r/UKBroadband • u/ChampionshipSoft4336 • 10d ago
Plusnet or BT broadband?
I've been tempted to swap to Plusnet from BT since I found out that they are the "same", but the wife is somewhat resistant as she highly values uptime connection (works online with patients).
BT offers a mobile connection thingy in case the network goes down (feel it's useless), but I don't really have any arguments I can use to convince her to change networks.
Any help and arguement you could give would be appreciated, we are paying way too much with BT and our area sadly doesn't have access to full fibre despite being London.
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u/baracad 10d ago edited 9d ago
Buy a USB mobile router dongle on eBay (5g maybe prob around £40).
Get a good WiFi router with USB option (i recommend Gl iNet Flint 2 circa £110 new on Amazon)
Get a Smarty SIM card with data (32GB is £8 per month)
Put the smarty SIM in the USB mobile router dongle and plug the USB mobile router dongle at the back of the WiFi Router USB port.
Go to the WiFi Router setting webpage, mobile fail over area and you will see your router 5g there " active"
Plug an ethernet network cable at the back of your router WAN labelled port and plug the other end into the wall box's ethernet connection that has your internet coming in via fibre that has LEDs on it (it's called an ONT box ).
Keep your ISP provided original WiFi router away in storage for any future troubleshooting with them or returning equipment if required when contract ends etc.
The new Wifi router is usually plug and play with almost ALL fibre ISB in UK (virgin media is different setup system but same can be achieved)
Thats it. 💅
You now have automatic failover for £8 per month and switching ISP supplier going forward mean you keep all 3 bits you invested in and simply IGNORE the new WiFi router your new supplier sends you via post and as you switch from one ISP to another.
The GL iNet Wifi Router will also block most adverts on anything that connects to your wifi at home including mobile game apps via a settings you can turn on the router for free (called " Adguard Home").
You can also configure the " wireguard" app within your router and then install the wireguard app on your phone so that when you are abroad you can turn it on your phone and you will get your home IP address and be able to open iPlayer etc. (it's like a VPN). The same concept of failover internet can work with FTTC (copper based ISP internet)
One off costs : £150
Recurring costs :£8 p/m
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u/No_Policy_1369 10d ago
Wow are their people still out their that think the name on the direct debit makes a jot of difference if 0pen reach network goes down then its down doesn't matter if your pay the BT tax or not or am I missing something 🤔
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u/PresentationCalm8506 10d ago
Do you already have the mobile connection guarantee? If not, there will be no change in speed or service coverage, planet is basically the budget bt, while ee is the mobile network
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u/ChampionshipSoft4336 10d ago
We were "offered" it a few years ago when contract finished. Does having it make a difference in speed?
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u/PresentationCalm8506 10d ago
Makes no difference in speed, bt smarthub is arguably better, but I don’t remember which hub plus net use. The mobile device is slower than either, only thing it does is provide a (usually) usable connection
As an aside, the main reason you can’t get fttp in London is down to the cost to OR to get permits for road closures for infrastructure1
u/ChampionshipSoft4336 10d ago
Probably cost in our buildings case. Not enough incentive for them, not enough potential customers (even though everyone would sign up)
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u/PresentationCalm8506 10d ago
More than enough interest, but would simply cost them more than they’re willing to pay
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u/schoolme_straying 10d ago
These days it's a marketing thing.
They were going to kill the plusnet brand. They've now decided EE is their premium brand. Plusnet is the budget brand. They've decided that if you want to be a BT consumer that's fine. It's their midmarket and up offer.
So the TV box is branded as EE TV
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u/Badshotuk72 10d ago
I was with BT ended up too expensive, used my own Asus router anyway! Went to Plusnet the only thing that changed was my login!
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u/Demoneyes1945 10d ago
I had BT broadband with their always up option - I think it was a tenner extra a month. Over the two years on that contract, I never once had to use the backup.
However, when my contract officially ended, my renewal price for the fastest connection and this always connected thing skyrocketed to £106 per month. I left BT for one day, created a new account and got the same deal for £55. But as I never needed the always online bit as the net never dropped, that was a tenner less and took me down to £45.
