FTTC Broadband Renewal

[#1]

My existing FTTC Broadband contract will be ending soon and thought I would take a look at other options including Plusnet.

It appears that Plusnet only want to offer FTTP now, as much as I would like to switch to FTTP it would mean digging up my tarmac drive and the existing house entry point is a distance from my router which is connected via telephone cable.

So I will have to remain as FTTC, where can I find cost options to renew this and it is rather annoying as the cheapest FTTP is less than I am paying now, so would expect a reduction rather than an increase especially with the annual £4 increases.

Moderator's note(s):

Original title and post reinstated as there are several replies.

[#2]

@Richchad Why do you think digging is involved? Typically the fibre is pulled along the same route as your existing copper cable, overhead or in a duct.

As for the entry point, again not necessarily an issue. There will be a small fibre junction box on the outside of your home, at a point to be agreed between you and the installer, then a corresponding mains-powered unit usually directly inside from that. The router is connected to that by ethernet cable so doesn't have to be close at all, though typically only a short cable is supplied.

You can run your own ethernet cable to a router wherever suits you, some people have I believe also used "homeplug" devices (ethernet over mains) to make this link.

[#3]

I deleted my post as I found the renewal option for my existing FTTC which was actually cheaper than I pay now.

Although my existing Plusnet contract doesn't expire until 16th January 2027 so not sure if renewal would start immediately or when existing contract ends.

I hadn't thought that a fibre cable could be installed via a duct in place of the existing telephone cable, but that still leaves the problem getting from house entry point to my office where existing router is.

I already have homeplug for CCTV cameras so that might cause a problem if used to connect to my router.

I will give it some more thought but thanks for the info.

[#4]

@Richchad 

Have a look at the following.

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

Assuming WBC FTTP is listed, what does it say to the right? Hopefully it'll be OneStage. Below the results window will be a narrative on the FTTP install - this note if any problems are expected.

This link provides info on the FTTP install. As already stated the router is connected via ethernet cable so can go anywhere you're happy to run said cable. Note that there is a certain leeway as to where the ineternal ONT goes - this is discussed on the day with the installer.

https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/full-fibre-broadband-installation-checklist

Brian

[#5]

@Richchad You can usually renew at any time, I did so a while back well before my FTTC contract finished as a "good deal" was available. The new (usually 2 year) contract will run from the date you take the deal, not the old contract termination date. You just need to factor in the annual increases to work out if its actually worthwhile.