How does fibre broadband work?
Fibre broadband uses a network of fibre optic cables that are capable of delivering high-speed data over long distances. This data travels down the fibre optic cables at the speed of light meaning you get a more reliable connection to the internet and faster download speeds.
Full Fibre broadband is sometimes called FTTP, which stands for Fibre to The Premises. It’s the UK’s latest, fastest, and most reliable fibre optic broadband. Using next generation technology Full Fibre connects straight to your home meaning you don’t need a phone line.
This game changing connection is completely fibre optic, meaning you can get ultrafast, reliable speeds up to 900Mb which is 25 times faster than standard fibre with a phone line. Full Fibre is made to power busy online homes, supporting Smart Home tech, working from home, streaming, and HD gaming.
Find out more about our Full Fibre broadband only packages
Fibre broadband without a landline
Fibre is a broadband only package. It uses a new connection, so it’s set up without a phone line service. Fibre optic cables run from the exchange to your street cabinet. Then here’s the clever bit. Copper cables carry the signal to your home but there’s no need for a landline. Instead the connection just plugs into your master socket. Ta dah!
This type of Fibre connection is sometimes called SoGEA, which stands for Single order Generic Ethernet Access. Confuses us too! That’s why we prefer to call it Fibre.
It’s a simple package that does what’s needed to keep you connected Think of it as fibre broadband without a landline with the fastest speed you can get.
With our Fibre package you could get average speeds of up to 66Mb. Great for streaming, gaming, all at one straightforward price.
Find out more about our Fibre without a landline
Fibre broadband and home phone packages
Standard broadband and fibre optic packages use traditional technology, which means a working phone line is needed to set up your connection.
Standard broadband uses an older technology called Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL). This type of connection only uses copper cables to carry the signals, so provides essential speeds. It’s a no-frills package, perfect for everyday online activities like browsing, shopping, and sharing.
Standard fibre optic is provided as Fibre to The Cabinet (FTTC). It differs from standard broadband and is sometimes described as part-fibre, as it uses a combination of fibre and copper cables to get you connected. Fibre optic cables from the BT Exchange carry signals to your street cabinet, and then copper cables are used to carry the signals to connect to your home using a landline.
What’s fibre broadband only?
Fibre optic broadband only packages don’t require a phone line to set up your connection. They’re simply broadband without a landline. They provide superfast reliable speeds.
Broadband only packages without a phone line
Full Fibre is the UK’s fastest and most reliable fibre optic broadband only with speeds up to 900Mb.
Find out more about Full Fibre broadband only packages
Fibre uses a new a simple connection and does what’s needed to keep you connected. It’s just one straightforward package giving you our fastest speed your home can get.
Find out more about our Fibre without a landline
What fibre broadband only packages can I get with Plusnet?
Full Fibre broadband
Plusnet Full Fibre is a broadband only package, so you don't need a phone line or pay for line rental.
Whether it’s just you online or the entire household using different devices in different rooms all at the same time, we’ve got a flexible range of speeds to suit every home.
- Full Fibre 74 – estimated download speed 74Mb
- Full Fibre 145 – estimated download speed 145Mb
- Full Fibre 300 – estimated download speed 300Mb
- Full Fibre 500 – estimated download speed 500Mb
- Full Fibre 900 – estimated download speed 900Mb
Full Fibre is new, so it’s not available everywhere just yet. If you can’t get it just yet, we’ll do the next best thing by giving you your fastest available speed.
Fibre without a landline
Fibre is a broadband only package. It uses a new connection, so it’s set up without a phone line service. It’s a simple package that does what’s needed to keep you connected. It gets even better. With one straightforward package, you get your best available speeds at one straightforward price.
To check which fibre optic broadband you can get at your address, just enter your details into our broadband postcode checker.
Are fibre packages with a phone line still available?
With the nationwide roll out of ultrafast Full Fibre, older services like landlines will soon be phased out. We’re getting ahead and going digital with straightforward broadband only packages.
Our packages with home phone use old landline technology, so will only be available in areas which haven’t yet been upgraded to new fibre connections. Find out more about changes to our packages with a home phone line.
