Plusnet contract renewal in January 2024

confusedpaul

I have just been in the same situation with Plusnet, contract is up in February and all options on the website did not include a landline. I spent an afternoon trying to understand digital voice and options with 3rd party suppliers. Confused I gave them a call and was offered the same as you, a two year extension with the service staying exactly as it is with broadband and landline. If the exchange is scheduled for turn off then they will be in touch and I can worry about it nearer the time, but it is possible to keep the landline with them at least for now.  I believe it is no longer possible to switch a traditional landline to another supplier, so I chose to "kick the can down the road", stick with what I have and deal with it when the time comes.

[Deleted User]

I have done the same, confusedpaul.  Maybe for a different reason - I'm not too well just now and, when the time comes, I hope to be better at taking change on board and dealing with it.  I just signed up with Plusnet, like you and renewed for another 24 month contract.

iniltous

With a renewal of a ‘contract’ the ISP should take  advantage of this opportunity to get the customer off the PSTN network and into an IP network, the consensus was  , if you want to stay on PSTN until the very end of PSTN ( which is December 2025 ) don’t renew and don’t migrate to another company.
Because a new 24 month minimum term is basically just an arrangement between Plusnet and their customer, nothing to do with Openreach, if PN want to renew someone’s contract without taking advantage to get them off PSTN , it’s against the spirit of the arrangement with Openreach but apparently can be done .

If remaining on PSTN suits the individual, even if it only serves to delay the inevitable for 24 months , that’s no different really to continuing on an out of contract basis (  from Openreach point of view ) ,  it’s odd in a way though that it’s a BT Group business ( Plusnet ) doing are doing this legal but breaking the spirit of the policy ,  as it does fly in the face of the industry aim to get everyone off the PSTN network sooner rather than later .

thriftytracey

Hi there

Our Plusnet contract expires on 15th February.  Unlimited Fibre estimated download speed 36 megabyte this price Includes land line rental and call plan the renewal offer is £40.26 (18 month contract) we currently pay £42.96.  It will go up in March CPI + 3.9%. 

I've used the Broadband Tool in MSE for the same features and there is only Shell that come out as cheaper £37.49.  I've heard dire reviews about their customer service.

I really don't want to lose my phone line - we don't always get good reception where we live and I prefer using a phone rather than a mobile phone, stuck to my ear and accidentally getting cut off etc!  You can probably guess my age LOL.

All a bit depressing.  It seems there is no choice.    

alanwsg

Hmm - my Plusnet contract end on 3rd Feb and I've just had the renewal email...

Unlimited Fibre broadband and line rental for just £25.99 a month, increases 31 March. 18 month contract. Annual price changes apply.

I don't have a call plan but then I don't use the phone - does that add so much?

(BTW, I won't take it - I'm ceasing my fixed broadband as I have an 3mobile SIM with unlimited data which gives me 60Mb download speed and probably ten times that when 3 put up a 5G mast near me).

thriftytracey

alanwsg said:

Hmm - my Plusnet contract end on 3rd Feb and I've just had the renewal email...

Unlimited Fibre broadband and line rental for just £25.99 a month, increases 31 March. 18 month contract. Annual price changes apply.

I don't have a call plan but then I don't use the phone - does that add so much?

(BTW, I won't take it - I'm ceasing my fixed broadband as I have an 3mobile SIM with unlimited data which gives me 60Mb download speed and probably ten times that when 3 put up a 5G mast near me).

Yes, the line rental and call plan are a hefty addition to the price.

We contacted Plusnet and they have now discounted the price to £37 a month.  This will increase in March by CPI + 3.9%.  I thought this practice of price increases mid contract was going to be stopped?  Can you imagine - if all the insurance companies decided to do this as well?  I wouldn't be surprised if they were considering it,  The public are just cash cows for these organisations.

iniltous

Not sure how insurance is in any way comparable, with insurance ( car , house , travel ) you pay for a year in advance, if anyone chooses to pay monthly, they are not insured month by month , the insurance company may offer the option to pay monthly, some may just divide the yearly premium into 12 payments, but most will add a premium for this facility ( so for arguments sake , £240 a year , or £25 a month  ) plus , should someone take a years insurance and want to cancel after 6 months , chances are the refund ( if they paid yearly ) won’t be a straight 50% back , and if they pay monthly they don’t just stop paying there is a good chance are some penalties for early termination are applied , and finally, although I’m not saying insurance is a bad ‘deal’ , in many  areas like car insurance, it’s compulsory, but if you don’t make a claim ( and the vast majority don’t ) then you have paid for nothing more that the reassurance it was there .

wild666

[Deleted User] said:

Thank you both for replying.  Sorry I am out of my depth and don't know what all the abbreviations are -  FTTC, FTTP, PSTN and IP Telephony.  It is geting me down.

I am certain Plusnet have offered me  a 24 month contract for broadband and landline telephone.  I heard previously that Plusnet were stopping landlines but the recent telephone call contradicted this - it sounds as if the person I spoke to misinformed me  right enough.  I believe what you are telling me.  Mistakes happen.

I'm running out of time but it is my fault for not attending to this sooner.  There must be other people on their own, like me, who are struggling with this, a bit older (76) and not in great health.

 If I accept the Plusnet offer will I still have to pay more with another provider when, as I believe you, my landline is switched off?

 I am probably unwise to lock in to a 24 month Plusnet contract.  My decision.

Thank you for your help - only myself to blame for leaving this so late.

If you to onto the PN website they are only offering Internet with no phone package they are charging £25 for new customers for a 24-27Mb connection with no phone line that will increase on 31/3/24. The increase is likely to be around the 10.5% mark as they will be likely to use the 6.7% that benefits increased by plus 3.9%.