Plusnet Full Fibre 500 Broadband

Plusnet Full Fibre 500 cuts large download times by 40% compared with Full Fibre 300. It offers a 500Mbps average download speed and a 75Mbps average upload speed, giving families and sharers more bandwidth when game installations, work transfers and television viewing overlap.

Its main benefit is finishing large transfers sooner, particularly in homes where several people download files.

Plan details

Pros and cons

What you can do with Full Fibre 500 speeds

A large transfer does not need to take over the connection. You can reserve bandwidth for calls while a download runs, or share it between several large transfers.

These examples assume the connection delivers the quoted average speeds. Transfer calculations use decimal gigabytes. The service receiving your file, the computer and other activity can extend the time.

Plusnet Hub Two router

The Hub Two supports Full Fibre 500 through its three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. Its separate Gigabit WAN port connects to the Openreach fibre box. A computer or console with Gigabit Ethernet can use the package’s full download speed without a multi-gigabit adapter.

Wireless performance needs more attention at 500Mbps. The hub uses Wi-Fi 5 on 5GHz, and your device’s radio, distance and walls affect how much of the connection it can use. A result on a phone in an upstairs room can be much lower than a wired result at the hub. Compare both before deciding whether the broadband or the Wi-Fi coverage needs attention.

If you add your own mesh equipment, a Gigabit Ethernet connection between the hub and the first mesh unit avoids a slow wired link limiting the whole system.

Switching to Plusnet Full Fibre 500

An existing, compatible Openreach fibre connection can usually be activated remotely. If your home needs fibre installed, Plusnet arranges an Openreach visit to fit the cable and optical network terminal (ONT). Allow a couple of hours for the appointment, with someone aged 18 or over at home.

For a change of broadband provider at the same address, Plusnet uses One Touch Switch to coordinate the transfer. If you still use a landline number, discuss its transfer with a separate phone provider before placing your order. Plusnet Full Fibre 500 has no phone service, so the timing matters when keeping a number from an existing broadband and phone bundle.

Plusnet Full Fibre 500 for gaming

A faster package helps most when several consoles need an update before everyone can play.

Times are calculated at 500Mbps with the full speed available. Two consoles downloading together share that speed. Store servers, Wi-Fi and installation work on the console can add to the wait.

Ofcom’s March 2023 measurements give useful historical comparisons for full fibre, part-fibre and cable connections in this speed range.

These measurements describe the packages tested at that time. Your game server, route and activity at home affect ping. If responsiveness deteriorates when a transfer starts, reduce that transfer’s speed or pause it during play.

Plusnet Full Fibre 500 for streaming

Six Netflix streams in 4K need an allowance of 90Mbps between them. On a connection delivering 500Mbps, that leaves 410Mbps of download bandwidth. A household watching in several rooms can therefore keep a large download running as well.

For a mixed example, four Netflix 4K streams and two NOW Ultra Boost streams need 120Mbps, allowing 15Mbps per Netflix screen and 30Mbps per NOW device. A game download limited to 300Mbps brings the total to 420Mbps, leaving 80Mbps for other traffic. The practical reason to choose 500 over a slower package is keeping those transfers moving quickly alongside viewing.

Is Plusnet Full Fibre 500 any good?

Full Fibre 500 suits families and sharers who regularly download large games or work files while other people are streaming and making calls. The extra download bandwidth lets those transfers finish sooner without having to wait until everyone else has finished using the connection.

If your home mainly uses broadband for television, browsing and video calls, Full Fibre 150 can already be sufficient. Choose 500 when large downloads are a regular source of waiting.

The 75Mbps average upload speed is useful for work files and backups. If you send large video projects every day, compare plans with equal download and upload speeds. Check Wi-Fi coverage before upgrading, too: a faster broadband package does not strengthen the router’s wireless signal.

Alternatives to Plusnet Full Fibre 500

Plusnet Full Fibre 500 FAQs

Why does a Full Fibre 500 download show 60MB/s?

Broadband speeds use megabits per second, while many download apps show megabytes per second. Dividing 500Mbps by eight gives 62.5MB/s before overheads. A reading of 60MB/s can therefore be consistent with this package.

Will Plusnet replace my router when I upgrade to Full Fibre 500?

Full Fibre 500 uses the Hub Two. If you already have one, confirm whether a replacement is included in your upgrade. For a desktop or console, its Gigabit Ethernet ports are fast enough for the package.

Do I need an engineer to upgrade from Full Fibre 150 to 500?

A working Openreach full fibre connection can usually be upgraded remotely. You keep the fibre box and connect through the Hub Two. Plusnet confirms whether any visit is needed when processing the order.

Can I leave if Full Fibre 500 falls below 275Mbps?

Report a persistent shortfall after checking one computer connected directly to the hub by Ethernet. Use the minimum stated in your welcome email. Once a speed fault is reported, Plusnet has 30 days to put it right. Its guarantee gives you an exit without an early termination charge if it cannot do so. A wired speed test helps establish whether the fault is with the line or Wi-Fi.

What happens to Plusnet Protect after 24 months?

Plusnet Protect provides Norton security software for the first 24 months of the current deal. Activate it through your Plusnet account. Norton contacts you towards the end of that period about continuing the subscription. Review t