Plusnet Full Fibre 74 is the entry-level full fibre package in Plusnet’s range. It offers a 74Mbps average download speed and a 20Mbps average upload speed, suitable for one or two people mainly using broadband for television, browsing and work calls.
Large game downloads and frequent cloud backups are the main reasons to choose a faster package. For everyday viewing and calls, 74Mbps goes further than the package’s entry-level position suggests.
Plan details
| Feature | Plusnet Full Fibre 74 |
|---|---|
| Average download speed / average upload speed | 74Mbps / 20Mbps |
| Minimum guaranteed download speed | 40Mbps |
| Connection | Full fibre to the home using the Openreach network |
| Included router | Plusnet Hub Two, dual-band Wi-Fi 5 |
| Minimum term | 24 months |
| Setup | Free |
| Scheduled price rise | £4 a month each 31 March |
| Service | Broadband only |
| Security extras | SafeGuard website filters and 24 months of Plusnet Protect powered by Norton |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Enough bandwidth for a couple streaming and working online. | A 100GB game takes a calculated 3 hr 0 min 11 sec to download. |
| The Hub Two is well suited to the package’s speed. | Large backups take time at the 20Mbps average upload speed. |
| Later full fibre speed upgrades usually need no further installation. | No Reward Card with the current deal. |
What you can do with Full Fibre 74 speeds
Calls and streaming fit comfortably within this package when large transfers are kept under control. A backup app can use all the upload bandwidth available to it, so limit its speed during meetings.
| Activity | Example | Bandwidth or transfer time |
|---|---|---|
| Working while someone watches television | One 1080p Zoom call and one Netflix stream in 4K | 18Mbps of download bandwidth and 3.8Mbps of upload bandwidth in use |
| Backing up files during a meeting | A backup capped at 10Mbps alongside one 1080p Zoom call | 13.8Mbps of upload bandwidth in use, leaving 6.2Mbps |
| Sending a 2GB work folder | Transfer at the 20Mbps average upload speed | Calculated time: 13 min 20 sec |
The calculations assume the connection delivers the quoted average speeds. File sizes use decimal gigabytes; overheads and the receiving service can increase transfer times.
The average upload speed is the same as Virgin Media M125’s. M125’s faster average download speed does not shorten the calculated time needed to send that work folder.
Plusnet Hub Two router
The Hub Two has ample performance for Full Fibre 74. It uses Wi-Fi 5 on 5GHz and Wi-Fi 4 on 2.4GHz, with three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and a separate Gigabit WAN connection to the Openreach fibre box.
A compatible device receiving a good 5GHz signal can use the plan’s full download speed. Wi-Fi 6 is unnecessary simply to reach 74Mbps. Even a 100Mbps Ethernet adapter is fast enough for this package, although Gigabit equipment is useful for a later upgrade.
Coverage still matters. Keep the hub in an open position, away from thick walls and large metal objects. If one room struggles while a nearby wired computer performs normally, investigate the Wi-Fi coverage before changing broadband speed.
Switching to Plusnet Full Fibre 74
Full Fibre 74 connects through an Openreach optical network terminal (ONT), rather than a telephone socket. If a compatible ONT is already installed, Plusnet can normally arrange activation without a home visit.
For a first full fibre installation, an Openreach engineer brings the cable into your home and fits the ONT. The appointment usually takes a couple of hours. An adult aged 18 or over must be present, and the fibre box needs a nearby power socket.
When switching broadband provider, Plusnet coordinates the transfer through One Touch Switch. There is no Plusnet home phone service with this plan. Arrange any transfer of an existing landline number with a separate phone provider before your old service ends. Speak to the supplier of any phone-connected alarm before changing the connection.
Plusnet Full Fibre 74 for gaming
Full Fibre 74 can support online gaming. Several people playing online do not automatically need a faster package; downloading games, installing updates and running backups are the activities most likely to occupy the connection.
| Download size | Performance |
|---|---|
| 10GB update | 18 min 1 sec |
| 50GB game | 1 hr 30 min 5 sec |
| 100GB game | 3 hr 0 min 11 sec |
These times are calculated at 74Mbps, with no other activity using the connection. They exclude installation time. A 300Mbps connection reduces the calculated wait for a 100GB file to 44 minutes 27 seconds.
