Being incentivised to go full fibre scares me

[#1]

Just received an email from PN making various offers for renewal. At present we have FTTC and a land line.

It appears that all these offers involve various flavours of full fibre to the house which apparently dispenses with the need to have a land line. This worries me:-

1. Many threads on this forum centre around an unstable service with full fibre after a switch.

2. As an elderly couple, we rely on our land line and have no desire to loose the convenience it provides.

My questions are:-

A. Will it mean digging up my front yard to fit the fibre?

B. Will full fibre provide free telephone calls?

C. What happens if there is a power cut?

D. If I get a UPS to run the fibre modem during a power cut what happens if the street cabinet and exchange are without power?

Moderators Note: Topic title adjusted to remove avoidance of swear filter.

[#2]

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Full Fibre to My Account / Billing

[#3]

@Clangrant 

To confirm it's Full Fibre on offer use the following Checker.

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

You're looking for WBC FTTP in the left hand column. If it's there, what does it say to the right (Available, One Stage or KCI2)

Below the results window will be a narrative on FTTP install - what does this say?

Brian

[#4]

Herewith the narrative below the table:

Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG premises served by 1 Inch duct 100.

FTTP is available and a new ONT may be ordered.

The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme

As a WLR withdrawal exchange, product restrictions apply

SOADSL is not restricted at the exchange

For all ADSL and WBC Fibre to the Cabinet (VDSL or G.fast) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

For all SOADSL services,the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

Actual speeds experienced by end users and quoted by CPs will be lower due to a number of factors within and external to 's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.

If you decide to place an order for a WBC fibre product, an appointment may be required for an engineer to visit the end user's premises to supply the service

In order to be eligible for handback, downstream speed should be less than Downstream Handback Threshold values.

ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL availability: If shown at FTTP or SOGEA premises,ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL are not available to order due to WLR Withdrawal stop sell rules. CPs should order FTTP or SOGEA. Copper products are only available by exception.

[#5]

OK, but doesnt an "apparent" reduction in price together with potential dropping the copper line is relevant to billing?

[#6]

@Clangrant 

Thanks for the information.

It appears that OR do not think there will be any problems with the FTTP install. The fibre will be run using the existing duct to terminate in an external box. It then gets brought in to an ONT (Optical Network Adaptor). However, it's something you just never know until the day of install.

The main part of the cost is in the provision and maintenance of the cable supplying the service. The phone cost is minimal so little savings to be had when it's removed.

There is no phone service with FTTP. - you need to use VOIP. PN have stated they will not be providing a VOIP service so you'll either need to change ISP to one who does or choose an independant VOIP provider when the time comes.

Note that PSTN is being withdrawn in the relative near future. You'll have little choice then but to go to VOIP.

Given you age, do you qualify as "vulnerable person". Login to you PN Members account and then under Manage My Account look at he Additional Support section.

Brian

[#7]

@Clangrant 

Sorry, one other thing I should have asked.

In the results from the Checker, just below the window will be a heading Priority Fibre Exchange - does this say Y or N?

Brian

[#8]

@Clangrant 

1. Unstable Full Fibre speeds are very rare. The recent spate were due to an issue that has now been resolved.

2. If you ring the Customer Options Team (COT) on 0800 013 2632 they may agree to extend your current contract 'as is', but by the end of next year you are going to have to move to a digial phone. As Plusnet are not providing a phone service, if you want to avoid the hassle of setting up a third party VoIP service you will need to move to another ISP. The easy option is to ask the COT to move you to EE, who will manage the move for you. I'm sure others will offer other suggestions.

A. The BT checker reads that you have a 4" duct across your yard with the existing phone wire in. Can you see where it comes out of the ground?

B. No. Depending on who you use for telephone calls will determine call charges.

C. During a power cut you need to provide power to the fibre ONT and router with a UPS.

D. Full Fibre is powered from a head end exchange. It goes nowhere near small local exchanges or FTTC street cabinets.

[#9]

@Clangrant 

If I were in your situation I might get your existing Plusnet service extended "as is" at the end of the current contract (by phoning up).

When (eventually) full fibre is the only option get a BT (EE) service of fibre with an included phone line.

There are other providers and possibilities but keeping it simple and having one provider has a value.

When you do have a BT (or EE) service take a view of how many calles you make as unlimited tends to be a bit expensive.

[#10]

FTTP Priority Exchange is "N"

[#11]

Hi Brian,

You have certainly clarified some issues. Thank you.

My other major concern is email. I was one of the early Plusnet email users and I have dozens if not hundred of accounts with utilities, banks, medical providers, investments etc. Plus other family members have their own PN email accounts

It is crucial that I maintain these . Can you clarify the situation please?

[#12]

@Clangrant 

This means you still have options. As already stated you can re-new "as is" with your phone which buys time to research your options re VOIP.

Do you know how long your current contract has left? If it's a while then you need to nothing now while you dig into your options for the future.

Brian

[#13]

My other major concern is email

@Clangrant then Id suggest renewing as is for the time being. If you were to transfer to another ISP. at the moment you'd lose your Plusnet email.

Plusnet are in the process of transferring the email service to Greenby over the next few months. Once that's completed, then you would be able to transfer the broadband without losing email ( although it would cost around £15/yr to retain it )

[#14]

My current contract expires on 21st Sep 2025

[#15]

@Clangrant 

Note that much time to consider things before the end of your contract.

Your e-mail situation simplies things. At present, if you leave PN you immediately lose your PN email. However, as already stated, PN is moving their email service over to another company. Current PN customers will get two years free service and then it'll be £15 per annum. The move is happening in stages. If you wait until the migration happens for you then you can leave PN without losing your e-mail - you just pay £15 pa. While this may not be ideal it's better than PN simply shutting up shop and saying you have x number of months to change e-mail before we close.

Brian