The Great Escape

I had the first call from Plusnet re Digital Switchover a few weeks ago. Having researched options many months ago I expected/intended to retain my FTTC connection, lose the landline phone, which I rarely use now anyway, and go Broadband Only (SOGEA), staying with PN.

Was informed that's not an option as Openreach will not allow retention of FTTC once an area is prioritised for FTTP, so if I stay I have to go FTTP. I asked how long I had to decide, I'm told that contract expires in November, so I have some months to work out what to do.

What I don't want, is an FTTP install at the rear of the property where the existing line comes in, but that is the only route available for anything Openreach-based, as that's where the poles are.

The area was ducted years ago by Nynex, so I have the option of going with Virgin Media, which would come in at the front.

So, move forward a few weeks and I get an email from PN informing me that, as I haven't told them I want to stay (ie Broadband Only, no phone), they will soon be migrating me to EE.

I had occasion to call PN about a technical issue, so tacked on some questions about my options at this point. This confirms that going BB-only with PN will trigger an FTTP install, but migrating to EE will keep FTTC (with a new router), but afterwards I'll be repeatedly pestered to accept a free upgrade to FTTP.

Partway through this, the PN bod suggests EE mobile broadband as a solution, and passes me over to that side of the operation, fair enough, they're all BT-owned.

I'm in contract till November, so I'm not going to pay for both connections during a six-month overlap, so can I exit my contract early without penalty, possibly on the basis that BT, as the owner of both, will still be getting my cash (and more of it than they currently get), just by a different route.

Apparently that's a question for PN (so now they're separate organisations). How about if I wait till after the migration, then I'll be an EE customer and PN will not care as the contract has transferred out?

Ah, but, apparently the new EE router provided as part of the migration (a change I haven't initiated or asked for), will also require FTTP, contrary to what the PN guy told me a matter of minutes earlier, and that that this will happen to suit their timetable, and probably won't wait till the end of the contract. No mention of any of this in the PN migration email either.

Next call to PN is to ask about early contract exit - good news, of a sort: if I go with EE mobile, PN will cover the exit charge. Fair enough, but at the back of my mind is the question what if I jump ship to VM instead, which I'd only be doing because PN/EE/Openreach are forcing a change to the product that I haven't asked for and don't want, surely I should have a 'free pass' to leave anyway under those circumstances?

However, this call also confirms that the EE migration router will utilise the existing FTTC connection, so (hopefully) all I need to do is decline any FTTP upgrade offers, and sort out an alternative connection, to my own timetable, but before the end of the contract, so no early exit required anyway.

I have to say that everyone I spoke to was very pleasant and helpful, but it strikes me that the situation is rather unsatisfactory when their own people can't give the consumer clear and consistent information across the two brands, and I am left wondering how someone with less, or no, technical knowledge, or the will to persist in asking specific questions over several calls, would fare, and how many are just getting swept along by the BT process juggernaut?

I'm confused. So whats your issue with having fttp?

He said that he had a problem with his rear entrance.
At my age, that's quite common ... so I'm told.

In reply to a post by bit_bucket:

He said that he had a problem with his rear entrance.
At my age, that's quite common ... so I'm told.

no explaination beyond that and as we know the fibre can come thru other directions

Mate you're trying to push water up hill, just bite the bullet and go for Openreach FTTP or move to VM, all this trying to keep FTTC is in vain.

Just to add, if you're leaving for VM in November clearly tell PN that and say "I won't migrate to FTTP or EE, Now what?? leave me allow to November or release me from my contract as I'm not walking"

Edited by PCJM40 (Wed 20-May-26 10:54:00)

Nope, he will not win, I tried and that was a few years ago.

Adrian, rather than just saying "Nope" tell us why legally he won't win as from my point of view they can't force you to FTTP or force you to a different provider without your consent, surely you have the right to leave if the terms change. I've always found if you kick off enough and talk about a deadlock letter they find a way to release you.

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

Nope, he will not win, I tried and that was a few years ago.

A Question:
(me opening a can of worms)

Given the choice what you prefer now, fttp or fttc ?

In reply to a post by Taras:

Given the choice what you prefer now, fttp or fttc ?

You didn't give a third option of dial-up!!

In reply to a post by Taras:

A Question:
(me opening a can of worms)

Given the choice what you prefer now, fttp or fttc ?

It makes little difference the majoirty of the time. I do eveything with FTTP that I did with FTTC. The only advantage I find with FTTP is downloading large files, if I have to redo the old PC and game files, but i don't do that very often. When I did it with FTTC I just left the computer on overnight. The higher upload speed is useful, sending files to other people I suppose.

But all in all, I would still be fine on FTTC, I have no real preferences.