SoGEA or Full Fibre?

[#1]

So my interpretation in simple words:

Openreach have served notice to Plusnet that the PSTN will be switched off at the end of 2025. BUT, if Plusnet has registered vulnerable customers who have inadequate back up safeguards in the event of a powercut, then Plusnet can request a 3 monthly stay of execution for such customers for 3 months, renewable at 3 monthly intervals up until January 2027.

Yes/No/Not Sure?

[#2]

Totally confused, but as I have given my answer to @plusmouse , and to avoid confusing them any more, I'm leaving this topic.

[#3]

It still sounds a bit "Will it, won`t it" with the switch off dates but going by what you guys have reported and from what you have read so far, the 2025 date given is likely to be the cut-off for most people unless given that exceptional circumstance extension. 

I`ve checked my PN account page and here are the details I can see edited to explain what`s on offer to me:

Current package 38/40Mb Unlimited BB & Phoneline = £28.05p a month (ends middle of October 2024)

* `Renewal Offer` (the same as above) but = £27.99p a month (so 6p cheaper! 🙄....this could change soon though as some offers disappear and a new one emerges. I also usually receive an email offer before my contract expires so I wait for that to come through, but chances are it won`t be a FF offer. 

Below these on my accounts page, it states this:

In the FAQ section, it says the following about FULL FIBRE: "It`s so new it`s not available everywhere just yet, but the great news is you`re one of our lucky customers who can upgrade to FF right now".

So that sounds to me as if FF is open to me without looking? The cheapest available is 74Mb FF for £26.99p a month. So cheaper than both the above. However, there will be the annual % increases to factor in. I`m not sure why the price for BB only still reflects the pricing where the phone line is still there when it`s not? Or is it due to the Fibre speeds being faster so the pricing reflects that? 🤔 

Thanks for your thoughts on this everyone, it`s now a choice of either SoGEA FTTC = No landline or, FF = No landline, or switching to BT VOICE, which is an option, but not keen. I prefer PN. I`ve also spoken to my Mother about her having a basic mobile and she`s keen to do that, so that`s the route I`ll probably take as it means Mum can have her own mobile while I can concentrate on the BB on it`s own without worrying about a landline all the time. 

@jab1 : NO worries, I appreciate our input. 

[#4]

@plusmouse As I said previously, moving to Full Fibre now is the best option, and as your mum is happy to dispense with the landline and move to a mobile, I see no reason why you can't move now. Despite the oft-repeated 'but what happens in a power cut?' comment, to be honest, how many of those do the vast majority suffer over a length of time which is likely to cause a significant issue?

[#5]

Very true jab1. And having no landline means any `power outages` would only affect the broadband as the router is plugged into a power source. I can live with that. Or does having FULL FIBRE mean an electrical outage with the power wouldn`t affect that? Silly question but I don`t know the answer! 

But having the mobiles means a power outage won`t prevent us being left without a lifeline which is the main thing. 

[#6]

You would have no internet connection in the event of a power cut - your ONT, router and computer need electrical power to function.

[#7]

@plusmouse 

Another way of checking is to look at the following.

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

You're looking for WBC FTTP in the left hand column and Available to the right.

If FTTP is available there will also be a narrative below the results window which should state if install problems are expected or not.

Brian

[#8]

@bmc Post #18 seems - to me - to clearly indicate that the OP can get Full Fibre.

[#9]

@bmc : I`ve just checked that site using my Home phone number and it says the following:

WBC FTTP downstream (Mbps) 

up to 1000

Upstream 

Up to 220

Downstream Range

--

FTTP Install

1 Stage

Availability Date

Available

As a Fibre priority exchange, FTTP has a priority over other products if available at this address. 👍 Further down it states the following. I`ve pasted in the text below from the link:

*Quote: This site is in an FTTP priority area where FTTP is available but exceptionally SOGEA will also show as available to order but only at Non-Standard Premises (NSP) such as Hot site, Uninhabitable and Temporary locations. Migrations of WLR Solus (voice-only lines) is also allowed but only for SOGEA 0.5Mbps bandwidths. SOGEA 40/10 bandwidths order is also allowed.

Actual speeds experienced by end users and quoted by CPs will be lower due to a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.

Although VDSL FTTC and SOGEA is showing as currently not available on this cabinet, it may still be possible to place an order for VDSL (FTTC/SOGEA) speed profile of 40/10. Orders will be validated on an individual basis.

If you decide to place an order for a WBC fibre product, an appointment may be required for an engineer to visit the end user's premises to supply the service

In order to be eligible for handback, downstream speed should be less than Downstream Handback Threshold values.

ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL availability: If shown at FTTP or SOGEA premises,ADSL, ADSL2+ and SOADSL are not available to order due to WLR Withdrawal stop sell rules. CPs should order FTTP or SOGEA. Copper products are only available by exception.

Thank you for your interest

So highlighted in red above seems to be saying that I may not have the option to choose SoGEA as it`s validated on an individual basis? Is this because they have prioritized FTTP? 🤔 

@jab1 : Yes, it does seem to be available to me jab1. Although the slight downside (if you can call it that) is they seem to be saying they will only allow SoGEA to certain customers, so if I`m not one of them, it looks as if FTTP is going to be the only option. 

[#10]

@plusmouse You on a Fibre Priority exchange, so your only option is Full Fibre, and as I have stressed before, that is the way to go, anyway.

[#11]

I`m not sure jab1. Just tried to check again and the site is saying `try again later`. So I will. And will take another look and report back.

[#12]

@jab1 

It's highlighted in BOLD that it's a Fibre Priority Exchange

@plusmouse 

Thanks for the information. I forgot to ask for a screen image of the narrative.

As you state, SOGEA may not be available to you. You'll only find out if you phone up and ask. As per your other thread, I'd get a phone sorted for your mother first and then decide on what to do.

Brian

[#13]

@plusmouse Cheers.

@bmc I edited after seeing that.

[#14]

@plusmouse 

So the bottom line is that if you ring Plusnet they will  probably still sell you a new contract exactly the same as you have now, I.e. FTTC broadband and phone. If you want to make any changes, such as the package speed,you have no choice but to move to Full Fibre.

I guess that it’s a case of whether you want the disruption of having Full Fibre installed this year or next.

[#15]

Just curious @Baldrick1 - what 'disruption'?