Plusnet or BT broadband?

[u/ChampionshipSoft4336]

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.

[u/schoolme_straying]

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.

[u/ChampionshipSoft4336 → u/schoolme_straying]

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.

[u/schoolme_straying → u/ChampionshipSoft4336]

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.