Battery Backup Unit

[#1]

Following on from the recent Storm Goretti, we in Cornwall experienced the brunt of it, with loss of power for 96hrs+ and much more.

Do Plusnet therefore offer a BBU (Battery Backup Unit) for their customers ?

I’m on full fibre, no digital voice, but rely on my broadband to make WiFi calls on my mobile (signal is rubbish) ..

I’m also on the Priority Register for utilities due to health issues and medication in the fridge.

Local news ran a segment very recently where OFCOM was quoted as saying that Service Providers have to provide BBU where necessary.

Any thoughts ?

[#2]

Local news ran a segment very recently where OFCOM was quoted as saying that Service Providers have to provide BBU where necessary. 

I think you'll find that the OFCOM requirement to provide battery backup, only  applies where the ISP is providing a VOIP service.

To quote

Ofcom’s General Conditions of Entitlement place an obligation on communications providers to
ensure ‘uninterrupted access to emergency organisations as part of any publicly available telephone
services offered’. 

Plusnet don't provide a phone service over FTTP

[#3]

Fair enough .. it was worth asking.

For what it’s worth, EE are happily sending out BBU’s to their customers even if they don’t have VOIP.

BT / EE & Plusnet are all the same company, so maybe it’s time they had a re-think ?

It’ll certainly influence my decision in a few months when my contract is up

[#4]

A battery backup will only last for about 4 hours ish. If you were out for 96 hours I doubt if there is a home system that would last that long.
Also, you have to take in account any mains supplied hardware on the router back to the exchange, and indeed the exchange itself. Your local telephone exchange may not be the one that provides the fibre to you.

[#5]

This thread UPS required for domestic use might be a useful read.

If something is free I would suspect it will cover the minimum requirements.

[#6]

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Full Fibre to Everything Else

[#7]

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@TR11Falmouth wrote:
For what it’s worth, EE are happily sending out BBU’s to their customers even if they don’t have VOIP.
BT / EE & Plusnet are all the same company, so maybe it’s time they had a re-think ?
It’ll certainly influence my decision in a few months when my contract is up

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Plusnet is the BTplc budget provider, supplying a basic ‘broadband’ service, BT/EE are the premium brand, which includes additional bells and whistles. This is reflected in the price of the service. 
It’s a personal choice whether to pay for a premium service every month and get a free BBU, or buy your own.

[#8]

Plusnet the budget provider ?  Really ?? Don't make me laugh

I'm currently paying £42.99 for full fibre 900

BT (new customer price) is currently £34.99 increasing to £38.99 fpr 1 year, then £42.99 in year 2 - with £160 cashback / gift card

EE are currently charging the same prices, but include all the bells & whistles as you put it.

So, Plusnet are far from the budget provider it seems.

Roll on contract renewal time, as that kind of reply makes me want to jump ship for sure.  In fact EE were offering to pay the remainder of folks contracts in order to gain new customers ... I wonder if there still running that offer ?

[#9]

You must compare like for like. Special offers especially for new customers, are ever present.

To compare like with like, the Plusnet equivalent deal at the moment is £30.99 per month with the same in contract increases plus a £110 gift card.

The trick is to wait until the beginning of the last month of your contract and armed with comparative prices, ring the Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632 and see what sort off deal you can negotiate.

Edit.

Regarding the option of moving to EE and EE picking up the Plusnet ETCs, if you check the EE eligibility requirements you will find that it excludes transfers from BT or Plusnet.

[#10]

@TR11Falmouth 

If the length of hte power cut was a one off then there's not much you can do (apart from the following) other than get a backup unit for up to 4 hrs.

However, if blackouts are a regular occurence have you considered getting a portable generator.

Brian

[#11]

I'm luck in the sense that I've experienced two short power cuts in the 30 years I've been living at my current address.

4hrs would keep me happy, just knowing I'm able to make phone calls via my mobile if needed

[#12]

@TR11Falmouth 

Fair enough on the generator idea.

As far as I can see no one has yet stated the obvious - phone PN and ask. If you don't ask you don't get. Try the PlusNet Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632. Remember to make sure they know you're on the Vunerable Register.

Brian