BT fibre broadband vs other suppliers
Discussion
Folks,
I’ve recently started a contract with Plusnet. I achieve the quoted speeds but the connection quality is frequently very patchy, have spoken to them and they say ‘no fault’
They have put up prices and as a result I can leave without penalty. In peoples experience, is the connection/support better with BT or will I just be paying more for the same product?
I’ve recently started a contract with Plusnet. I achieve the quoted speeds but the connection quality is frequently very patchy, have spoken to them and they say ‘no fault’
They have put up prices and as a result I can leave without penalty. In peoples experience, is the connection/support better with BT or will I just be paying more for the same product?
PlusNet supply the standard Openreach product. ADSL/VDSL (FTTC)
If it's the broadband connection itself, then the PlusNet forums are quite good for diagnostics. If it's the Wifi, then it's a suck-it-and-see job with wifi repeaters.
There are some issues with the standard PlusNet Hub-One routers which 'auto-update' frequently, often daily, and drop the ADSL/VDSL link. Sticking in an aftermarket router like a TP-Link Archer solves the problem. There are firmware updates which might fix this, but often they have to be requested in the Community forum.
The dual-band Wifi routers like the Hub-One often confuse 2.4/5GHz stuff like iPads. The cure is to rename one of the SSID's.
You've got thirty days from the receipt of the price-rise email to switch providers. Cancelling, even with the price-rise, gets you a £30 Openreach disconnect fee, unless you switch to another provider first, after informing PlusNet of your intention to leave.
Dealing with PlusNet is slightly easier than dealing with BT if you call them at 8AM.
I got tired of both and moved to 4G broadband. Hang the expense.
If it's the broadband connection itself, then the PlusNet forums are quite good for diagnostics. If it's the Wifi, then it's a suck-it-and-see job with wifi repeaters.
There are some issues with the standard PlusNet Hub-One routers which 'auto-update' frequently, often daily, and drop the ADSL/VDSL link. Sticking in an aftermarket router like a TP-Link Archer solves the problem. There are firmware updates which might fix this, but often they have to be requested in the Community forum.
The dual-band Wifi routers like the Hub-One often confuse 2.4/5GHz stuff like iPads. The cure is to rename one of the SSID's.
You've got thirty days from the receipt of the price-rise email to switch providers. Cancelling, even with the price-rise, gets you a £30 Openreach disconnect fee, unless you switch to another provider first, after informing PlusNet of your intention to leave.
Dealing with PlusNet is slightly easier than dealing with BT if you call them at 8AM.
I got tired of both and moved to 4G broadband. Hang the expense.
There's Virgin Media
There are a few much smaller rural ftth providers
and there is BT - with alllll the other brands that hang off them - poor plusnet will more than likely be the same with BT, Sky, talk talk etc etc...
If you don't have access to VM or the other little'uns, your kinda stuffed..
There are a few much smaller rural ftth providers
and there is BT - with alllll the other brands that hang off them - poor plusnet will more than likely be the same with BT, Sky, talk talk etc etc...
If you don't have access to VM or the other little'uns, your kinda stuffed..
We started with BT years ago and I simply got sick of their Yahoo mail accounts being hacked and the associated spamming.
Moved to Plusnet and had a good few years with them, the annual argument with customer services usually kept the price reasonable. Then last year the argument failed with regard to price and we switched to Vodafone. That's been good so far, the usual swings on speeds due to usage but overall it's been ok.
Moved to Plusnet and had a good few years with them, the annual argument with customer services usually kept the price reasonable. Then last year the argument failed with regard to price and we switched to Vodafone. That's been good so far, the usual swings on speeds due to usage but overall it's been ok.
I’ve had BT Infinity 2 Unlimited for 3 years and can’t fault it. The connection is synchronised at 80 down/20 up and I get a rock-solid 76/19 in the house. This never seems to vary, and there doesn’t appear to be any throttling at peak times. I’m using a BT Smart Hub 6 which is often criticised, but I’ve had no problems with it and it gives full Wi-fi coverage throughout my reasonably sized 3 bed house.
Paul 2000 said:
I’ve had BT Infinity 2 Unlimited for 3 years and can’t fault it. The connection is synchronised at 80 down/20 up and I get a rock-solid 76/19 in the house. This never seems to vary, and there doesn’t appear to be any throttling at peak times. I’m using a BT Smart Hub 6 which is often criticised, but I’ve had no problems with it and it gives full Wi-fi coverage throughout my reasonably sized 3 bed house.
Same here. Can't fault BT or their Hub :humbup:In fact I pay for a max of 54 Mbs but since about 2 months ago for some reason I'm now getting a whopping 110Mbs all the time!
dickymint said:
Same here. Can't fault BT or their Hub :humbup:
In fact I pay for a max of 54 Mbs but since about 2 months ago for some reason I'm now getting a whopping 110Mbs all the time!
I don’t suppose they’ve accidentally upgraded you to their new Ultrafast In fact I pay for a max of 54 Mbs but since about 2 months ago for some reason I'm now getting a whopping 110Mbs all the time!
https://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Infinity-Fibre-broa...
Paul 2000 said:
dickymint said:
Same here. Can't fault BT or their Hub :humbup:
In fact I pay for a max of 54 Mbs but since about 2 months ago for some reason I'm now getting a whopping 110Mbs all the time!
I don’t suppose they’ve accidentally upgraded you to their new Ultrafast In fact I pay for a max of 54 Mbs but since about 2 months ago for some reason I'm now getting a whopping 110Mbs all the time!
https://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Infinity-Fibre-broa...