If we can only offer you fibre packages with a phone line, you’ll see these in your deals:
Unlimited Fibre has average download speeds of 36Mb, and Unlimited fibre Extra provides extra download speeds up to 66Mb so is ideal for households with multiple devices.
To see what packages are available in your area pop your details into our broadband postcode checker.
Broadband speeds
Average speeds based on speed available to at least 50% of customers at peak time (8-10pm). Your actual speed will depend on your location and phone line (for standard broadband and fibre products) and your home wiring, WiFi connection and time of day (for all products). We'll provide you with a speed estimate when you check availability of our products. Find out why speeds vary.
How long does fibre broadband take to install?
Full Fibre installation
If you already have a Full Fibre connection and are just switching providers we can do this remotely, this usually only takes 3 working days. We'll confirm this once you're signed up and let you know if we need any further information.
If you're new to Full Fibre we'll need to install a new Full Fibre connection. This will require a visit to your property from one of our engineers. They can get you set up and activated on the same day and we can usually book you in within 3 to 10 working days. We'll take care of everything so you can sit back and enjoy a good old Yorkshire brew!
Fibre installation
Setting up your fibre broadband only service usually takes 5–10 working days. If you're switching over from another provider, there's a 10-working-day minimum period and you'll be able to choose an activation date as part of your order.
Most installations don’t need an engineer to visit your home. When we activate your service, we’ll email or text you to let know when everything’s up and running, so you can set up your router and get online.
If you do need an engineer to get you set up, we’ll let you know as part of your order.
Is Full Fibre and Fibre broadband available everywhere?
For Fibre or Fibre to The Cabinet to be available, a fibre optic cable must have been laid from the exchange to the cabinet nearest your home.
Full Fibre is the UK’s latest broadband technology. It’s so new it’s still being rolled out across the country so it’s not available everywhere just yet.
As part of the UK network upgrade programme, Openreach are continually adding new areas for Full Fibre and Fibre connections, so always keep checking what’s available where you live.
Depending on what’s available where you live, we’ll always offer you the product with the fastest speed you can get. Once you’re with us, we’ll always let you know when the latest connections have hit your street and you can upgrade at any time.
To check which broadband services you can get at your address, just enter your details into our broadband postcode checker.
Here’s the legal bit
You can see our full residential terms and conditions here.
The price for broadband, line rental, call plans and call charges will be increased each March from 2022 by the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation published by the Office for National Statistics in January of that year plus 3.9%. Other prices, content and terms may also change during your contract. See our CPI Plus 3.9% Guide.
Line rental is included in all our broadband packages, apart from our Full Fibre and Fibre packages. The standard line rental price is £28.63 a month and the standard line rental price, or where applicable the discounted line rental price, is included in the package price.
Unlimited Fibre Extra (18 and 24 month contracts)
Prices and terms are subject to change during your contract.
For new Plusnet customers that sign up for 18 or 24 months (as appropriate). Line rental is included in the price (line only, no calls included). Price from month 19 or 25 (as appropriate) currently £58.69 a month (incl. line rental). Compatible line required otherwise a £49.99 installation charge may apply (excluding any external construction charges). We'll include a wireless router. Outside of your 14 day cancellation period, if you choose to end your service within the minimum period, you will have to pay an early termination charge.
The date your broadband and line rental activates, or where your services do not activate at the same time, the service that activates first, will be used as your monthly billing date. If your broadband or line rental service are not activated at the same time, for the service that is activated at a later date, charges will be pro rated for the first month and any applicable discounts for that service will apply once the service starts.
Subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative. Exclusions and terms apply.
Unlimited Fibre (18 and 24 month contracts)
Prices and terms are subject to change during your contract.
For new Plusnet customers that sign up for 18 or 24 months (as appropriate). Line rental is included in the price (line only, no calls included). Price from month 19 or 25 (as appropriate) currently £51.54 a month (incl. line rental). Compatible line required otherwise a £49.99 installation charge may apply (excluding any external construction charges). We'll include a wireless router. Outside of your 14 day cancellation period, if you choose to end your service within the minimum period, you will have to pay an early termination charge.
