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Frozen iplayer

patwoman
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: ‎29-03-2026

Frozen iplayer

We don't have fibre broadband here, speed check shows 770 Kbps - upload 1.1 mbps. At one time using iplayer was ok unless it was raining or windy..........  In recent months I have been unable to watch iplayer at all except for a picture with continuous pink circle. I've followed all the instructions given by plusnet, turn router off, on, reset etc. etc. etc. but nothing seems to work. I haven't yet tried moving to a new internet provider or taking a hammer to the smart tv. Any suggestions out there please? Plusnet suggests sending a text with a problem but the mobile signal here is rubbish a lot of the time unless I walk uphill away from my house to a minimum of 300 metres.

18 REPLIES 18
PhilipHeyes
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Registered: ‎10-11-2021

Re: Frozen iplayer

Years ago our ADSL long reach connection also degraded over time driving us to Virgin Media as it became available.

The buffering is due to the speed figures being below the minimums for BBC iPlayer.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/questions/getting-started-with-bbc-iplayer/internet-speed

Any signs of Openreach building FTTP in your locality :
https://www.openreach.com/fibre-checker

If you are thinking about a change of ISP, it is going to take a change of connection method to deliver a speed improvement.

Ian06
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Registered: ‎06-04-2021

Re: Frozen iplayer

I believe sending the text from your registered mobile number will cause some automatic diagnostics to be run and if it detects a problem cause an investigation with hopefully an Openreach engineer.  You should be able to send the text from any location when you get a good signal.

patwoman
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: ‎29-03-2026

Re: Frozen iplayer

Many thanks

patwoman
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: ‎29-03-2026

Re: Frozen iplayer

Many thanks for your advice though it seems there is not enough gusto to watch iplayer here.

Fibre Broadband installed in the village but will not be here for 5/6years.

PhilipHeyes
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Registered: ‎10-11-2021

Re: Frozen iplayer

No FTTP for 5 / 6 years ... where did that info come from ?

By end of January 2027 the Analogue Phone lines will all be ceased.  What are you plans ? 

Ian06
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Re: Frozen iplayer

I had thought that even when the old pstn analogue telephone network is switched off people may still be using copper lines for their broadband connection... just that the phone will be voip running over the broadband, the copper line would no longer be connected to a pstn analogue exchange but can still remain to carry DSL broadband signals.

@PhilipHeyes - Maybe my info is out of date?

jab1
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Re: Frozen iplayer

@Ian06 You are correct - it is only the PSTN which is being decommissioned/switched off.

John
PhilipHeyes
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Registered: ‎10-11-2021

Re: Frozen iplayer

@lan06

You correctly mention what is possible, but it does not happen automatically.

jab1
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Re: Frozen iplayer

@PhilipHeyes Could you expand on your last comment, please?

John
PhilipHeyes
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Re: Frozen iplayer

@jab1

I may be wrong but I suspect some perhaps many customers may expect or assume their current
Plusnet internet and phone service will be converted to Plusnet internet and digital voice.

We know that with Plusnet that is not the case, digital voice and VoIP are not Plusnet product offerings of the future. 




markhawkin
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Registered: ‎17-07-2016

Re: Frozen iplayer

@patwoman 

On the assumption that there isn't a fault on the line, it sounds like your speed is below the Universal Service Obligation.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/access-to-decent-broadband/broadband-uso-need-to-know

Without new (or mended) infrastructure a different ISP won't be able to improve on the service you get from Plusnet.

The hammer to the smart TV also won't fix your speed problem!

 

I am the satisfied customer....
jab1
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Re: Frozen iplayer


@PhilipHeyes wrote:

@jab1

I may be wrong but I suspect some perhaps many customers may expect or assume their current
Plusnet internet and phone service will be converted to Plusnet internet and digital voice.

We know that with Plusnet that is not the case, digital voice and VoIP are not Plusnet product offerings of the future. 





So - supposition . OK.

John
PhilipHeyes
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Re: Frozen iplayer

@jab1 take it easy old fellow !

patwoman
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: ‎29-03-2026

Re: Frozen iplayer

Thank you all for your help/comments and other?

Plusnet informs me that I will never be able to watch iplayer living here, however, its not a matter of life and death and I've no intention of moving so onward and "outward" when my contract should renew in a few months. Thanks to all