Plusnet broadband review (2024)

Plusnet, one of the leading broadband providers in the UK, is renowned for its simple and affordable packages, attracting a vast user base. The company has received numerous awards and high ratings over the years thanks to its commitment to cost-effective pricing, high-speed internet, and extensive coverage.

In this Plusnet broadband review, I’ll delve into its service, checking its coverage, speed, pricing, customer support, and overall value for money to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your enhanced online experience.

Plusnet broadband pros and cons

What is Plusnet?

Plusnet, a broadband provider established in Yorkshire in 1997, prides itself on delivering reliable and affordable internet services. Their mission is to provide value-packed broadband with simplicity. Plusnet keeps it straightforward with its packages, focusing on the basics: no landline costs, cheap broadband setup, free wireless router with internet security package included, and unlimited data usage.

What stands out is Plusnet’s commitment to 12-month contracts, unlike other names like EE or Sky, that are shifting to longer terms.

Plusnet offers different types of broadband, including Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), fibre, and full fibre, with speeds hitting 900Mbps, and mobile data plans. With Plusnet Fibre and Full Fibre, you can pick contracts for 12, 18, or 24 months. For other packages, choose between 18 and 24 months. Plus, there's a flexible 30-day rolling contract, perfect if you prefer a short-term commitment.

The basic ADSL package is the only one with a landline phone connection, featuring pay-as-you-go calls. Plusnet also needs more live TV channels, making it suitable for those looking for premium sports and movie packages.

Plusnet broadband speed

An Ofcom UK broadband performance report indicates that Plusnet – a company that uses the Openreach network – holds its own against other major providers when it comes to speed. Plusnet offers a range of speeds to accommodate different needs, from basic browsing to high-demand activities like gaming and streaming.

I chose to break down Plusnet’s Unlimited Fibre Extra package, which offers speeds up to 66 Mbps. This speed is more than sufficient for my needs. Those in my home frequently stream HD movies and TV shows on multiple devices simultaneously, and I often work from home, requiring a stable and fast connection for video conferencing and large file uploads. Additionally, the speed has proven solid for online gaming, providing a lag-free experience.

Plusnet’s speeds are competitive with other providers. While it might not always match the highest speeds offered by premium providers like Virgin Media, which can go up to 1 Gbps, Plusnet’s speeds are more than adequate for most households. The average speeds are consistent and reliable, making it a great choice for families or individuals who need a dependable connection for everyday use.

Overall, Plusnet’s broadband speed has met all my expectations, offering a perfect balance of performance and affordability. Whether you're working from home, streaming your favourite shows, or engaging in online gaming, Plusnet provides the necessary speeds to ensure a smooth and enjoyable internet experience.

Plusnet broadband plans and speed options

When it comes to broadband speeds, Plusnet offers a variety of packages tailored to different needs.

Here's a breakdown of my experiences researching Plusnet's Unlimited Broadband, Fibre, and Full Fibre options, and how they fare for everyday internet use, streaming, and gaming.

• Unlimited Broadband. I looked at Plusnet's Unlimited Broadband, and customers reportedly received around 8Mbpps, while the average advertised download speed is 10Mbps. Generally, I didn’t notice any complaints about buffering while browsing, which means it should be suitable for basic everyday activities on the internet. However, for frequent streaming or online gaming, you should opt for plans with higher speeds.
• Plusnet Fibre. After research, the brand's superfast fibre packages tend to deliver an average download speed of around 57-58Mbps. Ideal for multitasking on multiple devices in a household of 2-3 people, especially for regular streaming or online gaming.
• Plusnet Full Fibre. When I dove into Plusnet's Full Fibre 300 broadband, I found customers consistently experienced robust speeds above 250Mbps, which was good for gaming, streaming, and browsing, even with several people in the household. Advertised speeds for Plusnet Full Fibre plans range from 74Mbps to 910Mbps.

What should my broadband speed be with Plusnet?

According to Ofcom’s report on UK home broadband performance, Plusnet’s advertised download speeds are typical for providers using the Openreach network, and the average speeds are quite similar among most providers.

If you’re in an area with fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP), Plusnet offers full fibre broadband with speeds up to 900Mbps.

Plusnet broadband area coverage

Plusnet’s coverage through the Openreach network is nearly nationwide – reaching 80% of the country geographically and 99% of the UK population – making it widely accessible to customers unless they reside in extremely rural areas.

While their full fibre products aren’t available everywhere in the UK, you most likely get fibre broadband for your address.

