Downgrade from Fibre to Standard...Not possible?

JenB79

grimble37 said:

JenB79 said:

Well Shell Broadband seem to offer Standard broadband (ADSL2+ based) to new customers online, even where FTTC is available. So i find it very strange why they cannot downgrade an existing customer (assuming ADSL2+ is available)

Interestingly, I had phoned Shell an hour before my last call and that particular agent did actually offer me the standard non fibre broadband at £14.99 and at that time I said no I don't want it because I'd found a cheaper one (plusnet at £13.99) but an hour later I decided that switching to plusnet wasn't worth the hassle for £1 a month so I rang Shell back and this later agent said that I should never even have been offered the standard non fibre broadband as its completely impossible to do and explained that the earlier agent that I spoke to was new and that he would be reporting him to his manager!

In that case, move to Plusnet on ADSL2+, don't let Shell keep you hostage on a service you don't want/need. Migration is a fairly simply process, you simply order through Plusnet and they will take care of the rest - no need to inform Shell that you're leaving.

milgo

@grimble37 are you still in contract with your current provider? If you are then please be aware that there will likely be charges for leaving the contract early. 

brewerdave

JenB79 said:

grimble37 said:

JenB79 said:

Well Shell Broadband seem to offer Standard broadband (ADSL2+ based) to new customers online, even where FTTC is available. So i find it very strange why they cannot downgrade an existing customer (assuming ADSL2+ is available)

Interestingly, I had phoned Shell an hour before my last call and that particular agent did actually offer me the standard non fibre broadband at £14.99 and at that time I said no I don't want it because I'd found a cheaper one (plusnet at £13.99) but an hour later I decided that switching to plusnet wasn't worth the hassle for £1 a month so I rang Shell back and this later agent said that I should never even have been offered the standard non fibre broadband as its completely impossible to do and explained that the earlier agent that I spoke to was new and that he would be reporting him to his manager!

In that case, move to Plusnet on ADSL2+, don't let Shell keep you hostage on a service you don't want/need. Migration is a fairly simply process, you simply order through Plusnet and they will take care of the rest - no need to inform Shell that you're leaving.

Not sure whether that will work either. Openreach would have to disconnect from the much newer FTTC cabinet and restore the old copper line back to the exchange - against their avowed intention to decommission such now.
As you say ,there is virtually no difference in the price of FTTC @ 40/10 when compared with ADSL2+.

grimble37

Would I be right in assuming that when us as a prospective new customer go on to a broadband providers website and put in our home address and telephone number, is it at this point they check whether we would be allowed standard non fibre? 

AstonSmith

There are a few parts of the country where (OpenReach-based) ISPs can't order non-fibre products anymore. Are you in one of them? Salisbury and Mildenhall were the first two areas, but I think it has expanded since.

(Possibly useful link: https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/25/compare_fibre_copper_selloff/ )

southsidergs

grimble37 said:

JenB79 said:

grimble37 said:

JenB79 said:

grimble37 said:

Have just tried to downgrade from fibre to standard broadband and was told its absolutely not possible, not with my current supplier or with any supplier that I may wish to change to. The agent on the phone said its not possible for anyone (not just for me). He seemed really clued up about everything (not new to the job at all) and did say that most customers are unaware of this.
Personally I've never heard of this before and googling around I can't see anything to back up is claim. Is it true? 

What do you mean by "fibre"? FTTC or FTTP? If the latter then its not unusual to see FTTP only properties (ie no copper feed), typically they tend to be new builds. What does the checker here show for your property? (use the address option if your phone number isn't recognized)

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com

If the above checker shows ADSL2+ speeds then you can order ADSL2+ from the likes of Plusnet and TalkTalk. AFAIk BT and Zen have stopped selling ADSL2+ where FTTC speeds are greater, as there's not a huge difference in cost between ADSL2+ and FTTC 40/10 services.

I tried the link but it didn't recognise the phone number, no idea about the FTTP etc. 

You need to click on 'address checker' option:

It does not accept my address either unfortunately! The place has been here since the 70's. No wonder BT can't even fix a small fault, they're rubbish at EVERYTHING 

FYI, BT have no control over your address in the system, the details in the openreach database come from the royal mail. The issue is likely at their side if it doesn't bring up anything using that checker

grimble37

southsidergs said:

grimble37 said:

JenB79 said:

grimble37 said:

JenB79 said:

grimble37 said:

Have just tried to downgrade from fibre to standard broadband and was told its absolutely not possible, not with my current supplier or with any supplier that I may wish to change to. The agent on the phone said its not possible for anyone (not just for me). He seemed really clued up about everything (not new to the job at all) and did say that most customers are unaware of this.
Personally I've never heard of this before and googling around I can't see anything to back up is claim. Is it true? 

What do you mean by "fibre"? FTTC or FTTP? If the latter then its not unusual to see FTTP only properties (ie no copper feed), typically they tend to be new builds. What does the checker here show for your property? (use the address option if your phone number isn't recognized)

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com

If the above checker shows ADSL2+ speeds then you can order ADSL2+ from the likes of Plusnet and TalkTalk. AFAIk BT and Zen have stopped selling ADSL2+ where FTTC speeds are greater, as there's not a huge difference in cost between ADSL2+ and FTTC 40/10 services.

I tried the link but it didn't recognise the phone number, no idea about the FTTP etc. 

You need to click on 'address checker' option:

It does not accept my address either unfortunately! The place has been here since the 70's. No wonder BT can't even fix a small fault, they're rubbish at EVERYTHING 

FYI, BT have no control over your address in the system, the details in the openreach database come from the royal mail. The issue is likely at their side if it doesn't bring up anything using that checker

OK, but surely they should have the phone number. 

molerat

grimble37 said:

OK, but surely they should have the phone number. 

They should do as Shell use the Openreach network so the number should be on the database

JenB79

molerat said:

grimble37 said:

OK, but surely they should have the phone number. 

They should do as Shell use the Openreach network so the number should be on the database

AFAIK Shell use TalkTalk Wholesale which will be the reason why the number isn’t recognised, just like Sky, Vodafone etc. 

iniltous

BT may in some areas only offer FTTC if it’s available, but generally it’s no more expensive anyway,  in fact BT have contacted many ADSL customers offering VDSL for the same price as the customer was paying ADSL…other providers are under no obligation, it’s up to them if they offer ‘downgrades’ to ADSL.
Just because Shell said it’s impossible to move from FTTC to ADSL , doesn’t make it true for all providers, if the OP is with Shell on FTTC and they won’t move their customer to ADSL, simply migrate to another provider that does still offer ADSL.
In time ,there won’t be a choice ( with the BT PSTN switch off by 2025 ) any BTw provider will have to take this on board , but given the almost identical pricing many providers use for ADSL or FTTC , that isn’t really an issue.