When Plusnet Contract ends/Broadband and Plusnet landline

[#1]

I have not posted for a long time and I am not sure where the best place for this post is - or if the Subject is accurate enough.  I apologize if this is the wrong place.

My fixed term Plusnet Contract does not end until February 2024 but I'm feeling a bit panicky about possible changes and the possible increase in monthly cost.

I pay about £18 just now for Unlimited Broadband and Plusnet (BT) landline with evening and weekend calls included.  I have heard that someone (something to do with eventually not having a Plusnet Landline in future) is having to pay an additional £19 per month when their contract ends.

I have a new Hub Two Router (Plusnet Technical help was excellent in helping me through the upheaval (upheaval for me!) changing from my old Router to the new one Plusnet sent me) and I don't know enough about it but wonder if, when telephone changes are implemented, if my Hub Two has a space to plug my landline into.  Also can I keep my present landline telephone number.  I don't really understand the different "telephone" terms but I understand that we have to move with the times and landlines, as they are just now, are changing.

I am a longstanding (satisfied) Plusnet customer and would like to stay with them - I'm just not sure about the telephone changes coming in and if the increase cost is really likely to be as much as £19 per month more than the present contract price.  I'm afraid such a huge increase would (= nearly 100%) be too much for me.

If anyone can provide any information or insight I'll really appreciate it.  I have my present contract until February 2024 but would like to be able to understand things well in advance of this.  I admit I am a bit panicky about the changes and the increased cost - as well as the upheaval.

I've always found Plusnet customer service to be really good.

[#2]

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Broadband to My Account / Billing

[#3]

@Crimson 

Can't help with potential costs but this is some general information.

One way or another you will lose your PN phone line by the end of 2005. The PTSN is being shut down. To have a phone line you need VOIP which PN do not offer. To stay with PN internet you'll be moved on a product called SOGEA (internet without a phone). The telephone port on the Hub2 is inactive.

For a phone service and to keep your number you'll need to set up a VOIP account with a provider. There are many to choose from but A&A seen to offer a good deal.

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

Have a good read of their Help pages to get some understanding of VOIP and what it entails. Then come back with any questions you may have.

Brian

[#4]

Thank you very much for that helpful information.,bmc.  It is not what I hoped for - I see now that I'll have to have two separate providers:  One for Broadband and a separate (non Plusnet) one for my landline.

I'll read the link you helpfully gave and hope, somehow, I can keep my present landline telephone number.

Many thanks again for replying.

[#5]

@Crimson 

If you want to keep the same provider for both you can move to an ISP which does both. You would however lose PN email and any referrels you may have.

PN will switch you to BT with no hassle.

Brian

PS is FTTP on the horizon at your location.

[#6]

Sorry (had some health problems) for the delay in replying, Brian.  Ultra Fast Full Fibre Broadband is planned between now and Decemner 2026 and Super Fast Broadband is available now.  I don't  need high speeds but I know I have to move with the times.

I'm trying to understand to the best of my ability and, like most of us just now, try to keep costs as close as manageable as possible.  I still have until February to make arrangements.  Plusnet is great for people like me who aren't any good with technology.

Just wondering - I have a mobile minimal 1 GB package with EE for £8 a month and I have neverused any of the 1 GB - I don't  even know how to switch it on but, if ever an emergency, I would have to use it.

I was really pleased/encouraged when there was a power cut in my area (I am on The Priority  Services Register) and I was telephoned on my mobile 'phone (good increased volume on the aid) for hard of hearing, to ask if I was O.K. and letting me know when power was likely to be restored.

If 'it' would work, I would still only have contracts with two providerss then - Plusnet  and EE.  Mobile reception is quite good.

Beariig in mind my lack of skill - would my  smart TV and Humax box, or anything else, be affected if I stayed (as I want to) with Plusnet and increase my EE package to use for all my telephone calls with no landline?

Any answers will be really appreciated, thank you.

[#7]

@Crimson 

If you consider your mobile phone coverage to be acceptable then using mobile rather than a landline is an option. This would (probably - see below) cost you your landline number. Do significant numbers use it and / or are any alarms linked to it? Is losing it a price worth paying?

The one major disadvantage of VOIP (apart from porting your number and setting up your phone for VOIP use) is it doesn't work in a power cut - unlike the PSTN. You can get battery backup to keep your router running but you might also need a unit for your phone (and the FTTP wall unit (ONT) if or when FTTP comes). The real problem is in an extended power cut both the FTTC cabinet and local phone mast can run out of back up power (unless the mast is designated for emergency use in which case it'll have better fall back options). In one respect FTTP is better as the fibre cable runs all the way back to a major Exchange which will either have no power cut at the same time as you or will have significant back up options.

I don't know if EE support this but some providers allow WiFi calling so when you're at home you don't need to use any call plan units.

I said you would probably lose your land line number but there is a possible / potential way to overcome this. Actually I can think of two. One is to simply port your number to a VOIP provider and simply use it to receive calls. You pay the monthly fee and incurr any set up costs. Any calls received are answered using your mobile and if the person / company calling matters then you tell them your mobile number. Over time the number of calls will reduce to a point where you could potentially give up the number and account.

The second way might allow you to avoid any set up costs but would incur charges for each call received. I'm thinking about call diversion where you divert all incoming calls to your mobile. I have no idea if this works or the costs (perhaps others could step in if they have experience of this). I suspect not all VOIP providers all this but A&A appear to.

https://support.aa.net.uk/VoIP_How_to:_Redirect_to_another_number

Finally, if you stay with PN nothing will change with regard to the equipment currently connected to your router.

Hope this helps.

Brian

[#8]

"I don't know if EE support this but some providers allow WiFi calling so when you're at home you don't need to use any call plan units."

Sorry, that is not how WiFi calling works. It just allows you to have service when there is no mobile signal. And yes EE do have it, provided you have a suitable phone and are connected to a WiFi network.

You may be getting confused with Facetime/Messenger or other similar programs that use data - via mobile or WiFi.

[#9]

The second way might allow you to avoid any set up costs but would incur charges for each call received. I'm thinking about call diversion where you divert all incoming calls to your mobile. I have no idea if this works or the costs (perhaps others could step in if they have experience of this). I suspect not all VOIP providers all this but A&A appear to.

diverting an incoming voip call to a mobile will incur the standard voip to mobile call costs ( 4p/min for A & A )

A cheaper solution would be to use a voip app on the phone ( such as zoiper ) and configure it to register on your voip account. Incoming call would then be free ( on wifi anyway! )

[#10]

@Mustrum 

I stand corrected.

Brian

[#11]

@MisterW 

I have no experience of VOIP so am happy to hear alternatives - as I suspect the OP will be.

Brian

[#12]

A big thank you "very much" to bmc Brian, Mustrum and MisterW.  The replies are hugely helpful and I am going to take time to go over them and ensure that I've taken everything in.

I feel much more informed now and less panicked about what will happen in February.  I have learned so much and I appreciate the time and effort you have all given to help me out.

Best wishes from Crimson

[#13]

Despite my best efforts I cannot now find how to start a new topic.  I received an email from Plusnet about a change in my Broadband Package name.  I telephoned and received very helpful information from Adeel.  When I tried to reply to the question Adeel opened I could not find a way to add information and thank him - he was very helpful.

I must have opened a new topic in the Community before but, this time, I cannot find how to do it.

[#14]

@Crimson There is is a big pink 'Start New Topic'  button at the top of each board - click it.

[#15]

@Crimson 

You need to be logged into your PN account when you look at the open question. There should be buttons somewhere to either add a comment or close the question.

Brian