- Help & Support home
- Support Pages
- Help Assistant
- Service Status
- Customer Support Stats
- Plusnet Code of Practice
- Introduction
- What's a Low Cost Area?
- Which category is your exchange in?
- How much is Broadband in each area?
- What's a 'Price Beat' price?
- Moving to a different area
- Ofcom Market Area information
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 categorised according to both 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.
On 12th July 2011, our market definitions changed so that pricing for market 2 reflected that of market 3, allowing even more people joining us to get our lowest prices.
| Exchange Category | This means |
|---|---|
| Market 1 |
|
| Market 2 |
|
| Market 3 |
|
| Hull area |
|
Use the Plusnet Usertools Exchange Checker to find out the category your exchange is in.
[Top]2. What's a Low Cost Area?
Market 2 and Market 3 exchanges are classed as Low Cost Areas for residential accounts.
Market 3 exchanges are classed as Low Cost Areas for business accounts.
The increased competition in these exchanges allows us to offer better prices on our broadband packages in these areas.
(Before 12th July 2011, we only considered market 3 exchanges as low cost areas for residential accounts.)
[Top]3. Which category is your exchange in?
Enter your number or postcode in the Plusnet Usertools Exchange Checker.
Your Market Area is shown in the top right-hand corner (as shown in the picture below).
4. How much is Broadband in each area?
Check the tables below to see the prices for our broadband products in each 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.
| Product | Exchange Category | Cost for first 3 months | Cost after 3 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plusnet Value | Market 1 | £6.49 | £12.99 |
| Markets 2 & 3 | £6.49 | £6.49 | |
| Plusnet Extra | Market 1 | £11.49 | £17.99 |
| Markets 2 & 3 | £11.49 | £11.49 |
Business broadband products
Business product prices exclude VAT.
| Product | Telephone Exchange Area | 12 month contract | 24 month contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Option 1 | Market 1 & 2 | £16.00 | £15.00 |
| Market 3 | £12.00 | £10.00 | |
| Business Option 2 | Market 1 & 2 | £26.00 | £23.00 |
| Market 3 | £18.00 | £15.00 | |
| Business Option 3 | Market 1 & 2 | £35.00 | £32.00 |
| Market 3 | £28.00 | £25.00 |
5. What was a 'Price Beat' price?
For customers who joined before 12th July 2011, we offered a 'Price Beat' price in some areas, making sure we offered the lowest cost standalone broadband package (our lowest priced option compared to others).
We also made sure our Extra and Pro prices were lower in those areas too.
See our comparison tool to see what price you'll pay in your area.
6. What if I move to a different area?
Residential Customers
Your monthly bill will change to match the price for your new area on your next billing date.
Business Customers
Your monthly bill will remain the same until the end of your current contract. Once your contract expires your bill will change to match the contracted price for your area.
[Top]7. 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.
[Top]This page last updated 12th July 2011
