No bundled calls if move to EE. New contract required if stay with PN

[#1]

Currently on FTTC Unlimited Fibre Extra inc. Line rental + free evening/weekend calls. 8 months remain of my contract.
I use the free bundled calls extensively.
(FWIW Full-fibre is not available here)

If I accept a move to EE, I will lose the bundled call benefits, but with an option of paying EE £13/month(!) for Unlimited UK calls. Not appealing!

I then asked (Customer Services); if I accept a switch to SOGEA, could they keep my contract-end date as it is now (01/2027).
A small sweetner to a bitter pill...
Was told, No, not possible under any circumstances.
Must be a new 24-month contract, or a shorter period at additional cost.

I do understand that landlines are going... but PN did sell me a contract. I can't walk away from it, but they can?

The options on offer are all unattractive, or am I missing something?

Mark

[#2]

This is what i dont understand either.

If PN can no longer provide ALL the services (bundled minutes, email/domain if applicable too) provided at contract acceptance why is there no option to be released from contract once that is no longer possible?

[#3]

I understood that the transfer to EE was on the same basis as the existing Plusnet contract.

If I accept a move to EE, I will lose the bundled call benefits, but with an option of paying EE £13/month(!) for Unlimited UK calls. Not appealing!

If EE dont have an eve & w/e plan then they should offer a better plan included at the existing cost.

Otherwise as @njay says , they cant complete the contract and therefore must offer an option to leave without ETC's

[#4]

Just to add. Given even the move to EE is underneath at openreach a close of existing PN service provider and move to EE as service provider on either FTTC (sogea) or FTTP and both providing landline number via EE digital voice, I am wondering how can EE offer contract for remaining duration but PlusNet cant?

[#5]

I am wondering how can EE offer contract for remaining duration but PlusNet cant? 

Either can offer whatever contract they wish. Whether they want to is up to them... 

[#6]

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@markv wrote:

... but PN did sell me a contract. I can't walk away from it, but they can?

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Not defending Plusnet, just playing devil’s advocate: Does the contract mention the free calls package etc.?

There are various legacy benefits not available to new customers that are not part of the basic contract.

[#7]

@Baldrick1 

Rather to my surprise, my "Contract Summary Unlimited Fibre Extra" says...
"Call Plan: Evenings & Weekends Included".
But I expect the corporate lawyers will have found a cop-out in the fine print.

Been with PN for ages as I had found therm to be a company that treats customers fairly and decently. Their handling of Switchover feels a bit grubby.

Their refusal to let me keep my current end-date if I switch to SOGEA is particularly dissapointing. I'm no longer sure they are a company I want to tie myself to for two more years.

I'm well aware of frying pans and fires!

[#8]

What do Plusnet intend for a customer that has FTTC + Landline and rejects the migration to EE ?

Logically one would expect Plusnet to wish to keep the customer so find a way to keep the FTTC internt operating as the telephone service ends in Jan 2027 and giving time for emails to migrate to Greenby.

What should be a series of technical adjustment to accommodate customers enabling a simple port to VoIP or cancel of a landline has become a golden opportunity for ISPs to sell a new 24 month contract.

All this nonsense about termination of the phone line cancel the FTTC as well is just a choice made by BT years ago, a choice that is now being played for the ISPs to string the customers along. 

[#9]

Openreach are massively ramping up what they charge an ISP for a PSTN line: "Openreach has announced significant price increases on its older copper-based landline products, with rental prices set to rise by 20% in April 2026, followed by a 40% increase in July and another 40% in October, effectively doubling the current rental price."

So PN are VERY reluctant to let a customer remain on FTTC + Landline for a day longer than they have to.

If they can get a new 24-month lock-in, that is indeed a nice bonus for them.

[#10]

So PlusNet sold 24 month defined pricing contracts to customers, without also getting a 24 month defined pricing contracts with their 'suppliier'.

How not to run a business.

All somewhat academic as it is just numbers running around inside BT PLC

[#11]

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@markv wrote:

Openreach are massively ramping up what they charge an ISP for a PSTN line

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Isn't that where a 24 month contract should benefit the customer..??  Where the costs to the ISP are significantly more than the £4 a year price increases?

My understanding/expectation is that PlusNet can transfer the contract to EE as long as you get the contracted services at the same price for the remainder of your contract period... or terminate your contract without any ETCs.  If EE provide the phone service via VOIP that's their business as long as the price and services stay the same for the remainder of your contract.

Or you should be able to stay with PlusNet and just not have a phone service at your choice.

I suppose they'll try and bounce you into a new (more expensive?) contract for a new 24month period - you would need to fight for your rights I guess.

[#12]

At present people are being given the choice of either

moving to EE for remainder of contract period with plusnet not imposing ETCs as this is a change of service provider.

Sticking with plusnet on new 24m ISP only contract.

There is no option being presented that says you can leave plusnet without ETCs and that doesnt seem right.

[#13]

@markv 

I think I might be writing a letter to Plusnet's directors at their registered office

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03279013/officers

explaining how you see the situation.

My point would be that Plusnet offered you a service (quote from the contract summary) for a minimum term of (until the 24 month term ends).

I would ask them how they intend to fulfil their offer and if they are unable to do so (due to an inability of their supplier to provide service) would they like to offer an earlier contract termination date?

See how that plays.

I don't see great pressure on you to do anything immediately.

It's slightly high risk but getting a third party VoIP service and recovering the number (assuming you choose a small and competent supplier) is possible.

[#14]

@markv  "If I accept a move to EE, I will lose the bundled call benefits, but with an option of paying EE £13/month(!) for Unlimited UK calls"

Were you actually told this in a phone call? All the info in the email & in the FAQ point to EE supplying the same service for the same price for the rest of the current contract period when you are transferred.

The price you pay

Pay the same as you do today with Plusnet. If you have a refer a friend discount please read our FAQs for more information.

"No line rental, and you won’t need to choose a call pack, you'll be automatically set-up with EE's Unlimited Minutes or Unlimited Minutes and International calls if you already have a Plusnet International call plan"

[#15]

By the way, I think the Vodafone broadband service has a phone add on.

From a quick look you can get an evening calls package from Vodafone (in addition to their broadband service) for a fairly reasonable cost.

See how you get on with "encouraging" Plusnet to deliver what they sold but at the end of the year you probably will have options with Vodafone and a few others.