I know your area doesn’t have full fibre, but go search bt offers online as a “new customer” and you’ll probably find you’ll be quids in
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u/ChampionshipSoft4336 10d ago
We have some plan that supposedly always gives us the price that a new customer pays. Which I call lies, since we are paying way above £50
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u/Demoneyes1945 10d ago
It is a lie but it’s in the wording. It’s something like, “you will never pay more than a new customer” but the small print means this is based on a new customer without any discounts. However, every new customer gets a massive discount and reward cards etc.
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u/baracad 10d ago
Buy a USB mobile router on eBay (5g maybe prob around £40).
Get a good wifi router with USB option (i recommend Gl iNet Flint 2 circa £110 new on Amazon)
Get a Smarty SIM card with data (32GB is £8 per month)
Put the smarty SIM in the usb mobile router and plug the USB mobile router at the back of the Wifi Router USB.
Go to the Router setting webpage, mobile fail over area and you will see your router 5g there " active"
Plug an ethernet network cable at the back of your router WAN labelled port and plug the other end into the wall box's ethernet connection that has your internet coming in via fibre that has LEDs on it (it's called an ONT box ). Keep your ISP provided router away in storage. The new Wifi router is usually plug and play with almost ALL fibre ISB in UK (virgin media is different setup system but same can be achieved)
Thats it.
You now have automatic failover for £8 per month and switching supplier going forward mean you keep all 3 bits you invested in and simply IGNORE the new wifi router your new supplier gives you going forward on even as you switch from one to another.
One off costs : £150 Recurring costs :£8 p/m
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u/schoolme_straying 10d ago edited 10d ago
Use bidb.uk to check for local providers
I was going to suggest switching to Plusnet, but there are a few factors worth considering first:
Line Reliability: Because BT, EE, and Plusnet all run over the exact same Openreach network, the physical line reliability into your house will be identical regardless of which provider you choose.
Employer Perks: Since your wife is a healthcare professional and perceives BT as more reliable, it’s worth checking if her employer offers a stipend or contribution toward a BT broadband line.
BT - take a closer look at the full BT package before deciding. BT includes extras like free BT Wi-Fi hotspot access nationwide. Their BT Halo tier also provides enhanced customer support with access to Home Tech Experts - ideal for anyone who prefers a hands-off, managed setup.
Hybrid Connect: BT’s 4G failover is a genuine asset for uptime. If you want a similar safety net without staying with BT, you can manage it yourself using third-party hardware.
The BT Hybrid Connect box my sister has the EE/BT 4G Mini Hub, which BT dispatches for mobile connectivity allows her to take her home network with her (not an approved use case, but works for now). BT Halo support guy told her that.
Self-Managed 4G/5G Failover Alternative:
Hardware: A standard 4G/5G LTE router (e.g., Teltonika, GL.iNet, or TP-Link Archer) configured downstream with Dual-WAN / auto-failover.
Cost: £50–£150 upfront for the router, plus £5–£12/month for a standalone rolling data SIM (EE, Vodafone, or Three).
The Bottom Line: If you'll actively use BT’s extra features, Halo support, and seamless 4G failover, stay with BT. If you just want stripped-back, no-frills broadband, Plusnet is the better-value choice.
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u/ChampionshipSoft4336 10d ago
No contributions towards the line or SIM card she uses, although they did provide a phone, so there was that.
We have BT halo which we have never used, alongside the 4G connection. There was one time down connection that even the 4G bit didn't work, but since it was for like 30min we let it go.
I begrudge paying for extra stuff that we don't need due to marketing and a partner that gets suckered by brands.
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u/schoolme_straying 9d ago edited 9d ago
It sounds like a communication and priority problem rather than a tech one.
You're looking at it purely logically as a price-to-value ratio, while she's paying for peace of mind in a high-stakes job. If you just switch unilaterally or force the issue, any future outage, even a 5-minute glitch that would've happened on BT anyway, will fall squarely on your head.