The date your broadband and line rental activates, or where your services do not activate at the same time, the service that activates first, will be used as your monthly billing date. If your broadband or line rental service are not activated at the same time, for the service that is activated at a later date, charges will be pro rated for the first month and any applicable discounts for that service will apply once the service starts.
Subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative. Exclusions and terms apply.
Unlimited Broadband (18 and 24 month contracts)
Prices and terms are subject to change during your contract.
For new Plusnet customers that sign up for 18 or 24 months (as appropriate). Line rental is included in the price (line only, no calls included). Price from month 19 or 25 (as appropriate) currently £44.35 a month (incl. line rental). Compatible line required otherwise a £49.99 installation charge may apply (excluding any external construction charges). We'll include a wireless router. Outside of your 14 day cancellation period, if you choose to end your service within the minimum period, you will have to pay an early termination charge.
The date your broadband and line rental activates, or where your services do not activate at the same time, the service that activates first, will be used as your monthly billing date. If your broadband or line rental service are not activated at the same time, for the service that is activated at a later date, charges will be pro rated for the first month and any applicable discounts for that service will apply once the service starts.
Subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative. Exclusions and terms apply.
Fibre (12, 18 and 24 month contracts)
Prices and terms are subject to change during your contract.
For new Plusnet customers that sign up for 12, 18 or 24 months (as appropriate). Price from month 13, 19 or 25 (as appropriate) currently £32.37 per month. Compatible line required otherwise a £49.99 installation charge may apply (excluding any external construction charges). We'll include a wireless router. Outside of your 14 day cancellation period, if you choose to end your service within the minimum period, you will have to pay an early termination charge.
Subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative. Exclusions and terms apply.
12 month contracts are not available online, but they are available through our contact centre. Please call us on 0330 1239 123 and we will be happy to help.
Full Fibre Broadband (12, 18 and 24 month contracts)
Prices and terms are subject to change during your contract.
For new Plusnet customers that sign up for 12, 18 or 24 months (as appropriate). Price from month 13,19 or 25 (as appropriate) currently: Full Fibre 74 - £37.03, Full Fibre 145 - £43.20, Full Fibre 300 - £49.38, Full Fibre 500 - £58.02, Full Fibre 900 - £67.89. Compatible line required. Otherwise an installation is required. We'll include a wireless router. Outside of your 14 day cancellation period, if you choose to end your service within the minimum period, you will have to pay an early termination charge.
Subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative. Exclusions and terms apply.
Openreach Survey: In some cases Openreach have to carry out a survey before they can connect a home to Full Fibre. To do this they may need access to your property. If they do we'll contact you to arrange a suitable time. If additional work is required, this may take longer than the initial set-up time provided and there could be additional costs. Our team of specialists will contact you to confirm what additional work is needed and how long this will take, usually within four weeks from the date your order was placed. If you don't want to proceed with your upgrade based on this, you will be able to cancel your order and no charges will be applied to your account.
12 month contracts are not available online, but they are available through our contact centre. Please call us on 0330 1239 123 and we will be happy to help.
Unlimited Broadband (no contract)
Prices and terms are subject to change during your contract.
For new Plusnet customers that sign up for a 30-day rolling contract. Line rental is included in the price (line only, no calls included). Price from month 13 currently £44.35 a month (incl. line rental). Compatible line required otherwise a £49.99 installation charge may apply (excluding any external construction charges). We'll include a wireless router. You may terminate your services at any time without having to pay an early termination charge. Outside your 14 day cancellation period, you'll have to give at least 14 days' notice.
The date your broadband and line rental activates, or where your services do not activate at the same time, the service that activates first, will be used as your monthly billing date. If your broadband or line rental service are not activated at the same time, for the service that is activated at a later date, charges will be pro rated for the first month and any applicable discounts for that service will apply once the service starts.
Subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative. Exclusions and terms apply.
Existing customers
Please see our price guide, log into your account in the Member Centre or call us on 0800 073 1120 to discuss your contract.