Since Plusnet relies on the Openreach network, its coverage is comparable to many providers in the UK. The strength of the connection depends on the quality of the Openreach line rather than Plusnet’s broadband infrastructure.

It's important to note that Plusnet is responsible for many aspects of your connection, so if you experience any outages, we recommend reporting them directly to the provider.

Is Plusnet broadband available in my area?

Curious about joining Plusnet? Simply enter your postcode in the Plusnet deal checker to find out which packages are available in your area. Choose the one regarding your price, speed, or contract length preferences.

As stated earlier in this Plusnet broadband review, it provides various broadband options – including ADSL, fibre, and full fibre. Although their full fibre isn’t accessible everywhere in the UK, you probably can get ADSL or fibre broadband for your address.

Value for money

By any measure, Plusnet broadband deals stand out as one of the best available in the UK. Its standard broadband and fibre packages are priced well below competing suppliers offering similar speeds. This makes Plusnet an excellent choice if you’re on a tight budget or simply want to ensure you’re not overpaying for your broadband.

I find Plusnet’s monthly pricing to be an excellent value for the service provided. As someone who isn't in need of an extensive suite of additional features, Plusnet’s cost-effective plans perfectly align with my requirements.

Plusnet manages to keep its rates competitive by prioritizing a solid user experience over an abundance of extras. All I really needed was a reliable internet connection, and the affordable monthly fee suits me perfectly. The connection is consistently strong, making it ideal for streaming, browsing, and working from home without any issues.

Although larger providers like BT or Sky offer more comprehensive packages, the significant price difference makes their services less appealing to me. Ultimately, Plusnet’s streamlined offering provides better value for my needs.

Plusnet customer support

Plusnet has great customer service, and it seems like it earned that reputation. You can reach the UK-based support center through live chat, phone, Twitter, or even troubleshoot by text. There, you've got a lot of helpful info in the knowledge base, and with all the details on the website and the friendly Plusnet community forum, you might not even need to make a call.

As for my personal experience, I tested several customer support options (live chat, Plusnet guides, community forum) and found them to be reliable and helpful. A lot of information is provided in Plusnet guides, so certain problems I could solve by myself, and if not, live chat or a call proved useful.

In Ofcom’s recent report, Plusnet secured the second position for customer service satisfaction right after EE. A substantial 89% of their customers expressed satisfaction with Plusnet’s services, though there was room for improvement in overall satisfaction with complaints handling, which ranked below average.

I agree with the majority of customers. My experience with the live chat agent was wonderful – my query on broadband pricing and speeds was solved rather quickly and knowledgeably, though I could have dug through the website and found it myself.

Plusnet broadband packages

Plusnet offers a variety of broadband packages, including options to bundle broadband and other services. Personally, I opted to hone in on their broadband-only package, which I’ve found consistently delivers a strong, reliable connection that meets all my streaming, browsing, and work-from-home needs without any hiccups.

For those who need more, Plusnet provides attractive bundle deals. The broadband and phone deal is a great choice if you’re looking for an integrated solution with a landline. It also has broadband and TV bundles that offer access to popular channels, which might appeal to those who want an all-in-one entertainment solution without breaking the bank. Though I don’t need TV service specifically, it’s still nice to know the option is out there.

Plusnet installation and equipment

One of the standout aspects of Plusnet’s service is the ease of installation and the quality of the equipment included. For those who sign up for a broadband package, Plusnet provides a high-quality router at no additional cost – the Plusnet Hub Two. The Hub Two features four Gigabit Ethernet ports and two wireless antennas that support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi connections. Its extended signal range makes it an ideal option for larger households.

The installation process itself is straightforward. The router tends to arrive promptly, and the setup instructions are clear and easy to follow. Although I'm moderately tech-savvy, I believe that even someone with minimal technical experience would find the process manageable. Plusnet also offers customer support to assist with any installation issues.

The included router reportedly offers strong and consistent Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home, supporting multiple devices with ease. This hassle-free setup and reliable equipment have significantly contributed to positive experiences with Plusnet.

Overall, Plusnet’s approach to installation and the provision of high-quality equipment further enhances the value of their service, ensuring that getting started is as simple and smooth as possible.

Conclusion: should you get Plusnet broadband?

Consider Plusnet if you’re looking for a reliable and affordable broadband connection. It’s a good choice for those who live in a smaller household with casual internet users and enjoy streaming movies and shows without needing premium TV. Plusnet provides excellent value for your money: the customer support is great, the performance is solid, and the installation is inexpensive.

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