topic Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon? in My Router

Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Annie — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 14:36:08 GMT

I have been a customer for over 20 years and have just renewed my broadband contract today. I did, however, see in a Facebook Plusnet Broadband Support Group that people are mentioning that Plusnet are going to be releasing a new router very soon. Firstly, has anyone here heard this and, if true, would I be allowed to have one or have I missed the boat by renewing already? I have a Plusnet Hub One Router at present.

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

bmc — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:45:09 GMT

@Annie

There is good reason to believe PlusNet will be launcing a FTTP product before the end of the year (a senior staffie gave an interview saying as much). It is believed (though not provan) that a new router will be introduced at the same time.

Current thoughts are it'll be a re-badged BT SmartHub One or Two - as part of the rumour mill BT are supposed to be introducing a new router as well (SmartHub3 ?).

However, until an offical announcement is made it's all speculation.

Brian

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Longliner — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:53:22 GMT

Hi Annie

Yes, there has been talk of a new PN router, but don't hold your breath! Chances are it will go first to new customers. I'll guess it will be based on the BT HH6 just as the Hub One is based on the HH5. As a cheap and cheerful router Hub One does its job for most people but many of us are very happy with the HH6 at £5-£20 on auction sites. My HH6 gives at least 20% better wifi. Plenty of info on setting it up from stickies at start of this thread, the guide is detailed and easy to follow.

Best wishes, Mike

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Annie — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 16:24:20 GMT

Thank you @bmc and @Longliner - I'll wait and see what transpires. I guess FTTP means them having to route a new cable into my house. I am not sure I want to go to all that trouble - I keep my router upstairs.

I had trouble a while ago with broadband dropouts but Plusnet sent me a replacement Hub One a few months ago which is going OK in the main so there's no need to change anything immediately.

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

bmc — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 16:35:00 GMT

@Annie

To get FTTP it has to be available for your property. Use the following to check.

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

You'd need to see "WBC FTTP" in the left hand column (not FTTP on Demand).

Yes, a new cable does need to come into your house and a small Optical Network Terminater (ONT) fixed on the wall. OpenReach can (and do) use the existing phone line entry point to save drilling. However, if you have an overhead feed the new line can be placed elsewhere (within reason).

Brian

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Annie — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 19:02:22 GMT

@bmc

Thanks Brian. It only came up with FTTP On Demand which is odd because they've digging up the estate in recent months and it was something to do with fibre broadband. They finished ours about 3 weeks ago and we were the last ones. Maybe it'll be coming in due course.

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

bmc — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 21:05:13 GMT

@Annie

It could be one of the other providers. You can check here

https://www.openreach.com/

Brian

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Annie — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 11:39:43 GMT

@bmc That link says FTTC for my postcode. Not to worry. I'm satisfied with my broadband in any case.

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

bmc — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 14:37:43 GMT

@Annie

Unfortunately the term "fibre" is used for both FTTC & FTTP which can and does cause confusion. From what you said about the work being done I'm surprised it's not for pure fibre. I can't see why OR would be doing so much if it was for FTTC which you already have. I have one final checker if you want to try. It should list any provider (active or in build).

https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/broadband-coverage

Can you remember whose vans were doing the work. If not OR or one of the other alternative suppliers then there should have been signs up saying on whose behalf they were working.

In one respect it doesn't matter. You're happy with your current service. However, FTTP does provide a more stable connection and you should receive close to the advertised speeds so is always worht considering if available.

In respect of your original query I suspect (as originally mentioned) that PlusNet won't be handing out new routers willy nilly. I also supsect a lot of people will ask for one!!! As a customer of 20 years standing you might well have a good case for asking.

Brian

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Annie — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 10:18:15 GMT

@bmc

Thanks Brian. That last link says I can get Ultrafast Broadband at 600Mbps. I can't remember who was doing the work but they had banners with a green background and yellow writing (I think). It wasn't the name of a supplier I recognised so I wondered whether they were contracted doing the work.

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Annie — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 10:23:57 GMT

@bmc

I'm in Plymouth and I just Googled it and found this: https://www.cityfibre.com/news/cityfibre-kick-starts-plymouths-full-fibre-future/

I'm fairly sure this was the company.

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

bmc — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:27:21 GMT

@Annie

If you look again at the Ofcom checker it should say CityFibre near the bottom of the window. When I did mine OpenReach was shown but not highlighted as such.

So faster speeds are available if ever desired but you would have to leave PlusNet.

Brian

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Annie — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:39:04 GMT

It just said Virgin and Openreach but then Openreach just says up to 80 Mbps when I click through to them. I wonder if Plusnet will one day be able to offer these speeds. I'm in no hurry but they would probably get left behind if they don't keep up with the latest offerings.

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

bmc — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 14:18:02 GMT

@Annie

If you can currently receive download speeds of 30+ then OpenReach will be in no hurry to upgrade their infrastructure to support FTTP - they're spending their time elsewhere. They might get to you eventually.

It's possible that the CityFibre network in Plymouth isn't yet live so isn't showing up on the Ofcom checker. You can check both them and Virgin to see what might be available.

https://www.cityfibre.com/

https://www.virginmedia.com/broadband

Brian

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Baldrick1 — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 07:17:13 GMT

What really gets my goat is Government support plus the profit from my connection being spent by Openreach installing FTTP in areas that are already being serviced by another fibre installer.

Meanwhilw we in rural villages do not appear in any plans for the upgrade and are left in the 20th century.

Why oh why can't these companies be made to cover as much of the country with FTTP as is practicable before they start a competition war between themselves in the easy to cover cities?

My only consolation is that this is saving pretty country villages from being overrun with working from home townies coming from big cities and buying up property, hence inflating prices out of the range of locals.

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

bill888 — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 12:35:37 GMT

fwiw, Openreach also wish to phase out the old PSTN network (analogue phone) by 2025. (Apparently, ADSL broadband is not affected) I read there are already 'Stop Sell' order restrictions on a growing number of exchanges for PSTN. It appears another 100 exchanges will be added to the list next month.

This surely would mean a new customer wishing to join Plusnet for FTTP, FTTC, or ADSL, and require a phone service on those exchanges, would have to use something similar to BT's 'Digital Voice' service.

Only the current Smart hub 2 has phone jacks on the back for a customer's own telephone handsets. It probably wouldn't make sense to offer the Smart Hub 1 ?

If it is indeed true that BT customers will see a new Smart Hub 3, then it's not unreasonable to assume new Plusnet customers may get the older Smart Hub 2 ?

All speculation of course.

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Annie — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 12:31:30 GMT

@bmc the site says it's not available yet so I imagine they haven't flicked the switch, so to speak..

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Annie — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 12:33:07 GMT

@Baldrick1 I do sympathise. I don't think it's right at all to not get everyone on at least some sort of fibre connection.

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

bmc — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 13:43:43 GMT

@Annie

I assume the CityFibre site confirmed it was coming, just not yet. At least you now know the options currently available to you should you feel the need for speed!

One last thing to point out is that CityFibre "wholesale" their network so you would have a small choise of ISP's. One of these is Zen Internet who have a good reptuation and provide a well regarded router.

https://www.zen.co.uk/broadband/ultrafast-fibre-broadband/fullfibre900plus

Brian

Re: Is there a new Plusnet Router coming soon?

Annie — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 14:18:21 GMT

@bmc - yes that's what it said on the site. By some strange co-incidence I just got a leaflet in the post from CityFibre telling me that it's coming soon and to sign up to find out when. Spooky!