THE exact date a broadband provider will close for good has been revealed.
The internet provider, operated by Plusnet, stopped accepting new customers in 2022 after it confirmed it was planning to shut, but has been unable to confirm a final closing date – until now.
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Frantic customers have been desperately trying to pin down the final date the broadband service will run ever since the planned closure was announced.
John Lewis Broadband has now revealed to The Sun it will switch off its service for good on May 28 this year.
While the provider has been contacting customers to encourage them to switch providers since October 2022, some are still yet to move, leaving them at risk of being cut off when the service closes.
At the time it announced its closure, it is understood that John Lewis Broadband had thousands of broadband and email customers.
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The provider refused to confirm exactly how many users it had when asked by The Sun.
However, a 2023 survey by comparison site Broadband Genie found it provided broadband for around 0.9% of the market, equivalent to around 25,000 customers based on Ofcom data.
Over 700 users have left the provider reviews on website Trustpilot, where it holds a poor average rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars.
The provider has now urged customers to switch over to Plusnet, which provides John Lewis Broadband, or choose a new provider.
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It is understood its remaining customers were contacted towards the end of March informing them of the confirmed closure date.
A spokesperson for John Lewis Broadband said: “We announced the closure of our service in October 2022, and have since contacted customers on multiple occasions reminding them to transfer their service.
“The majority have already switched to Plusnet and we’re actively contacting the small number remaining – ahead of a full closure on 28 May 2024.”
John Lewis Broadband terminated its email service for customers with a John Lewis, Waitrose or Greenbee account who had already switched providers on June 30 last year.
Anyone who hadn’t set up a new email address and moved important correspondence over by that date would have lost those emails for good.
Remaining broadband customers will have their final bill generated on their usual billing date in April and their service will end on their billing date in May, up to the final closure date.
So, if a customer’s billing date is on the 5th of each month, their service will end on May 5.
It is understood there are no plans to relaunch the John Lewis Broadband service in future.
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How do I transfer my John Lewis broadband to Plusnet?
If you want to transfer your John Lewis broadband to Plusnet, you can sign up online and move your account yourself.
You just need to enter your postcode and phone number into the website to see what deals you can get and then select the one you want.
Alternatively, call 0800 328 0674 to switch over the phone.
Moving over to Plusnet should take around 10-14 days, according to its website, so factor this in when you decide to switch.
Once you switch providers you will no longer be able to access your old John Lewis emails, so ensure anything important is sent over to a new email address before you transfer.
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You may need a new broadband router when you switch depending on the package you choose.
If you want to move to a different provider, make sure to shop around on a comparison site like Uswitch before moving to get the best deal.
How to get cheaper broadband if you’re on Universal Credit
MANY people in the UK are unable to afford internet access – here is help available if you’re struggling to make ends meet while claiming Universal Credit..
Several internet companies provide special discounted rates for customers who are on Universal Credit or other benefits.
BT offers a basic phone and broadband package for households that claim certain benefits.
You could be eligible to get the cheaper broadband deal if you get one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pensions Credit (Guaranteed Credit)
- Employment and Support Allowance (Income related)
- Universal Credit (and are on zero earnings)
The monthly phone line rental costs £5.16, and includes free weekend calls for up to an hour to 0845 and 0870 numbers.
It also comes with a call allowance of £1.50 and a £10 monthly price cap.
You can add broadband to the BT Basic line for £10.07.
The price cap means that no matter how many calls you make, the most you’ll pay each month is £15.16 or £20.07 with broadband, if you keep with the eligible calls included within the price cap.
If you make fewer calls it will be less and you can choose to have either monthly or quarterly bills.
Virgin Media also offers a cheaper deal for people on Universal Credit.
However, the £15 a month Virgin Essentials offer is only available to existing customers – but it could be a good option if you’re already signed up and are looking to reduce your costs.
It is a 30-day rolling contract so you can switch back to your usual service when and if you’re ready to.
The broadband deal doesn’t come with a phone line, and there’s no way of adding one, so this probably isn’t the right deal for you if you need a landline for emergencies.
Other cheaper options include Hyperoptic’s Fair Fibre plan, which offers benefits claimants money off broadband packages, and customers in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire could get a good deal with KCOM.
It’s important to shop around when you’re looking for a new broadband deal as other internet packages could be more suited to your needs.
You should use a price comparison website to find the best fit for your budget.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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