"It's time to go broadband only" - email from PlusNet

[#1]

@jab1 

Maybe, but I must admit that it considerably weakens my argument regarding contract release. Not withstanding any personal allegiance to Plusnet, or aversion to EE, this reads to me that this can be seen at the top level as simply a change in little more than billing details and router.

This sees the current contract out at the current price, leaving the customer freedom to move if they wish when the Plusnet contract ends without any time pressures.

[#2]

The fine print that the new contract with EE will honour my current price and duration is a positive but there's no gurantee what will happen after that - why are EE immune to the digital switchover anyway?

Having to switch to a new router isn't the worst thing in the world but I like how everything is nicely set up just as I want it.

On the other hand what is more effort, swapping out my router or hanging on the phone to Support trying to get this sorted!?

Perhaps trying to get out of the contract early "to save them the hassle" is worth a try.

Interestingly, literally last week two OR chappies came wandering up the drive, surveying my property for fibre upgrades, so that could be an interesting development.

[#3]

EE are not immune, it's simply the case that BT has decided that Plusnet, their budget ISP, will not offer a digital phone service.

[#4]

@MisterPlusBoy 

What do OpenReach say for your address?

https://www.openreach.com/

Brian

[#5]

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@bmc wrote:

@MisterPlusBoy 

What do OpenReach say for your address?

https://www.openreach.com/

Brian

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There was some chat about this earilier in the thread which involved some detailed techy stuff.. official position is they have no plans to supply me, that they are prepared to admit

[#6]

It's "make your mind up" time it seems.

• Going EE would be a fairly simple "one box" solution and would cost you no more for the remainder of the current contract. After that it depends on their then current price and what you pay at the moment. You do, however get a new router to get "as you like it".
• Plusnet "broadband only" means you need to find a VoIP supplier, get your landline moved to their service and there is the need to do "something" to get the existing phones to work. If you go down this route you should have a saving on what you pay Plusnet but cost for the VoIP supplier and some one off purchases (probably). It's not who I use but if I were doing this now I would look at Voipfone as a "domestic user friendly" service ( https://www.voipfone.co.uk/solutions/residential ) 

[#7]

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@Baldrick1 wrote:

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@MisterPlusBoy wrote:

Your Plusnet broadband and home phone service will stop working after the national Digital Switchover. To keep you connected and to allow you to keep a home phone, we’re moving your broadband and home phone over to EE. As we are both part of the same family, we know you’ll be looked after.
....
Don't use a home phone? Stay with Plusnet.
If like many you don't use your home phone, you can stay with Plusnet by switching to a broadband only package.
If we haven't heard from you about remaining with Plusnet in the next 30 days, we'll begin moving your broadband and home phone to EE.

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I'm afraid that an email like this would really get my back up! As you have a Starlink alternative I would suggest contacting Plusnet and demanding that if they can no longer provide the contracted service then they release you penalty free from the contract. If necessary raise a formal complaint https://www.plus.net/help/legal/complaints-code-of-practice.

In practice I can't see how they can bounce you over to EE or transfer you to SoGEA without your agreement.

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I had the same email a few days ago. 

Whats really getting up my nose is they are only offering 2 options keep phone go to ee or sign up for bb only which will end my phone now.  When I signed up for a 12 month contract phone/bb in november all that was stated was that after the 12 months were up it would have to be a bb only contract.  And at no point have they said the contract is ending early. Its like they are part of the same group so its all OK to just move people around.

I was expecting to carry on until the end of contract, probably port out the phone and decide whether to stay or  move away from plusnet. 

[#8]

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@markhawkin wrote:

It's "make your mind up" time it seems.

• Going EE would be a fairly simple "one box" solution and would cost you no more for the remainder of the current contract. After that it depends on their then current price and what you pay at the moment. You do, however get a new router to get "as you like it".
• Plusnet "broadband only" means you need to find a VoIP supplier, get your landline moved to their service and there is the need to do "something" to get the existing phones to work. If you go down this route you should have a saving on what you pay Plusnet but cost for the VoIP supplier and some one off purchases (probably). It's not who I use but if I were doing this now I would look at Voipfone as a "domestic user friendly" service ( https://www.voipfone.co.uk/solutions/residential ) 

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The thing is I don't use, want or need a home phone. If PN would simply swap me to the equivalent BB only package on my current contract duration, I'd be happy with that. 

[#9]

Yes, that's not one of the options they originally gave you.

It's possible that your area is "stop sell" for copper based services so swapping you to the equivalent "broadband over copper wires" service for the remainder of the contract isn't possible (Openreach won't accept the order for that).

Probably worth a phone call to Plusnet.

[#10]

Our area has no fibre yet.  I do use my landlines but dont really want to go to EE its the call centres.   At least with plusnet you get someone on the phone whos first language is English. 

When you get older, hearing and concentration is not so good.  I've still got a good range of hearing, but have had some awful experiences with overseas staff. Its not that they wern't being helpful or polite, but either I couldn't make out what they were saying or they couldn't understand what I was saying. I've had to ring off many times and call again hoping for a different member of staff.  It turns a 20 minute call into hours of waitng and stress.

[#11]

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@Spik3y wrote:

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I was expecting to carry on until the end of contract, probably port out the phone and decide whether to stay or  move away from plusnet. 

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I'm afraid that i doesn't work this way. If you port out your phone this automatically cancels the broadband service. You have to decide on your ISP first. If you move to an ISP that offers a digital phone service then it will transfer seamlessly.

Alternatively, whatever you decide will cancel the PSTN phone service. You then have 30 days to recover the number by transferring it to a VoIP provider, or it's lost forever.