Plusnet Mobile closing down – what to do if you’re affected

Plusnet Mobile has announced it is closing down and will no longer be offering Plusnet SIM-only plans, meaning all customers will need to switch mobile providers in order to stay connected to a mobile network. It has not been announced exactly when the Plusnet SIMs will stop working as Plusnet says it will shut down in the 'coming months', but at present, customers can continue to use the network as normal. Plusnet is owned by the BT group, along with EE, and existing Plusnet Mobile customers looking to switch to EE can benefit from exclusive deals.

In this article, we look at who is affected by Plusnet Mobile's closure, what to do if you are affected and how to switch mobile providers.

Who is affected by Plusnet Mobile closing?

As Plusnet Mobile only offered SIM-only deals, all customers with a Plusnet Mobile SIM will be affected by the closure and will need to switch network providers to continue using their phones to make calls and access a 4G and 5G network. The exact date of the closure is yet to be announced and so for now, you can continue to use your Plusnet SIM as normal. Plusnet has teamed up with EE - as they are part of the same network - which means existing Plusnet Mobile customers can benefit from exclusive SIM-only deals.

What to do if you're affected by the Plusnet Mobile closure

If you wish to access the mobile network, you will need to switch mobile network providers when Plusnet Mobile closes. However, if you do not wish to do this right away, you can continue using your SIM as normal until you are contacted by PlusnetMobile with a closure date. Switching your network from Plusnet Mobile is free of cancellation charges, regardless of the contract you are on and this applies whether you switch to EE or any other network.

Can I keep my Plusnet Mobile number?

If you wish to keep your mobile number you can do so by providing a PAC code to your new network provider. Details on how to switch providers can be found below.

How to switch mobile providers

Switching mobile providers is easy and can be done via a simple text from your phone. Below we list the steps you need to take when switching from Plusnet Mobile to EE or an alternative network.

How to switch from Plusnet Mobile to EE

If you are a Plusnet SIM-only customer and choose to switch to EE you can benefit from exclusive SIM-only deals that are only available to Plusnet customers. Before switching, however, it is worth using a comparison site such as Uswitch to shop around at other networks to ensure you are getting the best deal. If you have more than one SIM card that you wish to switch to EE, or you would prefer to talk to someone about the switch you can call Plusnet on 0800 079 1133 for help.

If you want to keep your mobile number when switching you will need your PAC code which can be found by texting 'PAC' to 65075. Additional information on switching mobile providers can be found in our article, 'How to switch mobile networks with a text message'.

How to switch from Plusnet Mobile to another network

If you decide that you don't want to switch to EE you can choose to switch to another mobile provider. A quick and easy way to compare some of the best mobile network deals is via a comparison site such as Uswitch as you can compare deals from multiple providers at once.

Once you have found a network provider that you wish to switch to you can text INFO to 85075 on your existing device to find out details about your Plusnet Mobile contract and any outstanding payments. You will not be charged a cancellation fee for switching networks. If you don't want to text you can also call 500 from your Plusnet mobile or call 0800 079 1133 from another phone.

If you wish to keep your mobile number when switching networks you will need to ensure you provide your new network with your PAC number. This can be obtained by texting 'PAC' to 65075. More information can be found in our article, 'How to switch mobile networks with a text message'.

How to save money on your phone bill

If you find that your mobile phone bill has recently increased or are looking for additional ways to save money, our article, 'How to save money on your mobile phone bill' has a number of money-saving tips. When shopping around, it may also be worth considering which networks increase their prices mid-contract, we share which mobile providers are increasing their prices in 2023 in our article, 'Mobile price increases for 2023 – provider price rises revealed'.

If you're struggling to afford your mobile phone bill you should contact your network provider to explain your circumstances as you may be able to swap to a cheaper deal. Alternatively, you may be eligible for a social tariff, such as VOXI for Now which has unlimited data, calls and texts for just £10 a month.