Ofcom’s March 2023 tests offer historical benchmarks for three different connection types.
| Broadband plan tested | Median average download speed | Median latency |
|---|---|---|
| BT 74Mbps full fibre | 74.6Mbps | 6.8ms |
| Plusnet 66Mbps part-fibre | 64.2Mbps | 10.1ms |
| Virgin Media 132Mbps cable | 136.3Mbps | 13.5ms |
The full fibre result comes from BT’s service, not a test of Plusnet Full Fibre 74. Your in-game ping also includes the journey to the game server. If a download or backup makes play less responsive, cap that transfer or pause it until the match finishes.
Plusnet Full Fibre 74 for streaming
Two Netflix streams in 4K need 30Mbps between them, using Netflix’s recommendation of 15Mbps per screen. At the plan’s 74Mbps average download speed, that leaves 44Mbps for other activity. Limit a game download to 25Mbps and 19Mbps remains available while both screens are playing.
NOW Ultra Boost needs a larger allowance: 30Mbps per device for 4K. Two such streams use 60Mbps, leaving 14Mbps. A third would take the requirement to 90Mbps, beyond this package’s average download speed. Choose a faster plan if that combination is a regular part of your household’s viewing.
Is Plusnet Full Fibre 74 any good?
Full Fibre 74 is sensible for a person or couple whose busiest evenings involve television, browsing and a work call. It can also handle occasional game downloads if you are happy to leave them running when the connection is otherwise quiet.
Move to a faster package when large transfers repeatedly get in the way of other people. Full Fibre 150 gives those activities nearly twice the download bandwidth. Frequent video uploads or whole-computer cloud backups deserve particular attention, because the 20Mbps average upload speed is this plan’s tighter limit.
If your existing part-fibre line already delivers close to 74Mbps, expect a modest change in download speed. The new fibre connection alone does not turn this into an ultrafast package.
Alternatives to Plusnet Full Fibre 74
| Alternative | Average download speed / average upload speed | Why compare it? |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Full Fibre 75 | 75Mbps / 16Mbps on Openreach | Similar download speed, with home phone and Sky TV options. |
| NOW Full Fibre 100 | 100Mbps / 18Mbps | Extra download bandwidth, with the service operated by Sky. |
| TalkTalk Full Fibre 65 | 65Mbps / 20Mbps on Openreach | Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi Hub 3. BT’s acquisition remains under regulatory review. |
| BT Fibre 2 | 74Mbps / 20Mbps; part-fibre | An option where Openreach full fibre is unavailable. Check the estimate for your copper line. |
| Vodafone Fibre 2 | 67Mbps / 18Mbps; part-fibre | Another part-fibre fallback, with a Wi-Fi 6 Power Hub. |
Plusnet Full Fibre 74 FAQs
Is Full Fibre 74 enough for two people working from home?
Yes, for calls, email and normal online office work. Two 1080p Zoom calls need 6Mbps of download bandwidth and 7.6Mbps of upload bandwidth. That leaves 12.4Mbps of upload bandwidth, so keep large backups limited while both calls are running.
Is Full Fibre 74 the same as Plusnet Fibre?
No. Full Fibre 74 uses fibre all the way to the ONT inside your home. Plusnet Fibre uses a part-fibre connection, with copper between the street cabinet and the home. The similar package speeds describe different connection types.
What should I do if Full Fibre 74 falls below 40Mbps?
Test one computer by Ethernet with other activity paused, then report persistent results below your contractual minimum to Plusnet. Keep your welcome email and test results. If Plusnet cannot restore the minimum within its 30-day repair period, the speed guarantee allows you to leave without an early termination charge.
Can I upgrade from Full Fibre 74 during my contract?
Yes. Plusnet permits changes between full fibre packages. It will confirm whether your remaining minimum term continues or a new one starts. The installed fibre connection can normally be reused, so a speed upgrade usually needs no engineer visit.
What happens to Full Fibre 74 when I move home?
Tell Plusnet at least four weeks before moving, and no more than 90 days in advance. It will check which service is available at the new address and confirm the contract arrangements. If Plusnet cannot offer any service at your new UK address, its terms allow you to end the agreement without early termination charges.