Changing Provider from Plusnet to BT

[caravanj]

We've been with Plusnet for 10 years & are now in a full fibre area. Plusnet don't offer a VOIP facility with their full fibre packages so we'd need a 3rd party VOIP provider

Our contract with Plusnet expires in May 2024 so we're proposing to stay with them until it expires & then switch to BT on the basis that BT will provide both full fibre  & a VOIP service & that we could plug our existing DECT phone into the BT Hub 2 router phone socket.

Could you confirm that what we think are the facts & are indeed correct.

Thanks for any help / advice.

[licquorice · Accepted solution]

Correct

[caravanj]

Thanks for your prompt reply.

BT here we come in May 2024.

[garybs29]

Check the plusnet forum, they appear to be letting people move to BT FTTP & DV via plusnet while in contract too

[caravanj]

@garybs29 

Thanks, there is a bit of conflicting advice about changing to BT while in contract so I'll talk to Plusnet & see what they say.

From what I now understand, Plusnet, although a subsidiary of BT, isn't permitted to offer a VOIP service so I imagine large numbers will be switching to BT by the end of 2025.

[licquorice]

You don't have to use your ISP for VoIP, you can use a third party provider.

[iniltous]

TBH I don’t think it’s a case that Plusnet not being ‘allowed’  to offer VoIP , but it’s the overarching strategy of BT Group that will dictate what Plusnet offers , it makes no sense for a group of related businesses to compete in the same sector with no differentiation between them ,  it’s not particularly clear what Plusnet will become ( or even if the brand survives)    EE is going to be the consumer brand of BT Group, BT the business brand , leaving Plusnet to offer what ?, it may become a  ‘no frills’ broadband brand , ( the budget brand ) hence the lack of a telephony option , or it may disappear completely….

[caravanj]

@licquorice 

@iniltous 

Thanks for your replies.

I didn't want to have a 3rd party VOIP provider so this afternoon I used the BT chat service to place an order for 500Mb full fibre with unlimited phone calls.

It's a bit overkill really as I don't make many phone calls either landline or mobile & at 79 I don't do any gaming or loads of streaming but I do have a lot of smart devices & several cloud-based CCTV cameras.

Anyway I like to keep up with the latest technology, even though I am 79, & the landline would have gone at some point.

The Openreach engineer visit is scheduled for the afternoon of the 27th October.

BT are contacting Plusnet & will handle everything including the transfer of our landline number.

I suppose Plusnet will still have a customer base who don't want VOIP or who are prepared to have what I, personally,  regard as the extra hassle of dealing with a 3rd party VOIP.

[licquorice]

Good to hear, post back to let us know how you get on.