topic Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best? in Full Fibre

For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

isdoo — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:25:35 GMT

Do we really need 500 mbps or will 150mbps suit most people?

Yes I run my office, but I have also survived on 45mbps for a few years.

So just wondering why I need to spend another £10 a month on 500mbps - or is it the case of a higher speed will ensure you don't drop too low?

My choice seems to be 74, 150 or 500.

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

SpendLessTime — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:47:58 GMT

I'm on the 74 version (although it is from part of the old FTTP Trial) and have been since 2014. Suits our needs (3 adults, all entertainment streamed and general use)

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

dvorak — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 17:16:54 GMT

I went for as fast as I could get - because the upload speeds varies on the download speed

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

bmc — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 17:25:55 GMT

@isdoo

If your current speed works for you then you probably only need FF78. With FTTP you get near to the advertised speeds so around 76 down and 20 up.

You can always upgrade your connection at a later date. There are other speeds available (FF36, FF300 & FF900 I believe).

I assume you realize you lose your phone number if upgrading to FTTP.

Brian

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

isdoo — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 13:53:34 GMT

@bmc

Thanks.

Seems that I can sign up as a new customer and keep the phone line.

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

bmc — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 14:15:30 GMT

@isdoo

With some work you can. You however lose PN e-mail and any other add ons you may have.

If you sign up as a new customer you get the option to keep your phone number but with another provider. VOIP seems to be the way to go on that score. Transferring out you number will cancel your current DSL account.

If you work with a member of staff (not looking at anyone @Gandalf ) you get your FTTP up and running first. As soon as that's done you port your number out which cancels your DSL account. You'll be on the hook for two account charges for the period between FTTP activation and porting your number. However, PN have waived any early termination fees for cancelling DSL accounts in the past (hence the need for staff involvement) so long as PN FTTP is activated first.

Brian

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

isdoo — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 14:21:15 GMT

Thanks @bmc

I did previously have an order but it got mucked up by the Plusnet website and has taken me over a month to cancel and allow me to restart.

Of course during that time I didn't realise I could start over as a new customer.

I do not use Plusnet email or indeed anything else. So nothing to lose.

Been loyal to Plusnet for many years.

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

bmc — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 14:27:07 GMT

@isdoo

I would wait for a staff member to confirm they'll waive early termination charges on the DSL account if you go down the new customer route.

It'll also give you the chance to line up a new phone provider - VOIP or otherwise. Sipgate seemed to be the preferred choice of many but they no longer do free accounts (£10pm now I believe).

Brian

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

cocowalla — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 10:18:51 GMT

> You can always upgrade your connection at a later date. There are other speeds available (FF36, FF300 & FF900 I believe).

Hmm, let's say I'm on the 330Mb package, but am only syncing at 200Mb - if I upgraded to the 500Mb package, would I still only sync at 200Mb?

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

isdoo — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 10:36:44 GMT

@cocowalla it would increase to a minimum of 275mb and upload of 75mb

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

cocowalla — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 10:42:32 GMT

> it would increase to a minimum of 275mb and upload of 75mb

I don't understand this; if I can't sync at higher than 200Mb on the 330Mb package, how come it would sync at higher speed on a different package?

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

RobPN — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 10:43:21 GMT

@cocowalla wrote:

Hmm, let's say I'm on the 330Mb package, but am only syncing at 200Mb - if I upgraded to the 500Mb package, would I still only sync at 200Mb?

@cocowalla

I'm not sure where you get the idea that your FTTP connection has a sync speed. It's not like a DSL service where the modem needs to achieve a 'best effort' type connection.

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

pjmarsh — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 10:48:59 GMT

On FTTP there isn't a sync speed, and the line quality doesn't dictate the speed you get. Either the line will work or it won't. The ONT always connects at a certain speed (something like 2.5GB down and 1.2GB up, though I might have the exact figures wrong). The speed is then capped by the profile set against it to the speed that is purchased.

Edit: And @RobPN beat me to it!

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

cocowalla — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 10:49:38 GMT

> I'm not sure where you get the idea that your FTTP connection has a sync speed. It's not like a DSL service where the modem needs to achieve a 'best effort' type connection.

I got that idea from Plusnet support, who told me that I was only syncing at that rate! I guess that was a lie, as someone else from Plusnet told me it's nonsense too... I get the impression a lot of the support folk are... not the best, and more interested in closing tickets than resolving them

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

cocowalla — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 10:51:50 GMT

@pjmarsh

> the speed is then capped by the profile set against it to the speed that is purchased.

If I only get 200Mb on the 330Mb package, do you think speeds would be faster if I upgraded to the 500Mb package?

In a sense I'm hoping "no", as that could be a way to get out of the contract early if Plusnet can't/won't help resolve my speed issues!

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

isdoo — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 10:59:14 GMT

I can't see them selling the 500mb package if you will not meet the 275mb minimum speed as you would have a get out of the contract etc.

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

SpendLessTime — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 10:59:17 GMT

An upgrade would cause parts of the systems which control your speed to be amended to suit the new limits. This may have the effect of removing whatever is causing the current product not to run at its rated speed. Or it may not.

Re: For those on FTTP - which speed is best?

pjmarsh — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 11:07:15 GMT

I'd say probably no, but not in a way that would get you out of your contract. I can think of a few reasons why you wouldn't be able to get the full speed, and all but 2 of them wouldn't be Plusnet/Openreach related.

The two that might would be down to either equipment on the Openreach network that isn't working well or the equipment hitting their capacity. Both of these Openreach should be able to resolve.

The rest of the many reasons would be down to your setup and equipment. For example, I can only hit about 300Mb on my FF900 from my very high spec work laptop, but can from my much lower powered, and fairly old personal laptop. The reason being, my work laptop proxies all traffic through other services, which limit the speed quite a bit.

Someone else has replied whilst I've been typing this, and the speed profile could be set incorrectly in the Openreach systems, though that should be easier enough for them to check. It's not something I've heard happen before, but its possible with a relatively low number of people on the technology that it's currently a rare occurrence.