topic Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP in My Router

Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

Segynowycz — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:18:05 GMT

Im just about to swap from BT to Plusnet and almost halved my monthly fee.

Ive just received the FTTP router which looks exactly the same as the BT router. Can I simply leave the BT router in place so it swaps over service provider seamlessly without the need to change all the WiFi credentials on everything.?

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

MisterW — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:22:18 GMT

@Segynowycz BT are likely to want their router returned.

If not , then it can be configured to work on a Plusnet connection by changing the PPPoE username & password, see here https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/Using-the-BT-Smarthub-6-on-a-Plusnet-Account/m-p/1760435#M20929

Otherwise, reconfigure the Plusnet Hub Wifi settings with the ones from the BT Hub

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

jab1 — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:25:58 GMT

@Segynowycz How long have you had the BT router? For some time now, these have only been 'on loan' and should be returned when you leave BT.

In any case, when you swap, you will have to change various settings to connect to to Plusnet.

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

Segynowycz — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:39:56 GMT

thank you @MisterW - Changing the name and password settings feels a bit easier than reconfiguring. I was just hoping for an easy life. Everything seems to run on WiFi now, Ive got past the youthful excitement of new technology.

Ive got a whole stack of old routers that BT have never asked to be returned. I could have an IT ridout if they send a large enough box.

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

MisterW — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:46:04 GMT

Changing the name and password settings feels a bit easier than reconfiguring

@Segynowycz changing the wifi settings isn't difficult. You just need a note of the BT wifi network name & password (its on the card at the back if you haven't changed from the default). Then just login to the Plusnet router (ideally via a wired connection) and goto the wireless settings. Change the network name & password to those you noted.

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

Dan_the_Van — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:48:43 GMT

@Segynowycz

The wireless name is changed here

Hope this helps

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

outcast — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:50:10 GMT

@jab1 wrote:

How long have you had the BT router? For some time now, these have only been 'on loan' and should be returned when you leave BT.

The 'loan' of equipment applies to BT customers who started or renewed contracts from 13th December 2019.

If the equipment isn't returned within 60 days of leaving BT, then BT will charge for each outstanding device,

see How to return and recycle your BT equipment

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

jab1 — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:53:00 GMT

Thank for the date, @outcast - I’ll try and remember it for future reference.

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

outcast — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 17:03:21 GMT

@jab1

I would be surprised that there would be any BT customers moving to Plusnet (presumably to save costs) that had been paying out-of-contract rates since 2019, so remembering that date is almost irrelevant, as the loaned item returns policy probably applies to 99% of such people.

I was surprised that policy started so long ago, I thought it was a more recent change, but the BT document must be right.

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

jab1 — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 17:09:48 GMT

I would agree with you, @outcast , but you would be surprised at the number of individuals who demand 'proof' when you tell them such things.

I was surprised at the date too - thought it was only in the last to or three years.

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

outcast — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 17:42:24 GMT

Fortunately, returning ISP supplied equipment will never be an issue for me,

I've been on the internet for over 30 years, and have NEVER used an ISP supplied bit of kit.

Coincidently, the parts for my next router arrived yesterday, as I want to be ready for FTTP

now that Openreach started laying the under-road ducting for the fibre-optic cables on Wednesday,

and the recent need to now run the WAN connections over VPN so as not to appear to be in the UK.

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

Segynowycz — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 07:10:39 GMT

thank you @Dan_the_Van , that was most useful. A picture of what the screen looks like is a great idea. I can probably plug it in to a laptop and get ready in advance

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

Baldrick1 — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 09:41:33 GMT

@Segynowycz wrote:

I can probably plug it in to a laptop and get ready in advance

Just make sure that the laptop is totally disconnected from your BT network. For example, if yout connect the laptop to the hub using Ethernet then switch off the laptop wireless.

The BT and Plusnet hubs use the same Admin ~~SSID~~ IP Address.

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

Segynowycz — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 09:35:15 GMT

That's making me feel more like they are exactly the same. I might just leave the BT one in place after the changeover to see if it works. What's the worst that could happen !

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

Dan_the_Van — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 09:46:11 GMT

@Segynowycz

Which BT hub do you have?

Some newer models the Broadband Username is locked to BT making it impossible to change for your plusnet account details.

I'm a bit confused by this statement "The BT and Plusnet hubs use the same Admin SSID"

Both the BT and Hub Two share the same IP Address, so it is important your laptop is only connected to the Hub Two only using a LAN cable with WiFi turned off.

I would swap the BT Hub for the Hub two and then change the wireless name when you go live with plusnet

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

Baldrick1 — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 09:49:42 GMT

@Segynowycz

Nothing bad will happen. I used a BT Smarthub on a Plusnet service for years.

When the BT service switches to Plusnet the service will stop. At this point all that you need to do is remove the WAN cable (this is essential), log in to the BT hub and change the Username to <yournewaccountusername>@plusdsl.net and change the Password to your Plusnet one. After settings are saved, plug the WAN cable back in.

Note that you might not get Internet access straight away as Plusnet need to set up the acoount on their system.

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

jab1 — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 09:52:06 GMT

BUT, @Segynowycz , note that keeping the BT Hub will probably cost you £60.00

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

Baldrick1 — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 09:56:51 GMT

@Dan_the_Van wrote:

I'm a bit confused by this statement "The BT and Plusnet hubs use the same Admin SSID"

Sorry for the confusion Dan, it was a bit early for me and my brain was not fully in gear.

I have heard conflicting tales about whether Smarthub 2s work but believe that they do. I suspect that the latest ones that we know don't work post date the date after which BT started charging for the non return of hardware.

Re: Swap from BT to Plusnet FTTP

spile — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 06:04:53 GMT

Transferring settings is straightforward as the routers are virtually the same. Once the service stops, swap the routers over. A few weeks later you will get details for returning your BT router. As you can tell I did the same swap a couple of years ago.