Can I cancel my phone line when on the Fibre plan?

[#1]

Hi

Can someone help clarify whether I still need my BT phone line when on the Fibre (FTTC up to 76mbps) plan?

If it helps, I have a one of those BT modems that goes straight into the master socket and then my router plugs into this modem.

I have been on this plan for maybe 8 years and I was always under the impression that a phone line was needed and then I saw on the Plusnet site recently that the current Fibre plan listed doesn't require a phone line. I'm not sure if it's the exact "same" plan as mine. Am I confusing this with ADSL that a phone line is required?

Thanks

[#2]

@sg888 If you are moving to an FTTC product, you still need the phone line, as that carries the signals. What are you currently on?

I'm guessing you are on ADSL. 

[#3]

Hi @jab1 

I'm currently on "Unlimited Fibre Extra".

Yes this is why I'm confused as that has always been my understanding as well. But looking at the page here suggests otherwise 

https://www.plus.net/broadband/broadband-without-landline/

This is assuming that it's same product or service. As I understand, there is only Fibre (FTTC) and Full Fibre (FTTP)

[#4]

Then you are 'moving' to exactly the same service, although it has been renamed. The difference is that there is no 'voice' (phone) service with it.

[#5]

@sg888 

To explain , the Unlimited Fibre Extra comprised two components, Telephone Line Rental and Broadband.

In reality the Line rental component had two purposes, the maintenance of the copper wires and the supply of a landline phone service (both provied by Openreach)

The new (confusingly called, since its not full fibre) Fibre service provides the same Broadband and line maintenance components but no phone service. So it uses exactly the same copper wires (to the cabinet) and connections in the home BUT with no telephone service. 

Just dont expect the broadband only Fibre product to be vastly cheaper than the existing Unlimited Fibre with phone service, since the line maintenance aspect is still needed. In any case Openreach are switching off the telephone service sometime next year anyway.

[#6]

If I understood correctly, then I can just cut off my line then with BT and the internet will just function as normal or do I need to "move" to this renamed service - therefore renewing (on rolling) - and then cut off my phone line?

[#7]

@sg888 Sorry, 'Fibre74' is the  lowest speed FULL FIBRE product PN offer, which is delivered over a new line. Their product descriptions are highly confusing.

[#8]

then I can just cut off my line then with BT and the internet will just function as normal or do I need to "move" to this renamed service - therefore renewing (on rolling) - and then cut off my phone line?

@sg888 does that imply that you pay BT Retail separately for your phone line and Plusnet for your broadband ?

If that's the case then , NO you cant just terminate your phone line with BT. You must change your Plusnet product from Unlimited Fibre Extra to Fibre, that will in fact automatically terminate your phone service and contract with BT Retail. 

NB check that you dont have any minimum contract left with BT as otherwise there may be Early Termination charges 

[#9]

@MisterW that's correct, I pay BT for the phone line and Plusnet for the broadband.

I think that makes sense now. Thank you very much @MisterW @jab1 for your help

[#10]

@sg888 so in effect , you've been paying the rolling out-of-contract price to Plusnet. If you were to take a contract with Plusnet ( usually 24bmonths}  then your monthly charge would be significantly lreduced

[#11]

@MisterW Ids the OP not suggesting they are considering Full Fibre? I'm totally confused.

[#12]

AFAICS They've never mentioned Full Fibre  , just Fibre 74 i.e SoGEA up to 74Mb

[#13]

---

@MisterW wrote:

then I can just cut off my line then with BT and the internet will just function as normal or do I need to "move" to this renamed service - therefore renewing (on rolling) - and then cut off my phone line?

@sg888 does that imply that you pay BT Retail separately for your phone line and Plusnet for your broadband ?

If that's the case then , NO you cant just terminate your phone line with BT. You must change your Plusnet product from Unlimited Fibre Extra to Fibre, that will in fact automatically terminate your phone service and contract with BT Retail. 

NB check that you dont have any minimum contract left with BT as otherwise there may be Early Termination charges 

---

Surely the OP (sg888) is effectively asking for a transfer to a SOGEA service? That is, FTTC broadband, which they are on now, but without a telephone service.

The answer to that should simply be "Yes". Though they may need to argue with Plusnet COTS over the new contract - as they will want to get the customer on the Full Fibre product; which is something else. 🙂

[#14]

Ah, OK, so, confusingly there is an FTTC74 and an FFTP74? No wonder I'm confused.😕

[#15]

@sg888 

You contact PlusNet and ask them to transfer you to a SOGEA product - this is FTTC without any phone service. You'll not notice the difference on the day of transfer apart from maybe a short down period.

The transfer will automatically cancel your phone line. BT will bill you for any outstanding period plus early termination charges if they apply.

You do not tell BT about it.

Brian