topic Re: Broadband Usage stats not available in Plusnet Feedback

Broadband Usage stats not available

vaper — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 12:53:30 GMT

Hi there,

I have not been able to to access my Broadband Usage stats since the beginning of this month.

The usage page displays a message saying "Sorry, there's nothing to show at the moment"

Any advice, please, to get my usage stats back?

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

Thrall — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 01:13:36 GMT

VMBU has been withdrawn for quite some time now. Unless you have a limited/capped usage package.

Are you on unlimited?

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

jab1 — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 07:50:02 GMT

@Thrall Looking at that screenshot, @vaper is still on a 10GB package. You don't see that on an Unlimited account.

@vaper - Why have you not re-contracted and switched to an unlimited deal - you are probably paying way over the odds for a restricted service?

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

vaper — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 11:15:28 GMT

Hi Jab1 and thanks for your reply.

Yes, I do have a 10GB monthly usage cap.

The best broadband deals are usually for phone and broadband together but we phone abroad quite a lot so need a phone which charges low rates for these calls. At the moment, I think we are still better off to split phone and broadband over the long run (excluding one-off sign-up deals) but I am reviewing the situation all the time.

Regarding the loss of Broadband Usage stats, I have now raised a ticket with Plusnet Support. Hopefully it won't take too long to resolve.

Rod

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

jab1 — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 11:51:01 GMT

OK @vaper I think I understand your reasoning, and if it works for you, fine.

Don't mean to worry you, but I have a feeling you may be waiting quite a while for a response to your ticket at the moment - my experience over the last few months is that CS are as rare as a blue moon.

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

vaper — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 12:03:54 GMT

Yes, I did kinda get that impression from recent postings on the Community.

Fortunately, I have a little program called Networx which monitors most of my broadband data throughput. Unfortunately, this does not include the line overhead at around 7-10% nor does it include the other half's tablet use so we mostly keep that till after midnight. So I have a rough idea of usage but it's not ideal and I do rely on Plusnet's Usage stats to avoid further charges.

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

jab1 — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 12:08:02 GMT

So long as you are aware, and have a partial solution.

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

MauriceC — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 12:24:37 GMT

Hi @vaper I too support your thought process underlying your product choice, but it is a legacy product and will eventually become unavailable (at least with its current expectations). I liked the stats and was sad to see them go, but in practice I've not really missed them that much

[Personal view here 😉]

Collecting , collating and presenting those stats on the Portal was supported by a number of automated scripts' As Network kit is enhanced and replaced these scripts need revision. Not always easily doable!

I fear that a 'break point' may have been reached?

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

vaper — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 12:48:08 GMT

Hi, @MauriceC , I think you've probably hit the nail on the head there. The disappearance of Broadband Usage stats does seem to have coincided with a recent update to the site.

I did, however, recently receive a Plusnet marketing email offering upgrade options which did specifically say that if I was happy with my present services then I need not do anything. That being the case, I expect the Broadband Usage stats to be retained so that I am able to monitor my usage. Alternatively, I see a full-blown complaint being started.

For the moment, all I can do is await developments.

Rod

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

Townman — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 16:12:43 GMT

@vaper wrote:

The best broadband deals are usually for phone and broadband together but we phone abroad quite a lot so need a phone which charges low rates for these calls. At the moment, I think we are still better off to split phone and broadband ...

Rod

Hi Rod,

Just because your phone line is with Plusnet does not mean that you have to use Plusnet to carry the chargeable phone calls. Indirect Access call providers such as Call18866 - Home can be very inexpensive compared to BT's and Plusnet's out of bundle call charges. There are other providers as well! For example 18185's web site looks identical to 18866 but the connection charge is 1p cheaper. There used to be lots of IA providers, but I cannot readily identify them now!

Also you do not need to use the phone line to communicate, there are lots of ways of staying in touch using free to use internet technologies - see How to make free or cheap international phone calls - Save the Student

Having both you phone and broadband services from the same supplier also eliminates issues of who is responsible when the broadband plays up.

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

vaper — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 19:22:56 GMT

Hi Townman , thanks for your input.

I was using the 1899 prefix before I changed my phone provider but I noticed at the time that these were increasingly being barred. Indeed my current provider bars them but their standard prices are on a par with the prefix providers.

As I said earlier, I am keeping an eye on the situation.

Rod

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

RobPN — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 20:03:49 GMT

@vaper

You could always use VoIP - cheaper than those pre-fix providers.

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

vaper — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 20:52:21 GMT

With the pitiful broadband speed Plusnet is giving me (600kBytes/s max), I'm not sure that would work too well at the moment.

If I upgrade, that may be an option to try.

Rod

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

Townman — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 21:16:31 GMT

It will not be PlusNET giving you that, but BT Openreach. 600k BYTES sounds like 6+mbps which is enough for VOIP.

Suggest you raise a post on either ADSL or fibre boards as appropriate to see if there’s any room for improvement.

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

vaper — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 21:36:07 GMT

The speed problem is, apparently, that I am a long way from my nearest exchange and at the moment I think it's an all copper connection. If I upgrade, I think I'll need a copper/fibre combi to the exchange.

As things stand, the 10GB monthly cap is sufficient for our email/surfing needs so there's no real hurry to upgrade until there's an obvious price advantage.

Rod

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

MisterW — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 13:21:00 GMT

So I have a rough idea of usage but it's not ideal and I do rely on Plusnet's Usage stats to avoid further charges.

@vaper I understand why you would like the usage stats back, but are you aware that PlusNet have waived all additional usage charges during the current pandemic ? You may still get the warning SMS but any charge should not appear on your bill

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

vaper — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 13:42:51 GMT

Wow ! Thanks MisterW .

Now you come to mention it, I seem to recall being advised of Plusnet waiving additional charges during the pandemic but I had completely forgotten about it.

A very welcome reminder.

Rod

Re: Broadband Usage stats not available

vaper — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 12:00:20 GMT

Ok. Just to round off this topic I've had it confirmed today that Plusnet no longer applies a cap to usage in the 'Value' range of services and for this reason the usage data is no longer available.

Thanks for all your comments.

Rod.