Posted: 28th Mar, 2011 By: MarkJ
Consumer ISP PlusNet UK, which pledges that its "
broadband won't be beat on price", has moved to take on its parent company BT (
Infinity) by launching a range of
affordable superfast broadband packages using 'up to' 40Mbps capable FTTC technology (
Plusnet Fibre). Package prices start from just £16.49 per month.
Recent customer trials of PlusNet's fibre products have apparently seen an overwhelming change in users’ speed capabilities, with 74% of customers who previously experienced speeds of 2-12Mbps saying they now experience
speeds of 30Mbps or more. In addition,
75% of trialists have increased internet usage since moving to'
Plusnet Fibre', with 14% reporting a combined internet usage of 10-15 hours a day.
Jamie Ford, PlusNet's CEO, said:
"Plusnet Fibre is the next generation of broadband and 96% of our trialists say they would recommend the service to friends. This will really benefit households where there are several users and with increased speeds, it makes it possible to download a 30 minute TV show in less time than it takes to make the cup of tea to enjoy with it as you sit down to watch."
The new service comes in two flavours,
Plusnet Value Fibre (£16.49/month) and
Plusnet Extra Fibre (£21.49/month), which have been designed to cater for lite and heavy users respectively. Customers who also take a phone service (line rental costs +£11.99/month) with the product before 30th June 2011 will enjoy
free set-up.
Plusnet Value Fibre
• Up to 40Mb/s speeds
• 40GB usage allowance (Free between midnight and 8am)
• Free easy setup wireless router
• 18 month contract
• Yorkshire-based call centre
• McAfee security available
Plusnet Extra Fibre
• Up to 40Mb/s speeds
• 120GB usage allowance (Free between midnight and 8am)
• Free easy setup wireless router
• 18 month contract
• Yorkshire-based call centre
• Free McAfee security
Those not taking a phone line service from PlusNet will have to pay a
set-up fee of £50 for the standalone deal, which also covers an engineer's visit to your home and the provision of a new fibre-capable router. Plusnet Fibre is
available for pre-registration from today.
The only other FTTC offering ISP to even come close to PlusNet's new value deal is BT itself, which has a
40GB usage package with
free weekend calls for £18/month (£7.50/mth for the first 3 months). However you have to take line rental from £10/month and there's also a £25 Infinity activation fee to pay. PlusNet is of course owned by BT Retail.