Is there a low usage or "value" plan I can switch to?

[#1]

Hi,

I'm looking at getting FTTP installed via a different provider - is there any way I can downgrade my existing PlusNet FTTC plan to a low usage/value plan? I'm currently paying circa £35/month, I've been a customer for 20+ years, but I'd like to use PlusNet as a backup line if I switch to FTTP, so don't need a full bells and whistles, just need it there in case, and then it would probably only be for a short period during any outages.

I can't justify paying £35/month on top of the FTTP subscription unless I can downgrade it. So would rather see if I can pay less per month for it rather than cancel it outright.

Cheers,

Fronty

[#2]

Moderator's note:
Thread moved from Broadband to My Account/Billing

[#3]

@fronty 

Not as such. Have you a phone line? You'll lose it if you change product / service. A change to internet only might be cheaper.

I'm assuming the FTTP is supplied by an Alternative supplier rather than OpenReach.

Brian

[#4]

@fronty  the most cost effective internet connection backup would be to tether a data connection to a 4G/5G mobile phone, or 4G/5G router, and then only pay any additional PAYG mobile data charges when the mobile connection is actually being used during any (but unlikely) FTTP downtime.

.

[#5]

Actually that's a good idea, I do have an old 4G router/hub thing somewhere so I could connect that up and put my phone SIM in if things get really bad. I also have an old 4G USB dongle, I might even be able to use that as I have a Draytek Vigor which supports USB connected WAN devices. This means I won't actually need PlusNet any longer. Thanks, I hadn't thought of that.

https://www.draytek.com/support/knowledge-base/5693

[#6]

I used to take a DrayTek router and a "Three" 3G PAYG USB dongle on family holidays, with the same WiFi SSID as used at home, so wherever we were nobody needed to change their device wireless settings.  In some remote areas I had to hang the USB dongle out of the window or dangling from a tree branch via a 10m USB extension cable to get a 3G signal.

.

[#7]

@fronty 

If you leave PN you'll lose your landline (which is going this year anyway). If the number matters, you can port it out within 30 days of your PN service ending.

You'll also lose PN email and any other add ons you may have.

Finally if you leave PN before the end of your contract you'll pay early termination charges.

Brian

[#8]

Thanks but I'm not on any of the current contracts so can terminate whenever, my phone line is still with BT so no risk there, and I'm going to migrate my mailboxes and move my domain to mythic beasts, I've already requested the tag to be changed.

[#9]

---

@fronty wrote:

... my phone line is still with BT so no risk there

No risk ? - you have DOUBLE the risk !  (compared to having phone and broadband from the same supplier)

If Plusnet make ANY alterations to your FTTC broadband then your BT landline number will disappear.

When BT unilaterally convert your landline phone only account to "Digital Voice" then your Plusnet broadband will disappear.

BT are very likely going to convert your landline to "Digital Voice" before autumn 2025 !

This time last week, my (non BT group) ISP emailed me notice to say that my line will lose the phone number in 14 days !

@fronty  are you wanting to keep your landline phone number ?

.

[#10]

Hmm, not sure all the comments above are correct. I had a phone with BT and broadband with Plusnet and in the end cancelled the Plusnet contract (I took out a FTTC contract on a separate NEW line first). My BT phone line stayed working, why wouldn't it?

Cancelling a BT phone line on the other hand will terminate an associated/dependant ADSL or FTTC (NOT SOGEA) broadband connection whoever that is contracted with.

[#11]

@fronty 

In one respect you are in never never land having a BT phone line and PN for your internet (as I indeed had). So few people are in this situation nowadays we struggle to offer advice and how to change things.

From memory (back in late 2017 / early 2018) when I got FTTP installed it didn't affect my landline. I had to phone BT and get it cancelled as I didn't need it.

As stated, cancelling your phone line would close your PN account as FTTC needs an associated line. However, cancelling PN internet shouldn't have any affect on the phone service - I say shouldn't because you just never know nowadays.

You could try phoning  PlusNet Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632 and asking for clarification.

Brian

[#12]

Fortunately what  @fronty  is trying to do is quite simple -

1. Get your Altnet ISP to install FTTP and make sure it is up and running.
2. Choose a VoIP supplier (such as A&A)  and open a VoIP account and get your VoIP hardware installed.
3. Migrate your BT landline phone number to the chosen VoIP supplier.
4. The completed VoIP migration will automatically close both the BT phone account, and Plusnet broadband account.
5. Setup the 4G (or other) data backup (the original point of this topic)
6. Apply on the Openreach website to have your redundant copper wires removed (for free)

Job done.