Renew with PlusNet Unlimited Fibre Extra or move to...?

fifthofwhisky

I'm nearing the end of my contract with PN and was offered £26.95 to continue with unlimited fibre extra with line rental included on an 18-month contract. Evening and weekend calls included but not really using that. PN estimate download at 38-40Mbps and upload at 8-10Mbps though I get 50Mbps download (sometimes drops to 30+Mbps) and 13Mbps upload (sometimes drops to 8Mbps). The service itself has been OK and I've had no reason to contact support, though recently I've had to restart the router several times (old router, maybe needs an upgrade).

I was previously with BT (a very good deal at the time) and got slightly higher speeds (cannot recall the package) somewhere between what is now Fibre 1 and Fibre 2. I wondering if I might as well go for FTTP and have been looking at BT Ultrafast which has a cashback offer on Quidco. Not clear if Utrafast refers to any of Full Fibre 100, 300, 900 and if all full-fibre products are FTTP?

One consideration is that I like to use my own router so I can run custom firmware, etc. Another is that terrestrial access for FTTP might be difficult (concrete driveway - I can't see anyone digging that up) with some limited alternative routes to the premises, which could mean the possibility of stringing a fibre/cable from a telegraph pole. VM did dig at the roadside a couple of years back so that could be another option (not sure how they would route the fibre). No interest in TV packages, etc. Really looking for a good fast and reliable service for the next 18-24 months and willing to pay a bit more if necessary. PN is not a bad deal, but is something like BT Full Fibre 100 at £39.99/month with cashback going to be much better (it should effectively double the speeds at less than double the cost)?

JJ_Egan

You have FTTP in your street??

OpenReach  optical fibre to the pole then optical cable into the house .

100 Plus are FTTP optical cable exchange to home .

littleboo

Do you have Openreach FTTP or a Virgin service available at your address?

fifthofwhisky

The broadband checker says I can get FTTP. There is a VM access port by the roadside. Someone in the neighbourhood just had FTTP installed via a cable from a telegraph pole.

fifthofwhisky

About to pull the trigger on BT or VM FTTP. The last time I was with BT there were several price hikes and I had the option to leave. How have things worked out for users of BT or VM during the contract with regard to price changes? 

Edit. It looks like VM is ahead on speeds and prices (for service with no phone). 

[Deleted User]

VM usually isn't FTTP, it is probably coax cable but having said that, just as capable as optical fibre for up to 1 Gig speeds at the moment.

I'm with VM, you will get an annual inflation price rise applied of a couple of quid and then when out of contract probably will be significantly more - could be around 25% more than the initial contract price.

But I've had success with haggling, I'm on 18 months of £15 off for a snotty letter about being a loyal customer of 6 years etc and repeat the same routine every time the price renewal comes up.

You are probably better placed to haggle than me given that you have another supplier with fast internet, I can only get the slow 76mbps VDSL if I move from Virgin so I'm somewhat trapped but at least you can play off fast suppliers with each other.

Service has been excellent with VM, use my own high powered router on a 380mbps connection, rock solid internet and always hits the top speeds no matter what time of day.

JJ_Egan

BT now have a built in yearly price increase CPI plus 3.5% or similar .

You agree to this so no way to use rises as a negotiating tool .

(Edit. It looks like VM is ahead on speeds and prices (for service with no phone). )

Are you sure you have FTTP .

fifthofwhisky

[Deleted User] said:

VM usually isn't FTTP, it is probably coax cable but having said that, just as capable as optical fibre for up to 1 Gig speeds at the moment.

I'm with VM, you will get an annual inflation price rise applied of a couple of quid and then when out of contract probably will be significantly more - could be around 25% more than the initial contract price.

But I've had success with haggling, I'm on 18 months of £15 off for a snotty letter about being a loyal customer of 6 years etc and repeat the same routine every time the price renewal comes up.

You are probably better placed to haggle than me given that you have another supplier with fast internet, I can only get the slow 76mbps VDSL if I move from Virgin so I'm somewhat trapped but at least you can play off fast suppliers with each other.

Service has been excellent with VM, use my own high powered router on a 380mbps connection, rock solid internet and always hits the top speeds no matter what time of day.

Oh, that's right, VM uses coax cable. 

Can't imagine I'll be needed more than 300mbps for a while. 

fifthofwhisky

JJ_Egan said:

BT now have a built in yearly price increase CPI plus 3.5% or similar .

You agree to this so no way to use rises as a negotiating tool .

(Edit. It looks like VM is ahead on speeds and prices (for service with no phone). )

Are you sure you have FTTP .

Presently, I have FTTP with PlusNet. BT would be FTTP (available) and VM cable?

PN contract was 18 mo. BT contract would be 24 mo and VM 18 mo. I remember BT sticking it to me on price before.

fifthofwhisky

Just a thought, we have a partially concreted driveway and a front patio. Would VM dig? I doubt they can string coax (BT utility pole)

brewerdave

fifthofwhisky said:

JJ_Egan said:

BT now have a built in yearly price increase CPI plus 3.5% or similar .

You agree to this so no way to use rises as a negotiating tool .

(Edit. It looks like VM is ahead on speeds and prices (for service with no phone). )

Are you sure you have FTTP .

Presently, I have FTTP with PlusNet. BT would be FTTP (available) and VM cable?

PN contract was 18 mo. BT contract would be 24 mo and VM 18 mo. I remember BT sticking it to me on price before.

So you were on the FTTP trial with Plusnet ?? They aren't (yet) offering full fibre on upgraded exchanges. I'm thinking you mean FTTC ??