@Dan_the_Van wrote:
From personal experience from when I worked, I don't think plusnet are managing the PSTN switch off at all, no announcements which results in a information vacuum.
It really is time for them (plusnet) to stop allowing landline contracts being renewed without good reason, eventually it will be a mess and their support will be overloaded with 'what do I do now' calls, the reply being ask the forum!
TBF I do not think we know what Plusnet IS doing. The reality of users is, as here, they will speculate and ask the same questions over and over, leading to an overload of the support channels. That challenge can be mitigated by referring them to the reusable guidance created around here. I might argue that the forums is the best support channel the business has - it is available 24/7, has a wealth of largely informed information, but more importantly readily available solutions to issues / scenarios encountered previously.
What is certain is that PTSN has a limited life - be that end of 2025 or early 2027. Arguing over the precise date is a distraction from encouraging people to plan, especially those who have a marked dependence on a fixed landline due to poor mobile coverage or home support devices dependant on a fixed copper circuit. Switching to VoIP, which provider, choosing an Uninterruptable Power Supply if deemed essential (would be good to see a thread on that) etc., could be the easiest part of the journey, if there are care / fire / burglar alarm systems installed, especially if they are not in contact and / or need wholesale replacement. All of that will take time, probably more than any 90 days ... so planning that NOW seems like an imperative. That might be a more productive use of our gifts of time here.
Local groups might start campaigning for better mobile coverage with their providers - I have done that already with EE (I have a contact). Though it is recognised that my local coverage is poor (I am by no means out in the rural sticks), no improvement is expected for at least 12 months. There is a major kit replacement programme being run - old kit (Huawei and Nokia) being turned off, new capacity being added with new 4G kit. Note that 5G does not have the same reach as 4G.
Back to PN in this game - certainly they have stopped selling POTS/PTSN services to new users. For existing users re-contracting, where available there is a focus on moving users to FTTP (without voice). If the user wants to (a) keep their 'landline' and (b) wants someone else to sort out delivering a two-play service, there is the option of migrating them to BT/EE (with the associated issues). If users want to re-contract EXACTLY as is (that means no BTOR / BTW order - just changes to billing) then for as long as the service can be delivered, until the final notice, they can ... if THEY wish to.
Though we have seen no evidence of it, I can imagine that the business might also be running a number of quiet campaigns: for example I periodically get messages advising that I can get super-extremely-fast FTTP (if I want it). Another potential audience for quite targeting, is those who have a 'with phone' service, but make no outbound calls.
Target enough low-hanging fruit and get them off their landlines with such tactical activities BEFORE the strategic announcement of the end game, would go a long way to avoid a scenario of "support will be overloaded with 'what do I do now' calls".
Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.
