We won’t be beat on price

[#1]

Here you go:
From SanKnows website, LCEAR data:

showing LLU + BT both been enabled, but with the incorrect Market classification.  After emailing Neil at Samknows.com, the last time he received an OFCOM exchange market category update was back in 2008.  Talk Talk is enabled in my exchange as when I enter my details into their website, they tell me I could get upto 18mb downloads
From the PN website, also showing the incorrect OFCOM Market classification:

PN define OFCOM exchange market information as per this page
There's 2 or 3 different providers of broadband (including BT) in my exchange, therefore, the OFCOM market classification data PN have for my exchange is incorrect as it should be market 2 and not market 1.  It also begs the question how many other market classifications for exchanges PN have, are also incorrect.

[#2]

That is because OFCOM haven't upgraded it from Market 1 and hence Plusnet information is correct
You really are missing the point - OFCOM set the exchange classification not Plusnet or indeed any other ISP and there is nothing Plusnet can do about it

[#3]

I am not missing any point what so ever.  The point I'm making is the PN are not using up-to-date information for their cost calculations, therefore they are over-charing me (and probably many other users) simply because other users take what PN say as been correct.
I've proved that the information PN hold for my exchange is NOT CORRECT and is out of date.
Irrespective of who has or hasn't updated their information, the market classification of my exchange PN are using IS INCORRECT, plain and simple so how on earth can PN base their cost calculations on information which is out of date not not accurate?

[#4]

I presume you have already taken the matter up with OFCOM who actually set the classification?
What did they have to say?

[#5]

Quote from: mitchell20

Irrespective of who has or hasn't updated their information, the market classification of my exchange PN are using IS INCORRECT, plain and simple so how on earth can PN base their cost calculations on information which is out of date not not accurate?

Your exchange is whichever market OFCOM say it is; the whole system of market classifications is entirely administered by OFCOM, and is an arbitrary designation imposed by them. Thus, if OFCOM say an exchange is market 1, then it's market 1 and there's nothing you or anyone else can do about it until OFCOM change their minds. The market designation of each exchange – the actual designation, not simply what it ‘should’ be designated as – is then what's used to determine the wholesale cost of broadband at that exchange. So even if an exchange appears to fulfil the criteria for (e.g.) market 3, if OFCOM have designated it as market 1 then it will be priced as though it were market 1 and there is, again, nothing anyone can do about it.
So if Plusnet were to offer lower prices based on market 2/3, whilst the exchange was designated as being in market 1, they would still have to pay the high market 1 wholesale cost and would probably therefore lose money.
Having said all that, Plusnet don't actually have lower prices specifically for market 2 exchanges anyway, so this whole conversation has been moot! There're only two market-based prices in operation with Plusnet: markets 1+2, and market 3 – see this page for more information. The slightly-lower-than-market-1 price, which I think is being confused with a special market 2 price, is actually the ‘price beat’ price, and is available on any exchange irrespective of market but depending on the other other ISPs in operation at that exchange.

[#6]

as BE3G says...
Only Market 3 exchanges get a wholesale discount from BT wholesale, so they are the only exchanges that PN can pass the saving on to the end user (because these are the only ones that are cheaper for Plusnet). Which exchanges get that wholesale discount is set by OFCOM due to keeping competition alive in busy exchanges whilst allowing new companies a chance to compete against BT in the smaller exchanges to encourage investment, so BT's hands are tied in the matter. Therefore PNs hands are tied too by their supplier.
So your Market 1 (or possibly soon to be Market 2) would not get an wholesale discount that PN can pass on to you. End of that story.
This new offer from PN is completely different, and is an attempt to compete in both Market 1 and 2 exchanges that have LLU operators with cheaper prices than PN's normal prices. Rather than lose out because BT can't compete, PN have reduced their profit margins in those exchanges to stay competitive. This is irrespective of the market categorisation and is based upon if there is a supplier offering a cheaper deal than PN, then Plusnet will match or beat the offer.

So, to sum up, until someone changes the category, your exchange is Market 1. Full stop.
You can complain to OFCOM and ask them to recategorise it, but even if it become Market 2, this would give you no advantages anyway!
Independently of this, you can (on Market1 or Market2) look to see if Plusnet will offer a slightly cheaper price in your exchange based upon the prices offered by the competition in your exchange, but this would be the same whether OFCOM say you are in Market 1 or Market 2, since this offer is discretionary by PN from their own coffers rather than OFCOM regulated.
Hope this helps you.
Mike

[#7]

Quote from: Strat

I presume you have already taken the matter up with OFCOM who actually set the classification? What did they have to say?

I have and I'm waiting for a call back on Monday about it.

[#8]

Quote from: Be3G

Having said all that, Plusnet don't actually have lower prices specifically for market 2 exchanges anyway,

According to Adam's first post in this thread as the thinkbroadband article, they are now:

Quote from: _Adam_Walker_

Reduced pricing is now available to market 1 and 2 customers from today and we have launched our new price-beating pledge.

[#9]

mitchell20, have you actually done a price comparison on your postcode? I'm not logged into the VPN at the moment, so can't check for you, but if you have certain LLU presence at your exchange you would qualify for the discount pricing.

[#10]

Yes I have, but as the LLU in my exchange is Talk Talk,  you are avoiding comparing them.
Not including line rental Talk Talk would actually be cheaper and a great deal faster, although I wouldn't touch Talk Talk with a barge pole!!!
Ticket has already been returned with a NO as the answer.

[#11]

Talk Talk don't do standalone broadband, so unless I'm missing something we are the cheapest provider in your exchange?

[#12]

Quote from: ITWorks

I have already found cheaper ( the Plusnet comparison is not like for like) So saying "you want find a lower price for stand alone broadband "  is wrong as i have in my area market 1 Plusnet Value price for 12 month is £ 161.38 Madasafish Max price for 12 month is 9.99 * 6 plus 14.99 * 6 = £ 149.88 Making Madasafish £ 11.50 cheaper over the 12 month term Regards Mike

,
Whilst PN have been happy to respond to other queries in the thread, my post from, last Thursday has still not had a response, i wounder why.
For PN to claim that their Value package is the cheapest Standalone product in the UK ( 12 months inc connection cost , Market 1) is completely wrong and misleading.
PN Value  total cost 161.38
Madasafish Max total cost 149.88
Total saving over 12 month  £11.50
As PN own the Madasafish brand surely they knew before this launch that PN Value is not the cheapest for market 1 area over 12 month including all cost.
Good honest broadband - not at the moment regarding the above.
Whilst i am a great fan of Madasfish / Plusnet and have connected many customers with them over the last 5 yrs ( continue to do so)
I would not expect this type of marketing from an honest and open company such as PN
Can someone from PN please respond to the above - thank you
Regards
Mike

[#13]

Actually, I think you have your figures wrong.
Plus.net on a market 1 exchange for 12 months costs £136.38
Madasafish for 12 months costs £149.88
Madasafish is min 12 month, and includes connection and router
Plusnet gives you free connection and router if you stay for 12 months too.
Thus Plusnet is the cheaper
ah, they've changed the activation fee terms

[#14]

My figures are correct
The £161.38 include the PN connection fee of £ 25.00 which is shown in the comparison table .
Regards
Mike

[#15]

Sorry we've not replied to your point yet, it's been flagged to our marketing team and we'll let you know the outcome.