Speeds
Φ Broadband speed is described as 'average download speed of 10Mb', as it is based on speed available to at least 50% of customers at peak time (8-10pm). Your actual speed will be dependent on your location, broadband line, home wiring, WiFi connection and time of day. Find out why speeds vary. Check your speed and products available at your location via 'check availability' on our home page.
† Fibre broadband speed is described as 'average download speed of 66Mb' and 'average upload speed of 18Mb' on Unlimited Fibre Extra. 'Average download speed of 36Mb' and 'average upload speed of 9Mb' on Unlimited Fibre and 'average download speed of 50Mb' and 'average upload speed of 9Mb' on Fibre. It is based on speed available to at least 50% of customers at peak time (8-10pm). Your actual speed will be dependent on your location, broadband line, home wiring, WiFi connection and time of day. Find out why speeds vary. Check your speed and products available at your location via 'check availability' on our home page.
Ө Up to 6x faster: based on a comparison between the average Unlimited Fibre Extra download speeds with the average Unlimited Broadband speeds. The actual speed you'll get depends on your location, broadband line, home wiring, WiFi connection and time of day. Find out why speeds vary. Check your speed and products available at your location via 'check availability' on our home page.
Broadband Extras
Plusnet Safeguard
Included with all of our broadband packages, Plusnet Safeguard filters inappropriate web content for your household. Further information can be found here.
Plusnet Protect powered by Norton™
Our security package protects you from online threats. Charges apply for Unlimited Fibre broadband customers. Further information can be found here.
Software Support for Plusnet's Broadband Devices
For further information on software support and how to report software vulnerabilities please refer to Software Support and Reporting Security Issues.
Evening & Weekend UK & Mobile calls:
Evening & Weekend calls: Calls of up to an hour to UK landlines beginning with 01, 02, 03, 0845 and 0870 numbers made Monday-Friday 7pm to 7am and any time Saturday or Sunday (except calls to indirect access numbers (which include calling cards) and dial-up internet access). Calls must be started and finished within these times to be inclusive (non-chargeable). A fair usage limit of 150 calls or 1000 minutes a month (whichever is reached first) applies to calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers (if you exceed this limit, we have the right to charge you for further calls made, suspend and/or terminate your service in accordance with our terms and conditions).
Mobile calls: Calls to UK mobiles and 070 personal numbering services made Monday-Friday 7pm to 7am and any time Saturday or Sunday. Calls must be started and finished within these times to be inclusive (non-chargeable). A fair usage limit of 1000 minutes a month applies (if you exceed this limit, we have the right to charge you for further calls made, suspend and/or terminate your service in accordance with our terms and conditions). Hang up and re-dial before 60 minutes and you won't be charged. Some 07 numbers do not constitute mobile numbers and may not be included as part of an inclusive mobile package.
Unlimited UK & Mobile calls:
Anytime calls: Calls of up to an hour to UK landlines beginning with 01, 02, 03, 0845 and 0870 numbers at any time (except calls to indirect access numbers (which include calling cards) and dial-up internet access). Calls must be started and finished within these times to be inclusive (non-chargeable). A fair usage limit of 150 calls or 1000 minutes a month (whichever is reached first) applies to calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers (if you exceed this limit, we have the right to charge you for further calls made, suspend and/or terminate your service in accordance with our terms and conditions).
Mobile calls: Calls to UK mobiles and 070 personal numbering services made at any time. Calls must be started and finished within these times to be inclusive (non-chargeable). A fair usage limit of 2000 minutes a month applies (if you exceed this limit, we have the right to charge you for further calls made, suspend and/or terminate your service in accordance with our terms and conditions). Hang up and re-dial before 60 minutes and you won't be charged. Some 07 numbers do not constitute mobile numbers and may not be included as part of an inclusive mobile package.
Anytime International 300:
Anytime calls: Calls of up to an hour to UK landlines beginning with 01, 02, 03, 0845 and 0870 numbers at any time (except calls to indirect access numbers (which include calling cards) and dial-up internet access). Calls must be started and finished within these times to be inclusive (non-chargeable). A fair usage limit of 150 calls or 1000 minutes a month (whichever is reached first) applies to calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers (if you exceed this limit, we have the right to charge you for further calls made, suspend and/or terminate your service in accordance with our terms and conditions).
