Help please - Cloud Gateway Ultra & Plusnet Hub 2

[#1]

OK - sorry, long day at work.

https://www.waveform.com/tools/bufferbloat?test-id=b92b7582-4403-48c9-9822-c5378b48b101

latest bufferbloat using the master socket plug direct and there are no additional wires in the socket.

I've directed the CGU to update overnight.

[#2]

Looking at the quality monitor last night there was a big spike which I think was the CGU updating.  We also got a letter yesterday from fibrenova who are the first altnet provider to set up in our area. They've said they will be installing in the next week or 2 and and so really good packages on offer. I might simply switch to them though not sure what the process for leaving while still in contract with plusnet is going to be.

Still at 7Mbps upload despite being on the master socket - this is what we have always had TBH - I have complained a couple of times and then Openreach come out, drain water from the cable junction on 'our' pole - say they will come an do a proper fix in the future and never do! To be fair to Plusnet - the 7mb upload speed is more than they predict we ought to have (they say 5-6). If they were able to offer FTTC I'd stay as the experience with them has been good.

[#3]

And I have now gone into the CGU settings, enabled Smart Queues and set the downrate to 45Mbps and the Uprate to 6 Mbps.

I used this to guide me - https://www.unihosted.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-setting-up-unifi-smart-queues

[#4]

@aaarrrrggggghhh 

As far as Fibrenova are concerned, I would say an Altnet building would be a reason to not recontract but wait until their service is really available before deciding.

You may find Openreach follow fairly closely behind, not directly because the Altnet has built, more because if you were economic for the Altnet to build it will also be economic for Openreach to do so.

If you don't complete the Plusnet minimum term there is a one off charge which is essentially what you would have paid for the rest of the contract less a bit. Some networks will pay these charges to get you as a customer.

[#5]

I'll call Fibrenova today to chat. We have 20 months still to go on our current contract with Plusnet but have been with them for 12 years or so on roll over contracts.

Enabling Smart Queues has really improved bufferbloat - https://www.waveform.com/tools/bufferbloat?test-id=055da000-f10f-48e4-8afd-dbab0bc35fb9

Maybe this will sort the immediate term issues out.... lets see

[#6]

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@aaarrrrggggghhh wrote:

I'll call Fibrenova today to chat. We have 20 months still to go on our current contract with Plusnet but have been with them for 12 years or so on roll over contracts.

.

@aaarrrrggggghhh 

I looked up whether Fibrenova will pay off your existing Plusnet contract ETCs, this is the answer I got -

Yes, Fibre Nova (Fibrenova) offers Contract Buyout Options to help cover early termination/leaving charges from a previous ISP.

Their website explicitly promotes this:

• Under key features: “Contract Buyout Options.”
• A dedicated section states: “Stuck in a contract with another provider? Switching shouldn’t cost you a penny just because your old provider won’t let go. Contact a member of our team to discuss our Contract Buyout Options, so you can leave them behind and join us today, not in six months’ time.”

On at least some location pages (e.g. Ashley), they show promotional messaging of “GET UP TO £300 TOWARDS YOUR EXISTING CONTRACT BUYOUT!”

Key points

• It is not a fully automatic, publicly detailed scheme with fixed terms published online (unlike some larger providers or altnets that list exact caps, claim windows, and T&Cs). Instead, they invite you to contact their team to discuss the options for your situation.
• This is similar to how several other UK altnets (e.g. BeFibre, Fibrus, LightSpeed, YouFibre, Hyperoptic, etc.) handle switching support — they contribute toward early exit fees (often as bill credit after you provide proof of the paid final bill from your old provider), subject to caps, package chosen, and conditions.
• You still normally pay the exit fee to your current ISP first, then claim the contribution from Fibre Nova.
• They also handle the switching process (One Touch Switch coordination) so you don’t have to cancel the old service yourself.

For the exact amount available, eligibility, claim process, and any small print that applies to you, contact Fibre Nova directly (via their website contact form, [email protected], or 0333 880 4020). Offers can change and are often assessed case-by-case.

From The Fibrenova website -

[#7]

@aaarrrrggggghhh 

One other thing I might think about.

Your Cloud Gateway Ultra looks like it can be configured as dual WAN.

Rather than paying a large one off cost to Plusnet I might keep both connections.

During build (particularly) Altnets can be a bit unreliable so you might be glad you kept the second connection.

Perhaps angle for a discount off the offered price rather than buying out your Plusnet contract.

It's all a bit academic until the Altnet can offer service anyway.

[#8]

Advice taken!! I spoke with fibrenova today and agreed a deal that allows me to run their service when they install (they say in 12 weeks) alongside plusnet for a bit.