Switching to EE

[#1]

Hello,

A couple of questions occur that relate to EE's takeover of Plusnet.. First, will the existing Plusnet router still support broadband when the Digital Changeover happens?

Second, we still use our landline for telephony but I see that it is still possible for existing DEC handset to work if you use an EE router... but to get one, you have change over to EE (isn't that happening anyway??) and that means my contract with Plusnet is cancelled.  What happens to my Plusnet email address in that event?  Will that no longer be available?

I hope it will be - it will be a major pain if that too, is "cancelled" 🙂

Thank you 

Steve

[#2]

@sstoddart What gives you the idea that EE are 'taking over' Plusnet?

[#3 · Accepted solution]

@sstoddart 

You do NOT have to move to EE if you do not want to. How long have you got left on your contract?

However, you do have choices to make regarding your landline. You either move to an ISP who does both (like EE) or stay with PN and port your phone number to an independant VOIP provider.

If you leave PN before your email account is migrated to Greenby you lose the address. If it's afterwards then you can do what you like with internet without losing the PN address.

Brian

[#4]

Hello John,

To answer your question, an email from Plusnet suggested it - if not directly saying as much 🙂   A wee while later, I recalled that BT own both EE and Plusnet and if I understand the machinations of big business even remotely, I read somewhere that BT are dissolving Plusnet into EE... 

Could be wrong of course...

Steve 

[#5]

Suppose it depends on how you read the email, but  I certainly haven't seen anything to suggest it is likely - yet.

[#6]

Greetings Brian 🙂

Thank you for your reply...

I have about 14 months left on the Plusnet contract.. as for VOIP, I had not considered that option though I should have.  A brief look online and there are plenty of choices so I am grateful to you for reminding me of the option.

As to the email address, it looks as though I can keep the email address as long as I don't do anything rash like cancel the Plusnet contract 🙂 

So all looks OK... thank you again!

Steve 

[#7]

Hello John,

I have just 'googled' this: "has EE bought out plusnet"

makes for an interesting read...

Cheers

Steve

[#8]

@sstoddart Not that it matters, but reading AI generated content has a disturbing habit of misleading. 

[#9]

@sstoddart 

You are going to have to do something before the end of your contract. You should figure out now what you want to do so when PN say you phone line is being cancelled you're ready.

If staying with PN you'll need to start a new contract and they move you onto a SOGEA connection - basically internet without the phone. You then have 30 days to port your number to a VOIP provider.

As you say, there are multiple choices for VOIP - it depends on your phone usage. If you don't make many outgoing calls then A&A is a good option. Cheap with a good reputation.

https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/

There would be a few days downtime with the phone. The port can't be initiated until you're on SOGEA.

The easiest option is to go for an ISP who does both - have a look at Zen Internet. However, ETC's may be payable if you move to anyone other that EE.

Brian

[#10]

Hello John,

True enough.... I don't take anything AI generated as Gospel... but looking further into it, the overall arrangement of BT, EE and Plusnet does appear to be as suggested..

Cheers

Steve

[#11]

Greetings Brian,

Thank you for the heads up  - and your mention of VOIP has already kicked off the business of looking into providers... I found A&A and it would our needs well -even better, you mentioned it in a favourable light 🙂

The "easiest option" is worth a gander... though it would mean (presumably) losing the PN email address...

Cheers

Steve 

[#12]

@sstoddart 

I don't have VOIP (I use a mobile) but A&A have received good reviews on here in the past.

Although you have a one off exercise in getting phones to work with VOIP (you may well need an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter)) it then means you have independance for your internet and phone needs and can go with any provider who meets your needs for each service.

Going with a provider who offers both is easiest as they provide the equipment required (the Zen router has a built in ATA) and probably less down time on the phone it ties you to one provider for both.

Remember whatever you do VOIP doesn't wotk in a power cut.

If you hold off doing anything until PN tell you you phone service is ending then your email may well have been migrated to Greenby which end the tie to your PN account. I got notification my email is to be migrated this month.

Brian

[#13]

Plus for A&A is that you don't need any hardware to have a landline number.

You can have an app on your mobile phone which you can answer the calls. Or just have A&A voicemail answer it and get an email with the message attached.