Plusnet Features
Great value award winning broadband
Plusnet broadband is renowned for great value broadband and award-winning customer service. Plusnet have been around for longer than you probably think. They started out in 1997. The Company is now owned by BT, but operates as an independent business. So, if you’re currently with BT and want to move to Plusnet, you’ll receive all the benefits of being a new customer whilst effectively receiving the same broadband at a discounted rate!
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Is Plusnet broadband as good as BT broadband?
Plusnet broadband is very good and their offers are very tempting. Plusnet is basically the cheap version of BT. Plusnet is for customers who want good phone and broadband service at a sensible price; whilst being happy to have a wi-fi router that is not the very latest model. Plusnet offer 3 broadband options: 10Mb standard broadband, 36Mb fibre broadband and a 66Mb fibre extra package. If you’re looking for a connection faster than that you would need to look at BT, Vodafone or Virgin Media. You can enter your postcode into our broadband availability checker to see what else is available in your area.
Plusnet Hub Two router review
Plusnet have recently started supplying the Hub Two router with any new fibre broadband contract. You will also receive the Hub Two router if you re-contract your existing fibre broadband, although you may need to request the upgrade. As shown in the the image above, the Hub Two is a re-branded version of the BT Smart Hub which retails at £200. This is an excellent router and an unusually high spec product for a budget broadband provider.
Despite this router being a rebranded BT Smart Hub 2, the user interface has been modified for Plusnet. This router is a significant mark up from the Hub One, largely down to the aerial improvements and internal filters which help block interference. The admin interface is uninspiring but adequate and intuitive. It also allows you to change the DNS setting, something that was previously not available on the Hub One. In the admin controls of the router under Advanced settings > Access control, you can block or limit internet time to any connected device. For some unknown reason the Hub Two only has 3 Lan ports on the rear, the fourth socket is reserved as a WAN port. The Hub two does not offer a separate guest Wi-Fi, and the dual band 2.5Ghz and 5Ghz work in sync and cannot be independently split, however there are options to switch off either network or change the operating channel. Overall, with the Hub Two router, Plusnet are punching above their weight for a low-cost broadband provider.
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Smart wireless feature – will scan to automatically find the least congested frequency |
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Modem type - ADSL, ADSL2+ and VDSL2 |
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Network protocol - IPV4 and IPV6 |
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Simultaneous dual-band |
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Supported frequencies - 2.4GHz (3x3 11b/g/n/ac MIMO), 5GHz (4x4 ac) Wave 2 |
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Data transfer rate - Max Physical interface rates are: 2.4GHz = 217Mbs | 5GHz = 1733Mbs |
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Beamforming (Implicit and Explicit Beamforming) |
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7 internal antennas (3x 2.4GHz, 4x 5GHz) |
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3 x 1 Gigabit ethernet ports 1x WAN port |
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USB 2.0 1 |
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1 x RJ45 |
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Encryption WPA2, WPA (Auto) |
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Built in 4G filter - Designed to block interference from adjacent 4G signals |
Plusnet Hub One router review
Since January 2022 if you order any standard ADSL broadband package from Plusnet, you’ll receive the Plusnet Hub One router, instead of its predecessor the Hub Zero. The Hub One is a rebranded version of the BT HomeHub 5A router (aka the Home Hub One). It supports dual band Wi-Fi 2.4Ghz 802.11 b/g/n and 5Ghz 802.11 a/n/ac and has 4x gigabit ethernet ports. There are various control features including: access control settings, Port forwarding options and Firewall settings; but, disappointingly Plusnet do not let you change the DNS on the router. This may not be something that the average user will be concerned about, but it will be frustrating for customers who do want to have router-level DNS control. Should you wish to upgrade to the latest BT smart hub, then you can as it’s compatible with Plusnet broadband. You can, of course, always choose to use your own router, if you prefer.
Do Plusnet use traffic management?
Each ISP (Internet Service Provider) has its own approach to managing data traffic during busy periods. i.e. prioritising video streaming and VoIP calls over uploading and downloading files. Plusnet stopped traffic management techniques in 2017. All Plusnet broadband options now come with “truly unlimited” downloads which means that they won’t artificially slow your broadband connection down during busy periods.
FREE additional features - Plusnet call protect
Plusnet Call Protect is a fantastic FREE feature which automatically diverts known nuisance calls to a junk voicemail box. You can also add your own additional numbers to the list. Call protect can also ban incoming International calls which are quite often nuisance related. If you have family and friends abroad you can add them to your VIP list to make sure they don't get diverted. Plusnet call protect is simple to set up and extremely effective at blocking unwanted callers.
Discontinued Plusnet Hub Zero router
Since January 2022 Plusnet no longer offer the Hub Zero. It was previously reserved for customers who signed up for standard ADSL broadband. This Hub Zero supports 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, it also has options to change firewall settings, DNS management, Port Forwarding and the option to control device access during selected times. It’s not going to give you the best Wi-Fi signal range, but for a basic router it still offers some level of user management. It’s very compact too, measuring just 140mm wide x 115mm high. The nine LEDs on the front offer you a clear indication of the status of the device.