Moving from PlusNet FTTC to PlusNet FTTP with BT phone contract

[#1]

Currently I have FTTC with PlusNet, but my house phone contract is with BT.

I've been plagued with periods of frequent dropouts over the last few months which remain unresolved.

BT say PlusNet issue, PlusNet say Openreach issue , Openreach say PlusNet router issue, PlusNet say no new router as I'm out of contract - (been with PlusNet since 2007, last contract expired ~10 yrs ago.), the 3 different routers I've tried do not resolve the issue.

So it's time to get off the merry-go-around and upgrade to FTTP.

My question is how to do I co-ordinate the termination of the BT phone contract with the FTTP upgrade - as I believe they remove the copper cable when installing the fibre cable.

If BT terminate early I lose broadband, as FTTC requires the landline
If BT terminate late I pay for a phoneline I no longer have.

Tried to get an answer via the chat support service, but the agent suggested going for BT - which seems odd.

I would think this is a fairly common upgrade path - there has to be a recommended process.

Or is going for BT fibre the only way?

Steve

[#2]

@TBSteve 

First question is - do you want to retain a landline (VOIP) and / or your number?

Brian

[#3]

Do you intend to abandon using your house phone once you have moved to FTTP,

or are you also attempting to port the landline phone number to VoIP, so that you still have a functioning house phone ?

[#4]

Happy to abandon the landline - no plans to port the number

[#5]

Second question, are you still in a contract on your BT phone, or are you out of contract on a rolling monthly payment ?

[#6]

Sorry - should have made it clear - I am out of contract periods with BT and PN - I'm a free agent

[#7]

@TBSteve assuming you don't wish to keep the landline phone service, then it's simple.

You upgrade your Plusnet FTTC to Full Fibre (FTTP), as part of this process, they will cease the landline. Yes, I know that sounds strange because they don't provide the landline! but they place a 'change of ownership, cease' order on Openreach against the landline, to coincide with the FTTP install. This will automatically cancel your BT contract (I assume you're not in a minimum term and subject to ETC's ?) and they will send you a 'sorry you are leaving' letter/email.

as I believe they remove the copper cable when installing the fibre cable.

They don't neccessarily remove the copper line, depends on how the line is routed

Hope that helps

edit: some of my queries already answered above

[#8]

@TBSteve 

As stated you get FTTP installed - if that doesn't cancel the phone line (I understand it does) then you deal with it after the install.

Note you don't have to stay with PN for FTTP - you can have a look around at other suppliers who use the OpenReach network (assuming it's OR who can provide the FTTP). If you leave PN you loose e-mail and any other add ons on the day you move.

Brian

[#9]

@TBSteve

DO NOT contact BT to give notice that you are ending your phone contract, as that might also cause a premature cease on your FTTC if for example your FTTP installation gets delayed.  By not communicating with BT but keeping your direct debit or other payment method in place, you will automatically get charged for the cost of your last phone calls, and refunded the unused remainder of the month which you would have already  paid for in advance.

[#10]

Thanks @MisterW @Anonymous and @bmc 

If the process is that straight forward it seems odd that the PN Agent seemed unaware of the process - or maybe I was just over thinking it.

I have had a quick look around options, but I've been happy enough with PN so will probably stay and get the FF500 package

[#11]

Your outages may be caused by Openreach faults, router faults are usually obvious. Remember that if there is a line fault your problems will continue whatever your ISP. 

[#12]

---

@Longliner wrote:

...  if there is a line fault your problems will continue whatever your ISP. 

---

which is why  @TBSteve  is trying to move from copper FTTC to optical FTTP - to change the line !

[#13]

@TBSteve 

Do you really need FF500?

Speed received should be close to advertised (unlike FTTC distance doesn't affect things). If you're happy enough with your current speeds then FF145 might do you and is cheaper. It's easy to upgrade at a later date if needed,

Brian

[#14]

I agree, upgrading speed tiers can be done at anytime, whereas downgrading within contract can't be done without a fight !

[#15]

Good points @bmc  and @Anonymous - not much different in price between 145 and 500 - odd that 300 is more than 500 -I guess I was falling for the supersize me offer.