Latest news with #Plusnet
Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Sky cuts price of household essential but is Virgin better?
Sky is taking on Virgin Media and Plusnet with its latest round of price cuts, but are the deals actually worth it? Brits are being offered the chance to reduce their household bills as Sky launches a summer broadband sale. For a limited time, shoppers can sign up for Sky's Full Fibre 300 broadband for £28 per month, down from £30. While £2 may not appear to be a huge reduction, this is the cheapest price ever offered for the package and saves £48. However, this isn't the first time Sky's Full Fibre 300 has dropped so low, with the same price also offered in April. The latest price drop is set to expire on July 23, along with Sky's discounted Full Fibre Gigafast package – its fastest broadband. This option delivers speeds up to 900Mbps for the now-cheaper price of £38 per month, down from £42. However, Sky's cheaper prices can't beat Virgin Media's rival deals, as even Virgin's most pricey broadband plan is cheaper and faster than Sky's equivalent. That's because Virgin's Gig1 Fibre Broadband – delivering speeds up to 1,130Mbps – comes in at £29.99 per month. That's 200Mbps faster and £8.01 cheaper than Sky Gigafast – a huge price difference of £192.24 over the life of the plan. The catch is that Virgin's faster speeds may not be offered to everyone, so it's always worth checking availability with each provider. Plusnet also rivals Sky's summer sale with its own £29.99 Full Fibre 300 plan, while those upgrading to the £31.99 Full Fibre 500 plan will receive a £75 reward card to spend online and in many high street shops. Each provider has made it easier for customers to switch their broadband with the introduction of One Touch Switch. This new scheme means customers don't have to contact their old provider when they switch, as the new provider will do the work on their behalf. Broadband contracts with Sky, Virgin and Plusnet all run for 24 months, but customers can expect the price they pay to increase each year. Virgin and Plusnet have already confirmed its broadband prices will rise by £3.50 and £3 respectively in April 2026 in an inflation-linked increase. Sky is yet to announce its price chances, but a 6.2% increase this year suggests we may see a similar rise next year. Despite this, Sky has won over many customers, with some leaving glowing reviews on Trustpilot. One Sky member said: 'I have just had Sky broadband updated from wire to FTTP. It was straightforward to order. I was kept fully informed. The engineers arrived when they said they would and were very obliging to putting the new cable exactly where I wanted it. The result is a much faster and more reliable internet connection.' Another said: 'I have been with Sky over 11 years. I have never had any problems with the broadband, amazing speed they always give me amazing deals never gone down and never had to have an engineer come out. Would highly recommend.' However, this customer had a more mixed experience, saying: 'Great speed when it actually works. I've never had broadband as unreliable as this.'
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK households urged to check broadband deals now to get full fibre without paying more
Millions of UK households have been urged to check if they can get full fibre without paying a penny more. has said around 11 million homes across the UK could get access to the high internet speeds but are unaware of the broadband deals currently on offer. Many of which could be entitled to a free upgrade, as the government continues to push for access to full fibre nationwide by 2030. Read more: Martin Lewis' MSE delivers verdict on if Premium Bonds 'worth it' after cuts The Labour government has set a goal to bring 85% of the nation into the fastest internet speed by this year. Matt Sanders from said: "Note down the key details of your current broadband deal, such as the connection type, speeds you've been promised and what you're paying." To check your eligibility for full fibre broadband, comparison sites such as MoneySuperMarket detail the best deals currently on offer. All you need to do is punch in your postcode and it will show which internet providers have coverage in your area. If your current provider is listed, but you don't have full fibre, then you may be due an upgrade. and Which? offer broadband speed check tools to compare how fast your internet is and what is currently available on the market. It comes as Broadband Genie has named the internet providers that are best for online gaming, working from home, and streaming in its annual awards. The annual survey named Plusnet as the 'Best Broadband Provider' of the year based off a OnePoll survey of 3,997 broadband bill payers, as well as an analysis of 291,467 broadband speed tests that were run over a 12-month period. Broadband Genie expert Alex Tofts said: 'Customer service is an area which can make or break a positive experience with your internet provider. "Get it right, and customers feel valued and looked after. Get it wrong, and customers will be left frustrated, unheard and will want to look elsewhere. "We can only hope these big players will be pulling their socks up to improve their services. It's no surprise that in a year when customers are once again having to swallow hefty mid-contract price rises that they feel they're not getting value for money. "This is more evidence and only affirms our stance that Ofcom needs to ban mid-contract price rises.' Plusnet won 'Best Provider' as 79% of users rated them the best. The 'Fastest Widely Available Provider' was Virgin Media 188Mbps (average download), while Vodafone secured 'Best Value for Money'.