I shant be asking them though
Just checked and getting 114.81 Mbs
Edited by dickymint on Friday 27th April 09:49
dickymint said:
This the odd thing - Ultrafast not available in my area (just tried their postcode checker) and it also says max available on Infinity to is 76Mb.
I shant be asking them though
Just checked and getting 114.81 Mbs
I was feeling quite smug about my connection until you posted I shant be asking them though
Just checked and getting 114.81 Mbs
Edited by dickymint on Friday 27th April 09:49
I've been with Plusnet for fibre for a few years, been ultra reliable. However I have never used any of the provided hubs from them or anybody else I have been with as they have frankly been crap compared to a decent aftermarket router, particularly for WiFi.
First thing I would suggest doing is try to find out if the router is s
t or if it is the connection. I'd be asking Plusnet to tell you how often the router disconnects/logs in.
First thing I would suggest doing is try to find out if the router is s
t or if it is the connection. I'd be asking Plusnet to tell you how often the router disconnects/logs in.It may be worth reporting a "low/inconsistent/unstable" line speed!
When I upgraded with BT I had a whole string of OpenReach engineers in (7 in 5 days) the penultimate one who couldn't help said he would log a call for "low/inconsistent/unstable" so the 7th came and wow..... he traced the route all the way back to the exchange and then looked for a stronger/better pairing all the way from exchange to house.
It took him half a day but took my line speed from 2.5 pre-upgrade, 5 post upgrade (why did I bother) to an initial 60 but now settled at 42!
When I upgraded with BT I had a whole string of OpenReach engineers in (7 in 5 days) the penultimate one who couldn't help said he would log a call for "low/inconsistent/unstable" so the 7th came and wow..... he traced the route all the way back to the exchange and then looked for a stronger/better pairing all the way from exchange to house.
It took him half a day but took my line speed from 2.5 pre-upgrade, 5 post upgrade (why did I bother) to an initial 60 but now settled at 42!
I've been with Plusnet for a few years too now - I went from BT when they hiked their prices mid-contract. Other than a renegotiation with PN a couple of months ago to bring the price back in line with my expectation (which they did) they've been great. I DON'T use their router (which is the old BT HomeHub 5), I'm still using the BT Smarthub as I've been too lazy to swap over to the TP-Link AC2800 I bought in Jan. I'll get to it at some point.
Try swapping the router out if you can, it may be that that's at fault?
Try swapping the router out if you can, it may be that that's at fault?
tankplanker said:
I've been with Plusnet for fibre for a few years, been ultra reliable. However I have never used any of the provided hubs from them or anybody else I have been with as they have frankly been crap compared to a decent aftermarket router, particularly for WiFi.
First thing I would suggest doing is try to find out if the router is st or if it is the connection. I'd be asking Plusnet to tell you how often the router disconnects/logs in.
This - I'm with PlusNet thankfully (now have both Line rental and FTTC product) had an issue with phone after we cutover from ADSL (when BT had the line rental and ADSL from PlusNet) was caught in the BT say not an issue/PlusNet saying its down to BT. So cutover line rental to PlusNet - within 24 hrs. issue was resolved (bad patch in the Switch)First thing I would suggest doing is try to find out if the router is s
t or if it is the connection. I'd be asking Plusnet to tell you how often the router disconnects/logs in.If not an option - maybe sign up for a line monitoring service. Also ask PlusNet what profile they have on your Broadband connection.
I would say - borrow/buy a decent Modem/Router and test if that improves your uptime/line stability (also maybe move to the Master Socket) to rule out any issues in in-house wiring.
Best of luck - as what was previously a luxury (connectivity) is now a necessity in most households.
Ranger 6 said:
We started with BT years ago and I simply got sick of their Yahoo mail accounts being hacked and the associated spamming.
Moved to Plusnet and had a good few years with them, the annual argument with customer services usually kept the price reasonable. Then last year the argument failed with regard to price and we switched to Vodafone. That's been good so far, the usual swings on speeds due to usage but overall it's been ok.
I've been with them for many years. I too had a Yahoo account hacked, with the concomitant aggravation. I'm gradually migrating all emails to BT internet accounts and have had no problems.Moved to Plusnet and had a good few years with them, the annual argument with customer services usually kept the price reasonable. Then last year the argument failed with regard to price and we switched to Vodafone. That's been good so far, the usual swings on speeds due to usage but overall it's been ok.
I recommend BT. The hacking of my one email account is the only problem I've experienced.
I've always been very happy with the technical performance and features of the BT Broadband offerings but beware that their technical support can be awful if you have an issue (techinical or administrative) - especially should you get through to an Indian helpdesk.
Whenever I've had to do so, I've been kept going through largely pointless checklists for up to an hour and being told contradictory things by different people as they pass me around. Issues typically only get resolved when they finally forward you to a UK office.
Also had a mate who got charged the wrong amount (overcharged of course) when he signed up compared to the deal they offered him and it took him many, many phonecalls and a month and a half of too-ing and fro-ing to get it resolved.
Currently very happy with their Infinity product, luckily nothing that's required me to contact support yet.
Whenever I've had to do so, I've been kept going through largely pointless checklists for up to an hour and being told contradictory things by different people as they pass me around. Issues typically only get resolved when they finally forward you to a UK office.
Also had a mate who got charged the wrong amount (overcharged of course) when he signed up compared to the deal they offered him and it took him many, many phonecalls and a month and a half of too-ing and fro-ing to get it resolved.
Currently very happy with their Infinity product, luckily nothing that's required me to contact support yet.
Edited by Lucas Ayde on Friday 27th April 16:04
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