'go mobile broadband' suggestion from the agent you spoke to - not the first time I've heard someeone say this, from the BT staff.

@Townman / @MisterW - any thoughts?

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

MisterW — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 06:09:28 GMT

Doesn't make any sense to me. If FF is available then that's the best option.

As to why PN don't think FF is available, well we've seen a couple of instances recently where the OR/BTw databases don't agree...

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

paul1974 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 06:38:52 GMT

Thanks for the link. I've attached a screenshot. It says "FTTP on Demand" "Available" and "FTTP is not available."

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

jab1 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:01:28 GMT

In that case, you cannot get FTTP. Openreach have obviously not installed the infrastructure in your area, or, it is possible that they are in the process of installing it, and it is not fully commissioned.

Where does it say, on the websites 'Both the OpenReach and PlusNet web site say Full Fibre is available at my address. ' - the BTw site says it isn't.

FTTP On Demand is an expensive option, only really suitable for someone with really deep pockets

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

paul1974 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:04:49 GMT

Thanks for the explanation. Strange as my neighbours have been switching. New line to the building a grey box outside.

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

jab1 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:10:21 GMT

In that case, I would suggest you either check what it says for their addresses, using the first link I posted above, or ask them who they have gone with for the service.

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

Dan_the_Van — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:19:11 GMT

@paul1974

Suggest you check using this site https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/broadband-coverage as it expands the search beyond openreach.

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

paul1974 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:20:06 GMT

I've checked a few addresses on both sides of the road. They all say "Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential OH Feed with no anticipated issues.".

I guess I'm just unlucky.

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

paul1974 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:25:19 GMT

I'm in a building with flats. The other flat has FTTP, but mine doesn't. Does that sound like someone has made a mistake or does FTTP not work for flats above ground level?

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

jab1 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:26:28 GMT

@paul1974 In that case, I suggest you ask Plusnet to raise an ORDI request to ask Openreach to check their database.

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

paul1974 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:26:36 GMT

Thanks for the link. The Ofcom checker says Ultrafast is available.

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

jab1 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:31:35 GMT

@paul1974 wrote:

I'm in a building with flats. The other flat has FTTP, but mine doesn't. Does that sound like someone has made a mistake or does FTTP not work for flats above ground level?

Is this a conversion, or built as flats?

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

pvmb — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:43:59 GMT

@Dan_the_Van wrote:

Suggest you check using this site https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/broadband-coverage as it expands the search beyond openreach.

I've been playing with that, with puzzling results for where I live. Here are three results for neighbours all in the same postal code, showing only the results for fibre, which is available here. I am connected to FF:

Ultrafast 1000 Mbps 100 Mbps <-- Mostly (i.e. Available, likely not connected)

Ultrafast 1800 Mbps 220 Mbps <-- Me (Openreach connected - also showing landline speeds!)

Ultrafast -- Not available -- <-- All my immediately adjacent neighbours!

Interestingly, Virgin Cable is available here, but NOT to me and my immediately adjacent neighbours. I don't know if this can explain the above anomaly.

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

dvorak — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:52:37 GMT

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Full Fibre to Everything Else.

Re: Mobile Broadband versus Full Fibre

bmc — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:21:08 GMT

@paul1974

If the address version of the Checker is showing WBBC FTTP as Available for your neighbours in the block of flats but not yours then this sound like a OpenReach database problem. It's been known.

You could phone PN and ask thenm to run a check but there is a way to contact OR directly. I don't have the exact website available to me but I believe if you use the following you get offered further options if FF is available.

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

If not, have a good look around the OR website.

Brian

Edit : Found the address

https://www.openreach.com/forms/fibre-broadband-availability---customer-form