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
UK's 'best' broadband is not BT, Sky or Virgin
The latest stats are in and there's a surprise winner of the best UK broadband. The UK's broadband has been put through its paces once again, and there's a surprise winner. The team at Broadband Genie have just dished out their yearly gongs, and the top prize hasn't gone to the big three providers. Instead of BT, Sky or Virgin Media filling their trophy cabinet, the winner of the 'best' broadband service is Plusnet. The BT-owned platform beat all of its rivals to be crowned the winner and that's not all as the Internet Service Provider also won Most Reliable Provider and Most User Friendly as well. Speaking about the result, Alex Tofts, Strategist at Broadband Genie said: "You won't find any fancy frills with Plusnet, such as TV or phone bundles. "And while flashy rewards for new switches are few and far between, its straightforward 'broadband only ' deals are a real win. No set-up costs, no line rental, great support, and the peace of mind that comes with good customer service if anything goes wrong. Take to the podium, Plusnet!' Plusnet isn't the only winner. Broadband Genie also handed out a swathe of other gongs, including Best Value for Money, Fastest Widely Available Provider and Best Customer Service. ISPs picking up those prizes include NOW, Three Vodafone and Virgin. Here is the full list of Broadband Genie winners Best Provider: Plusnet Fastest Widely Available Provider: Virgin Media Fastest Wireless Provider: Three Best Value for Money: Vodafone Most Reliable Provider: Plusnet Best Customer Service: NOW Broadband Best Social Tariff: Vodafone Best Provider for Home Working: Virgin Media Best Provider for Online Gaming: Virgin Media Best Provider for Streaming: Virgin Media Most User Friendly: Plusnet Along with announcing those big broadband winners, the latest survey has also revealed the providers and areas where improvements need to be made. According to Broadband Genie, customers were least satisfied with customer service. This category has the lowest scores of any, with providers Direct Save (58%) and Zen Internet (64%) significantly below the average in this area. Value for money was also an issue with this category having the second-lowest average score. Virgin Media (64%), BT (64%), TalkTalk (67%) and Sky Broadband (68%) which form the majority of the broadband market were well off the pace of the front-runners. 'It's no surprise that in a year when customers are once again having to swallow hefty mid-contract price rises that they feel they're not getting value for money," added Tofts. "This is more evidence and only affirms our stance that Ofcom needs to ban mid-contract price rises.'
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major broadband suppliers ranked best to worst – plus how you could shave hundreds off your bill
BRITAIN'S best and worst broadband providers have been revealed today. Comparison site Broadband Genie has named the internet providers that are best for online gaming, working from home, and streaming in its annual awards. 1 The awards, which are based on a survey of almost 4,000 broadband users as well as speed data and deal analysis, also reveal the supplier offering the most value for money and the best customer service. Plusnet has come out on top in this year's awards, with 79% of users voting it as best broadband provider. Vodafone was named as second best provider, voted for by 78% of users, followed by Zen Internet and Sky Broadband (each with 77%). Plusnet, which is owned by BT and has over 1.5 million customers, was also named the most reliable provider and most user-friendly. Broadband Genie said customers "won't find any fancy frills with Plusnet, such as TV or phone bundles", adding that its "straightforward ' broadband only' deals are a real win." It also commended the internet supplier for having no set-up costs, no line rental, great support, and the "peace of mind that comes with good customer service if anything goes wrong". Virgin Media was another big winner, claiming the gong for fastest widely available provider and best provider for speed satisfaction, with average download speeds of 188Mbps. The network provider was also revealed to be the best for working from home, online gaming and streaming TV shows and films. Vodafone was voted best value for money and best social tariff provider. Meanwhile, NOW Broadband was named best provider for customer service, while Three won the award for fastest wireless provider. The survey also revealed the providers and areas where improvements need to be made, according to broadband customers. Households were overall least satisfied with their provider's customer service, with this area having the lowest average score in the survey. Direct Save was voted the worst broadband provider for customer service, with 58% of those surveyed saying they were satisfied with its customer service. Zen Internet also received a low score for its customer service, with 64% of users saying they were satisfied with it. Bill payers also felt they should be getting better value for money, with this category having the second-lowest average score. Virgin Media came out as the worst provider for value for money, followed by BT, TalkTalk and Sky Broadband. Calling on the regulator to ban mid-contract price rises, Broadband Genie expert Alex Tofts added: 'Customer service is an area which can make or break a positive experience with your internet provider. "Get it right, and customers feel valued and looked after. Get it wrong, and customers will be left frustrated, unheard and will want to look elsewhere. "We can only hope these big players will be pulling their socks up to improve their services. 