Guide to Low Cost Areas

1. Introduction

Back in May 2008 Ofcom announced the deregulation of 70% of the UK's broadband market. This meant that the rules which controlled the price of BT Wholesale services could be removed.

Telephone exchanges are now categorised according to the number of broadband providers available and the amount of properties they serve.

These categories are called Markets. There are 4 Market categories - Market 1, Market 2, Market 3 and Hull area.

Use the Plusnet Usertools Exchange Checker to find out the category your exchange is in.

2. What's a Low Cost Area?

Market 3 exchanges are classed as Low Cost Areas.

The increased competition in Market 3 exchanges allows us to offer better prices on our broadband packages in these areas.

3. Which category is your exchange in?

Enter your number in the Plusnet Usertools Exchange Checker.

Your Market Area is shown in the top right-hand corner (as shown in the picture below).

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4. How much is Broadband in each Market Area?

The below you can see the prices for our broadband products in each Market Area.

When signing up we'll confirm the price you'll pay after we've checked your telephone number.

Residential broadband products

Residential product prices include VAT.

Business broadband products

Business product prices exclude VAT.

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5. Moving to a different area

If you move property into a different Market Area your broadband subscription payments won't change. So for example, if you were to move from a Market 3 to Market 1 area you'd carry on paying the Market 3 price.

6. Ofcom Market Area information

You can find out more information about the Market Areas and the deregulation of the UK broadband market by reading Ofcom's PDF statement.

This page last updated 7th October 2009