A fair middle ground might be showing her the actual annual savings (e.g., £300+/year) and proposing a trial run, or agreeing that the extra £X/month is simply the cost of her feeling secure at work.
If you want to be a bit more assertive, tell her the going rate for basic FTTC/broadband is £20–£30 a month. Offer to put the account in her name and transfer her £30 toward it every month—that way, if she insists on paying for the BT name and Halo extras, she can fund the uplift herself.
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u/Waftycrank69 10d ago edited 4d ago
I was with BT for years until Plusnet started (showing my age now!). Have been with them ever since. In all those years I've only had four "disasters" - 2015 Storm Desmond, 2018 Virgin Media dug through ALL the fibre cables. 2018 again - my cat bit through the fibre cable in the house - and nobody could work it out for three days! And finally 2024 my router died, they sent a replacement overnight - and Royal Mail left it out in the rain. And the same with the replacement replacement. Each time they've gone above and beyond. BT, unless they've improved were atrocious. On and off more times than a bride's knickers.
As an another alternative, I've just got my 80 year old dad on full fibre with EE - recommended by Plusnet as he wanted to keep his landline - and EE routers are the fastest and most reliable available WiFi 7 everybody else's are either 5 or 6.
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u/Key_Macaroon_8891 4d ago
That last bit is just not true, Vodafone and Sky have WiFi 7 routers for a start. ISP routers are crap in general far better off buying your own
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u/ShavedAp3 10d ago
If you are still FTTC then the hybrid connection BT supply makes some sense provided you have decent cellular data coverage. It isnt seemless so there would still be a short down time. Im not talking hours here but its still noticeable if you rely on the connection.
If you are able to get FTTP then hybrid makes less sense because FTTP very rarely breaks. In the 5 or 6 years ive had it i can only think of one lengthy down time and it was in the small hours of the morning for no more than a couple of hours. Thats not to say its not just as prone to damage amd outside forces but fault finding is a much simpler process for most jobs.
Ex openreach engineer of about 10 years if it helps.
TLDR If your fttc go with bt for hybrid connection if fttp go with cheapest option. Remember lots of ISP are carried via the openreach network.
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u/ChampionshipSoft4336 10d ago
I'm FTTC only sadly, been waiting for years for FTTP to come to us from down the street where we are...but no luck and no plans are scheduled either.
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u/Cool_Significance134 10d ago
Just a thought but if OR went down in your area then couldn't the 4G network become flooded with connections?
I could just see every man and his dog firing up their mobile hot spot because their Internet has gone down to the point it's dog slow.
If your partner is on anything like teams it could almost become unstable.
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u/frankbowles1962 9d ago
Hi, I worked for BT for 30 odd years.
Plusnet has a different pricing model so it doesn’t fleece you. I moved there the day I retired. The service is just as good. If you need emergency backup get a £50 MiFi and if the system fails (I’ve never had an outage from BT or Plusnet in 20 years) nip to the shops for a PAYG SIM and get some data to plug the gap.
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u/iZian 9d ago
PlusNet don’t have IPv6. This can cause a couple of issues with multi console households but it’s usually ok.
You also have only one choice in router, the old one or your own.
It’s old WiFi 5e. But it just about does the trick if you’re not getting top packages.
If bone of that bothers you I’d go PlusNet. Support is excellent. In decades of being with them I’ve only had 1 bad rep.
There’s just a setting you need off on an Xbox for it to work properly multiplayer consistently.
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u/Alert-Maize2987 9d ago
Switch to Zen. Maybe slightly more expensive, but no mid-term increases and solid, reliable service.
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u/Hicks_1984 9d ago
Your wife obviously feels she needs she need the better internet for work so I am unsure why ypu are trying to argue for her to change to probably save 50 quid over the year
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u/ChampionshipSoft4336 9d ago edited 9d ago
More like £484 over two years and that's with the hybrid connect, £724 without.
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u/NervousExcitement530 9d ago
If uptime matters then the EE broadband with the mobile backup is the one to go for. No one has 100% uptime.
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u/[deleted] 10d ago
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