'It's no surprise that in a year when customers are once again having to swallow hefty mid-contract price rises that they feel they're not getting value for money. "This is more evidence and only affirms our stance that Ofcom needs to ban mid-contract price rises.' Regulator Ofcom brought in new rules on January 17 that mean providers must set out what any mid-contract price rises will be in pound and pence at the beginning of a deal. Save on your broadband bill The rankings come as pensioners and those on government benefits like Universal Credit are being urged to check if they can slash their broadband and mobile bills by hundreds of pounds a year. Social tariffs are offered to those on government benefits like Universal Credit, and they can save you hundreds of pounds a year compared to standard deals. They often come with no exit fees - but you should always check the terms and conditions carefully. Virgin Media O2 recently urged older households to sign up to its broadband and mobile phone social tariffs, after a survey by the telecoms firm found almost half were unaware of the cheaper tariffs. Ofcom has a list on its website of all the firms offering social broadband and mobile phone tariffs here: CUT YOUR TELECOM COSTS SWITCHING contracts is one of the single best ways to save money on your mobile, broadband and TV bills. But if you can't switch mid-contract without facing a penalty, you'd be best to hold off until it's up for renewal. But don't just switch contracts because the price is cheaper than what you're currently paying. Take a look at your minutes and texts, as well as your data usage, to find out which deal is best for you. For example, if you're a heavy internet user, it's worth finding a deal that accommodates this so you don't have to spend extra on bundles or add-ons each month. In the weeks before your contract is up, use comparison sites to familiarise yourself with what deals are available. It's a known fact that new customers always get the best deals. Sites like MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch all help you customise your search based on price, allowances and provider. This should make it easier to decide whether to renew your contract or move to another provider. However, if you don't want to switch and are happy with the service you're getting under your current provider - haggle for a better deal. You can still make significant savings by renewing your contract rather than rolling on to the tariff you're given after your deal. If you need to speak to a company on the phone, be sure to catch them at the right time. Make some time to negotiate with your provider in the morning. This way, you have a better chance of being the first customer through on the phone, and the rep won't have worked tirelessly through previous calls which may have affected their stress levels. It pays to be polite when getting through to someone on the phone, as representatives are less inclined to help rude or aggressive customers. Knowing what other offers are on the market can help you to make a case for yourself to your provider. If your provider won't haggle, you can always threaten to leave. Companies don't want to lose customers and may come up with a last-minute offer to keep you. It's also worth investigating social tariffs. These deals have been created for people who are receiving certain benefits. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major broadband provider with 1.5million customers is AXING free service and introducing £15 charge
It's not the only service Plusnet has axed in recent months FEE HIKE Major broadband provider with 1.5million customers is AXING free service and introducing £15 charge PLUSNET is scrapping a free in-house service used by thousands of customers and replacing it with a paid subscription model. All Plusnet email customers are being progressively moved to a new provider called Greenby, but the company insists it's not cutting the service. 1 Plusnet will contact those affected with instructions when it's their turn to switch Credit: Alamy The move, which began last month, will see existing Plusnet email addresses and inboxes migrated to Greenby's platform by the end of November. The broadband provider said it's making the change to ensure its customers inboxes remain safe and secure. A spokesperson added: "We're ensuring our customers get the best possible experience." Plusnet will contact those affected with instructions when it's their turn to switch. After the switch, customers with Plusnet broadband at the time of migration will get two years of free email service with Greenby. However, customers without Plusnet broadband at the time of migration will only get 30 days of free service, after which they'll need to pay £15 per year to Greenby. Plusnet won't add any charges to customer bills. If a customer chooses to opt out, they'll lose access to their Plusnet email account. Greenby said: "We understand that many people rely on email addresses they've used for years, and it's important that those who want to keep using the service can do so with confidence in its reliability." We recommend using a free standalone email provider to avoid the hassle of changing email services if you switch broadband providers in the future. CHECK YOUR SPEED: Broadband Free email providers WORRIED about your email being tied to your internet provider? There are plenty of excellent free email services you can use instead. Here are a few popular choices: Examples include: Gmail: Google's offering is feature-rich, with plenty of storage and excellent spam filtering. Integrates seamlessly with other Google services. Google's offering is feature-rich, with plenty of storage and excellent spam filtering. Integrates seamlessly with other Google services. Microsoft's webmail service offers a clean interface and integrates with Microsoft Office apps. Good storage options are available. Microsoft's webmail service offers a clean interface and integrates with Microsoft Office apps. Good storage options are available. Yahoo! Mail: A long-standing provider with a large storage capacity. It includes a built-in news feed. A long-standing provider with a large storage capacity. It includes a built-in news feed. Proton Mail: For those prioritising privacy, Proton Mail offers end-to-end encryption. Based in Switzerland, it has strong data protection laws (free but limited storage). For those prioritising privacy, Proton Mail offers end-to-end encryption. Based in Switzerland, it has strong data protection laws (free but limited storage). GMX Mail: Offers a good balance of features and storage space. Includes a spam filter and virus protection. Last year, Plusnet told The Sun that it will no longer offer home phone services to existing customers once analogue services are switched off. This means that customers who still want landline phone service in the future will be forced to move to a different telephone company that offers a digital service. It comes as all copper-based phone lines will be switched off by the end of 2027. The telecom firm previously previously shut its TV service and has begun winding down its Plusnet Mobile operations. Plusnet Mobile stopped selling its own-brand sim-only mobile plans to new customers at the end of March 2023. At the beginning of May 2023, existing Plusnet Mobile customers received emails confirming that the network would close for good in June 2024.
