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service provider but only for as long as they agree to serve you, and in any case not beyond Jan 2027 when WLR is withdrawn.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.