In reply to a post by 4M2:

Think I would try a push it even more: if at the end of an 18 month contract, when one would be on a monthly rolling minimum term, negotiate with retentions for an upgrade to 80/20 from 40/20 without entering into a new 18 month contract. If they refuse then a MAC request might change their minds

Once, my 80/20 24 months contract is all finished, I would stay and carry on 80/20 with a rolling on 30 days contract. But, knowing BT Openreach / BT Wholesale could bring in 120/30 or FTTPoD in future will result another long term contract again.

In reply to a post by ian72:

Doubt if it is difficult at all. Just a choice of PlusNet's to lock people into a new contract if they change package. Business rather than technical.

which could lose them revenue as it deters people from upgrading, of course in theory it can save revenue if it deters people from downgrading.

either way I agree with max, its a bit immoral from plusnet to enforce recontract for this.

I don't believe it is immoral, business does this all the time. However, I do believe they could take the option of not extending contracts but morality has little to do with it in my opinion. The question is would they make more money by allowing upgrades without extending contract or by relying on people who want upgrades to be willing to lock in for another 12/18 months?

In the end it is a business case question not a moral one.

thats a weird way of deciding if its moral, so if everyone does it, its ok?

The fact other people are doing it isn't why I don't consider it immoral. It just isn't a morality issue in any way to me. It is a business issue and if a customer doesn't want to extend contract there are other choices.

Why is a contract extension an issue of morality in your eyes as opposed to simple business decision?

I see contracts as anti competitive, locking customers in as a constant fear they will leave, like is no faith in your own service to keep them.

its a sad state of affairs when consumers start seeing this practice as acceptable.

The contractor had arrived this morning at my parents and he managed to get the new socket and installed fibre. My parents is pleased with the result. Getting a speed of 75 down and 19 up as BT Estimated were 72 down and 19 up. All went ok. At first it was capped at 40Mbps as Plusnet set the profile 40Mbps at their side before they changed it to 80Mbps.

Edited by adslmax (Thu 10-Jul-14 17:16:26)

In reply to a post by Chrysalis:

I see contracts as anti competitive, locking customers in as a constant fear they will leave, like is no faith in your own service to keep them.

its a sad state of affairs when consumers start seeing this practice as acceptable.

Hear Hear!

As a loyal customer for 9 years, why do I pay more for a monthly contract? (and on ADSL2 at higher cost than FTTx)

Do you not have the option of moving over to a current contract? Or have you kept the old contract because of particular features it includes that you are therefore paying the old price for?

Most companies, including PlusNet and Sky, will allow people to move over to new pricing tariffs and will potentially give discounts if you are willing to commit. PlusNet are actually one of the better ISPs for doing this and will generally offer deals to existing customers as well as new.

TBH, I'm on 11.5 Meg on ADSL2, and I can't really see the need for more. I don't do any heavy downloading at all. Mostly browsing and occasional streaming on the Beeb or Youtube. Neither of which ever max out the connection. 4K is not likely to be happening in the near future, and I would need kit that utilises it.

I wouldn't say no to FTTx, but my experiences of changeover from ADSL to ADSL2+, and other general changes over the years are making me disinclined. The thing works at present. I could have no end of testing, speed issues and so on, because some eejit does or doesn't flick a switch at the other end.

Then there's the kit (probably have it all here already). I don't fancy the downtime, that I'm sure will come.