25% discount to top 35 international destinations: (Anytime International 300) Get a 25% discount on chargeable calls to all countries listed in our top 35 international destinations. For more information see our tariffs guide.
300 Anytime minutes: (Anytime International 300) Means 300 inclusive minutes to USA mobiles, Canada mobiles and all landlines listed in our top 35 international destinations. Hang up and re-dial before 60 minutes and you won't be charged.
Other call information:
Mobile minutes: Are available to Line Only and the Anytime International 300 call plan and adds 100 inclusive minutes to UK mobile numbers and 070 personal numbering services at any time. Hang up and re-dial before 60 minutes and you won't be charged. Some 07 numbers do not constitute mobile numbers and may not be included as part of an inclusive mobile package.
Service calls outside of your inclusive minutes: The charge for calls to service numbers beginning 084, 087, 09 and 118 consists of a 9.58p per minute access charge from Plusnet, plus a service charge set by the company you called. For more information visit www.plus.net/ukcalling.
Calls to Plusnet Support and other Plusnet line rental customers are included in all line rental packages. Calls to other Plusnet phone customers are included for the first hour. Hang up and re-dial before 60 minutes and you won't be charged.
For more information on our landline tariffs, see our guide here.
For more information on call rates for service numbers, see our guide here.
Phone Line Extras
Voicemail
1571 Voicemail: Included as standard, our answer phone-style feature takes messages when you can't get to the phone.
Voicemail Extra: This advanced voicemail service lets you record your own greeting, store up to 30 messages and listen to them when you're not at home. Voicemail Extra costs £3 a month. Further information about Voicemail Extra can be found here.
Caller Display
See the number of the person who is calling you (you'll need a phone that supports this service). Further information about Caller Display can be found here. Subject to availability.
Plusnet Call Protect
Included in all line rental packages, this blocks nuisance calls on your landline and sends them straight into your junk voicemail. Further information about Plusnet Call Protect can be found here. Subject to availability.
EE SIM plan: 30 day minimum term. Subject to terms and credit check. Monthly charges assume online billing. You will not get 5G speeds using a 4G phone. Allowances for use in UK (excluding Jersey, Guernsey & Isle of Man) and Republic of Ireland. A daily charge applies to use allowances in the EU/EEA unless you have an add-on or Inclusive Extra that includes EU Roaming. See roaming costs page for countries and details. 50GB data fair use policy applies outside the UK. See ee.co.uk/terms for countries and details. Deposit needed for roaming in limited circumstances. Use your allowance to call/text UK mobiles, and landlines starting 01, 02 and 03 when in UK & Republic of Ireland. Some numbers aren’t included: calls to 070 numbers cost up to 5p/min and calls to 084, 087, 09 & 118 cost 83p/min plus the applicable service charge. See ee.co.uk/prices for the EE Price Guide for a detailed list of service charges and other charges outside of your allowance. Personal use only. Essentials SIM: Includes speeds capped at 100Mbps, Data Gifting and Stay Connected Data.
Stay Connected Data: If you have a capped data allowance (i.e. not an unlimited data plan) once you have used up your monthly data allowance your speed will be capped at 0.5Mbps. You will regain access to your standard plan speeds upon (1) renewal of your monthly plan allowance, (2) by buying one of our data add-ons, or (3) if you are gifted data by someone else in your family account. Once the data add-on or gifted data runs out, you will return to the capped speed until your monthly plan allowance has renewed. Not available with No Frills plans.;
Data gifting: Account holder only can gift between pay monthly plans on the same account in increments of 500MB. Unlimited data plans can gift up to 100GB. Data usage on an unlimited data plan will be deducted from giftable allowance. No gifting to/from Smart Watches, 4G Home, 5G Home or 30-day 4G WiFi or 5G WiFi plans. Data not used in a month does not roll over, allowances are set back to zero at the start of each month. If you are outside your price plans standard countries when your monthly allowances refresh on your bill date the main account holder will not be able to gift data until you return to the UK/EU. Data can only be used in accordance with the plan terms applicable to the receiving line.