Concurrent Contracts

[#1]

My current FTTC contract ends in late July.

Plusnet have already offered me an FTTP deal but it's not very competitive - so for the first time in many years I am considering switching provider.

I appreciate that switching to a new provider normally results in the termination of the existing service. However, is there a way to order an FTTP service from a new provider and not cancel the Plusnet FTTC service?

I am thinking it would be nice to have an overlap of a few weeks during which I can set up the new router, move over all the devices and then cancel Plusnet when I am happy that the new service is running smoothly. 

[#2]

@idxPN As the FTTC  and FTTP connections are both over different technology, and you are not planning on getting both from the same supplier, in theory it should be possible.

You just sign up with your chosen FTTP provider - do not mention that you already have a live  FTTC service - and they should treat this as a new install.

Note that doing it this way means you will have to manually cancel the PN contract.

[#3]

@idxPN 

I would like to say NO but I'm not entirely sure.

You could try setting up a completly new account with your chosen ISP while making it clear you want to keep your current service working.

Do you still have a phone service as that could complicate matters further?

Brian

[#4]

@idxPN The only thing to keep an eye on will be if both the current FTTC and new FTTP are both BT Openreach infrastructure. BT shouldn't cancel the FTTC but may ask you if the FTTP is an additional installation as their databases will show two connections at the same location.

(They certainly picked it up when I had a SOGEA line installed alongside my existing POTS phone line, though there were plenty of spare pairs in all the cable routes to make it easy)

[#5]

Good point, @HPsauce - I forgot OR get twitchy about having two services to the same property. 

[#6]

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Do you still have a phone service as that could complicate matters further?

I do have an analogue phone service but I will probably migrate that to a separate VOIP provider when the Plusnet service ends.

[#7]

I assume the uncompetitive Plusnet offer was obtained by phoning up rather than just condidering the Member Centre offer.

While it's not like the days of copper phone line delivered services, some improvement can be achieved by phoning Plusnet up and saying you are leaving.

If the better option is an "Alt Net" then there won't be many complications with having a second service installed.

With an Openreach service it may be more difficult.

[#8]

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@markhawkin wrote:

I assume the uncompetitive Plusnet offer was obtained by phoning up rather than just considering the Member Centre offer.

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I did phone up but the offer was exactly the same. I was told that the offers are always changing so try again later. I may do that.

[#9]

@idxPN, if you do get the FTTP service installed alongside your existing copper connection by another provider, when you are ready to turn off the copper service just port your number to a VOIP provider, that will cease you copper line and you will have minimum downtime of your number.