ISP PlusNet Boost Uploads Back to 9.5Mbps on Unlimited Fibre Broadband

After unceremoniously cutting the upload speeds of their ‘Unlimited Fibre‘ (up to 38Mbps FTTC download) broadband package from 19.5Mbps to just 1.9Mbps in 2015 (here), Plusnet has now decided to boost their upstream speeds part of the way back ‘up to’ 9.5Mbps.

The change is being introduced “at no additional cost” for both new and existing subscribers, although the latter will have to wait a few days longer in order to benefit as the UK ISP does not plan to begin the upgrade process until November 2017 (we suspect they’ll conduct this in phases).

The vast majority of users should have copper lines that can deliver the speed, but some may receive lower performance for all the usual reasons (distance, poor home wiring etc.).

Plusnet’s Statement

We know how important it is to be able to upload content quickly, especially to social media, so we’re making improvements and raising the maximum possible upload speed for customers on this product.

At the moment, customers on this product can get upload speeds of ‘up to 1.9Mbps’ but we’re increasing that to ‘up to 9.5Mbps’, at no additional cost. Your download speed will also remain the same, but you should benefit from faster speeds when uploading photos and video to the likes of Facebook or sending emails.

New Plusnet Unlimited Fibre customers will start getting the faster upload speed from the point of sign-up, and we’ll also start to move our existing ‘up to 38Mbps’ customers to the faster upload speed from November.

We suspect that the change may at least partly reflect Ofcom’s intention to cut the wholesale price of Openreach’s related 40/10 Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC / VDSL2) tier, which is currently still the subject of a consultation and some Government concerns (here). Assuming that proceeds then ISPs will suddenly find Openreach’s 40/10 tier to be more attractive than their slower 40/2 option that is normally a little cheaper.

Meanwhile Plusnet has also done a little video to help showcase the difference.