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.

I recently had Pllusnet Openreach FTTP installed. The Custom Splice Point was installed where the cable comes out of the ground. The fibre cable from the CSP to the ONT was installed where I asked. (A Bungalow attic).. To get the service to work I removed the router wan cable RJ45 plug from the HG612 modem (FTTC) and plugged it into the ONT.

In reply to a post by Stealth_Penguin:

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.

If you are in a fibre priority area, and FTTP is available to your property, you cannot take FTTC or SOGEA any more. You can neither regrade your existing service (e.g. change the speed), nor transfer to a different service provider, if FTTP is available. You also cannot change WLR+FTTC to SOGEA unless there are exceptional circumstances.

You can keep FTTC with your current service provider but only for as long as they agree to serve you, and in any case not beyond Jan 2027 when WLR is withdrawn. Then you can either lose service completely, or you take take FTTP.

My recommendation: just take FTTP. You're going to have to take it very soon anyway, so refusing to accept FTTP installation appointments is not going to last very long.

And yes, other options like mobile broadband and Starlink exist: they'll give you a far less reliable service than FTTP and/or be more expensive.

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

I recently had Pllusnet Openreach FTTP installed. The Custom Splice Point was installed where the cable comes out of the ground. The fibre cable from the CSP to the ONT was installed where I asked. (A Bungalow attic).. To get the service to work I removed the router wan cable RJ45 plug from the HG612 modem (FTTC) and plugged it into the ONT.

Out of interest is your attic fully boarded, easily accessible and "safe"? I am considering BT FTTP but not knowing what an engineer will or not do during an install is making it difficult to commit. Is it completely dependant on the engineer? Could I be unlucky and get an engineer who will not go in the attic or install as I wish? Thanks

In reply to a post by think26872:

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

I recently had Pllusnet Openreach FTTP installed. The Custom Splice Point was installed where the cable comes out of the ground. The fibre cable from the CSP to the ONT was installed where I asked. (A Bungalow attic).. To get the service to work I removed the router wan cable RJ45 plug from the HG612 modem (FTTC) and plugged it into the ONT.

Out of interest is your attic fully boarded, easily accessible and "safe"? I am considering BT FTTP but not knowing what an engineer will or not do during an install is making it difficult to commit. Is it completely dependant on the engineer? Could I be unlucky and get an engineer who will not go in the attic or install as I wish? Thanks

It depends on the day and who you get. There is some no nos, like going on flat roofs, as they can't guage if its safe. That is the key - if they think its not safe then its a no no.

What kind of route are you thinking of?

Yes, the attic is boarded in the relevant area. The installation was done by an Openreach contrator. That was written on his van.

The original underground telephone ended in the attic when the property was bought 11 years ago.

Edited by Michael_Chare (Sat 23-May-26 00:40:19)

In reply to a post by Stealth_Penguin:

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.

Some years ago, when BT tried mid-contract price rises, I left BT without penalty so it is possible if they want to make changes that you do not agree to: Therefore, if you do want to leave; I would not agree to a change to EE or another part of BT as that would certainly mean a new contract period.

It seems that you had already planned to move to VM, (in November), mainly because they will install the service to the front of your property, (via old underground ducts), and you do not want any Openreach cables arriving at the rear of your property and that your main concern.

However, if a change to a FTTP service does not require you to pay a penny more and it does not affect the present contract end date of November then it makes no difference to you if it is a FTTC or a FTTP Service.

That said; I suspect that what you would really like is for Openreach to arrive, (just after you transfer to VM), to remove their existing Openreach Cable, (beit FTTC or FTTP), at their expense because you do not like the look of the Openreach Cable and that is highly unlikely.

Therefore, if the proposed change from an Openreach FTTC service to an Openreach FTTP service, (had not been planned), you would have just moved to VM in November and the existing Openreach FTTC Cable would have remained in place so in some ways the proposed change over to FTTP, (from having the existing Openreach cable, (arriving at the rear of your property), is mute as the existing Openreach Cable will usually remain, in situ after a change to a VM Service and that is a separate issue from the timing of your being able to move to VM without incurring a penalty.

Obviously, you do not have to agree to the change if it alters your contract end date or t&c and if Plus Net do not provide the service you can leave early without penalty.

Personally, I would check what the lead times are to install VM at your property, (I would not agree to change over from FTTC to FTTP, (if the present contract end period and t&c were changed)), and I would arrange for VM to be installed a few weeks before the proposed change date over to a FTTP Service.

There are a few more points to consider:

(1). My experience of FTTP from BT has been good.

(2). The new FTTP did arrive via the existing BT/Openreach underground ducts to the front of the house to a hole through the wall, (covered by a junction box), near to the hole that the old FTTC cable entered the house but the Openreach installer would have used a different location of the house for an entry point had we wanted that but obviously they would not have changed the underground ducting.

We cannot get VM in our area but we have been quite happy with FTTP since we went to BT as the BT service has been good.

I too had the email from Plusnet telling me I would be moved to EE on the same contract details etc. The only noticeable change would be a new router (and the hassle of reconnecting all my devices). On reading the FAQ I found that an engineer would NOT come into my home during the change. This implies no ONT would be installed. How does that work?
In reality I am waiting for YouFibre or CityFibre to come up my street.

In reply to a post by BXW:

I too had the email from Plusnet telling me I would be moved to EE on the same contract details etc. The only noticeable change would be a new router (and the hassle of reconnecting all my devices). On reading the FAQ I found that an engineer would NOT come into my home during the change. This implies no ONT would be installed. How does that work?

Simple: you'll be staying on copper.

Your broadband connection changes to SOGEA (the same as FTTC but broadband data only - no analogue voice signal from the exchange), and then the router provides a voice service which runs digitally over the broadband.

Come January 2027 the analogue phone service is being switched off, but not everyone will have FTTP available. Everyone in your position will be switched over to digital voice (if they want to keep a voice service), whilst remaining on copper broadband.