Out of contract prices

My contract is finishing but is there any reason the new price should be so high?

My area is about to get FTTP but I’ll switch away from Plusnet rather than re contract as I don’t feel like these out of contract prices are fair.



“When your contract ends your monthly price will go from £28.59 to £54.39. Annual price changes apply.”

Why not recontract at the lower price and then when FTTP arrives switch your PN contract to FTTP and maybe, as I gound, the price will drop!




And three months in, I need to cancel FTTP soon due to a bereavement - no early termonation chanrges either.

Plusnet and other large ISPs offer large discounts during the contract period and have what are effectively surcharges out-of-contract compared to smaller ISPs. Offering larger contracted discounts may help retain customers, the out-of-contract charges for those who fail to recontract helps pay for this.

There are a number of smaller ISPs who offer 1 month rolling contracts - often with no setup fee, if migrating in an existing service, except for a router unless you have a suitable one of your own.

What service is that price for and do you have anything on top like bundled calls? That seems very high for a non-FTTP contract if it is just for broadband. But, they do keep the out of contract prices high to encourage people to recontract to keep a known steady stream of income.

It’s just a basic 80Mbps FTTC service with no call package.

When FTTP comes I want to be able to pick a provider based on options available then and not be locked into plusnet. If plusnet are the best option at that point I would go with them but this is really putting me off.

How many old folk are sat paying £55 a month? Or people moving house etc?

I get that pricing is discounted but realistically £25-£35 is normal for FTTC from a mass market provider. Paying even 2-3 months at this inflated price just feels like profiteering.




I think I’ll look at Now or Pulse8 - they seem to offer 1 month contracts.

It doesn't matter whether it's fair because if you re-contract you won't be paying it, just the same as you are now or lower.

I agree. My price has virtually doubled out-of-contract, but I don't want to re-contract with them. But I've been procrastinating about migrating (and paying dearly for it) as I don't have any backup access to the internet (no smartphone) and am nervous of anything going wrong.

In a similar position I went for a Pulse8 rolling monthly contract, gave me the flexibility to move when I needed to and their prices at the time were pretty competitive with the rest of the market. I certainly wouldn't stay on PlusNet at that price for an 80Mbps FTTC service. Pulse8 look to be £37 a month but doesn't include a router if not taking a contract.

Assuming that it's Openreach FTTP that is due to arrive with you soon (our situation was different as CityFibre arrived first)...
If you're satisfied with Plusnet's service I would give them a call and negotiate (use a price comparison site such as Comparethemarket to find out what you should be paying and aim for at least a similar price to what you're paying now). Then negotiate a free transfer to Plusnet FTTP when it's available, which could actually be cheaper.

If the anticipated FTTP provider is an altnet such as CityFibre, seek out a short-term monthly contract such as Pulse8 instead.

I was paying a similar amount for Plusnet 36MB or so but on renewal last spring was offered FTTP 80/20 for about £27 pm, a couple of £s less. All the ISPs seem very keen to get us on FTTP, I wonder are they getting a bonus? Only problem is promised FTTP is one thing, actually getting it is another. I too suggest you give them a ring and tell them about the better deals you can get elsewhere.

By the way, I think you may have to give a month's notice before leaving, and rentals are paid in advance. After your contract expires this advance rental will be at the exorbitant no-contract rate.