Plusnet Full Fibre 500 Broadband – Is it any good?

Plusnet Full Fibre 500 is one of the provider’s ultrafast packages, designed for homes that want plenty of headroom for streaming, gaming, and heavy online use. It offers an estimated average download speed of 500Mb and an upload speed of 75Mb.

Plusnet also promise a minimum guaranteed download speed of 275Mb, which is more than enough to keep a busy household running smoothly even at peak times.

This is a broadband-only service, so there’s no phone line attached. If you currently have a landline, it will be switched off once the service is installed.

The Plusnet Hub Two router comes included. It’s a dual-band Wi-Fi router with gigabit ports, capable of handling the higher speeds this plan delivers. You also get SafeGuard parental controls, which let you manage access to websites, and Plusnet Protect powered by Norton, which adds basic security and antivirus protection.

Installation is free, with no activation fee to pay. A full fibre engineer visit will be arranged if your home isn’t already connected.

Pros and cons

Pros

• 500Mb average download speed is ultrafast and covers almost any household
• Good 75Mb upload speed for video calls, cloud storage, and file transfers
• Minimum guarantee of 275Mb adds reassurance
• Free installation with no upfront cost
• Hub Two router and security tools included
• No phone line required

Cons

• 24-month term is long if you prefer flexibility
• Customer support reputation is mixed compared with some premium providers
• Broadband-only service, so no landline option
• Faster speeds (gigabit and above) are available from rivals in some areas

Special offers

Plusnet often run sign-up deals alongside Full Fibre 500. The most common is a prepaid reward card, sometimes worth up to £140 or more. It works like a Mastercard you can spend online or in shops. You need to claim it after your broadband is activated, usually by filling in a short form sent to your email. If you forget to claim within the time limit, the offer lapses.

There’s also no activation or setup fee.

These offers don’t reduce the monthly bill, but they add to the overall value, especially if you time your sign-up with a reward card promotion.

Plusnet Hub Two router

The Full Fibre 500 package includes the Plusnet Hub Two router. It’s designed to handle higher speeds, with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections. If you want the full 500Mb speeds, a wired connection is best, but the Wi-Fi coverage is more than enough for everyday use across phones, laptops and smart devices.

Set-up is hassle-free: once the engineer installs the fibre terminal, you just plug in the router and connect. For most homes, the Hub Two gives reliable coverage without extra gear, although in bigger houses or ones with thick walls you might still want to add a mesh Wi-Fi system for the best results.

Who it’s best for

Plusnet Full Fibre 500 is aimed at larger households or those with heavy internet use. If you’ve got several people streaming in 4K, someone gaming online, and others on Zoom calls or working with cloud apps, 500Mb ensures no one struggles for bandwidth.

It’s also a good fit for households with multiple smart devices and connected gadgets running at once. The 75Mb upload speed makes it well suited to remote workers, streamers, or anyone who regularly sends large files.

If you don’t use a home phone, the broadband-only setup is straightforward. Families may also appreciate the parental controls included with the plan.

It’s probably more than you need if you live alone or in a small household with light internet use. In those cases, Plusnet’s 145Mb or 300Mb packages are usually better value.

Is Plusnet full fibre 500 any good?

With Plusnet Full Fibre 500 (FTTP), you get ultrafast, reliable speeds that don’t dip in the evenings the way part-fibre connections often do.

The guaranteed minimum speed of 275Mb is significantly faster compared with other mid-to-high-tier packages. Even if your line runs below the average 500Mb, you’ll still get a very usable connection. Upload speeds of 75Mb are also much better than what you’d get with Virgin Media’s equivalent cable package, making this a better choice if you need to send data as well as download it.

Customer service is the area where Plusnet is more mixed. Ofcom data shows they perform better than Virgin Media for complaints, but not as well as Sky or BT. Some users praise the value, while others have reported slow or unhelpful responses when things go wrong.

So, in terms of speed and performance, this plan is excellent. The main drawbacks are customer support and the price rises over the contract.

Extras

Full Fibre 500 also comes with a few added features. SafeGuard parental controls are included, which let you filter websites and set restrictions for different devices. This can be switched on or off through your Plusnet account and is handy for families with younger children.

You also get Plusnet Protect powered by Norton. It’s basic antivirus software that provides some extra security against malware and phishing attempts. It’s not a replacement for more advanced antivirus tools, but it adds a safety net without needing to buy something separately.

Together these extras don’t change the speed of your connection, but they do make the package more rounded and family-friendly.

Alternatives

• Plusnet Full Fibre 900 – if you want the fastest speeds Plusnet offer. It’s ideal for tech-heavy households or those who want the most future-proof option.
• Virgin Media M500 – similar speeds on downloads, but weaker uploads compared with Plusnet, which makes a difference for video calls and large file transfers.
• Vodafone Full Fibre 500 – often cheaper than Plusnet, with symmetric speeds (500Mb download and 500Mb upload) in CityFibre areas.
• Sky Full Fibre 500 – competitive on price and often bundled with TV services, though upload speeds are usually lower.
• Hyperoptic or Community Fibre – if available, these providers offer symmetric speeds and shorter contracts, making them more flexible for heavy users.

Our verdict

Plusnet Full Fibre 500 gives you ultrafast broadband at a fair monthly price. The speed is more than enough for streaming, gaming, remote work, and large families all using the internet at once. The free setup and included router make it easy to get started, while the reward offers (when available) add even more value.

The main negatives are the long contract, the yearly price hikes, and a customer service record that isn’t as strong as some smaller altnet providers.

If you want ultrafast fibre without paying gigabit prices, Plusnet Full Fibre 500 is a very good option. It’s especially strong for households that upload as much as they download, since the 75Mb upload speed beats many competitors.

FAQ

Is 500Mb too much for a normal household?
For smaller homes, yes. If only two or three people use the internet casually, 500Mb is more than you’ll ever need. But for big families or house-shares with lots of 4K streaming, gaming, and work calls, 500Mb makes sure no one fights for bandwidth.

What upload speed comes with this plan?
Plusnet Full Fibre 500 includes about 75Mb upload. That’s much stronger than entry-level packages and enough to run several video calls at once, upload large files, or keep cloud storage in sync.

How does the 275Mb guarantee work?
Plusnet promise your connection won’t fall below 275Mb. If it does and they can’t fix it, you may be able to leave your contract without penalty. It’s a higher safety net than you’ll find on lower-tier plans.

Is this speed useful for gamers?
Yes. Game downloads that used to take hours will finish much quicker. The low latency of fibre also means smoother online play, while the 75Mb upload makes livestreaming possible without stutter.

Do I need to upgrade my devices to use 500Mb?
Not necessarily. Most modern laptops, phones and consoles can use the speed, but to hit the full 500Mb you’ll need gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 6. Older devices will connect fine, just not at the maximum rate.

What makes 500Mb different from the 900Mb plan?
It’s cheaper while still giving you more than enough capacity for most households. Unless you’re running multiple 4K streams and big media uploads daily, 500Mb is a better balance of price and performance.

Is Plusnet 500Mb reliable for home working?
Yes. Several people can work from home at once without slowdown. The strong upload speed means sending large design files, videos or backups is far quicker than on mid-tier plans.

Can I get TV or phone service with this plan?
No. It’s broadband-only, so you’ll need to use separate services for TV or rely on streaming platforms.