Switching broadband providers can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never changed your internet provider before. If you’re paying too much, your internet speed is slow, or you want a better deal, read on to learn how to switch broadband providers. I promise it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think!
I’ll explain when to switch broadband, talk about broadband switcher sites and share some of the best broadband switch deals.
Why should I switch broadband and phone provider?
1. Your price increased
There once was a time when companies would go to great lengths to keep existing customers happy. Sadly, this type of customer service isn’t as common as it used to be. Loyalty no longer pays and it’s a sad reality that the longer you stay with your broadband provider, the less likely you are to get a good deal. In fact, research from Which has shown that the major providers increase prices for out-of-contract customers by as much as 80%.
Existing customers often experience sneaky price increases that seem small at the time but over a few years can result in your bills doubling. When I first bought my flat in 2017, my Sky broadband bills were only £18 a month. Over time they increased to a whopping £35 a month - and my internet speed got worse over time, not better.
If your provider tells you your prices are going up by an amount greater than inflation, Ofcom says you must be given the right to switch to a different provider – even if you’re in a contract.
If you’re out of contract, you can switch whenever you want - whether your price has increased or not.
While broadband companies treat existing customers like mugs, they’re very eager to attract new customers. This means that you may be able to save money, improve your internet speed and get a better deal by switching.
2. You can see better deals elsewhere
Even if your price hasn’t increased since you signed up, there might be cheaper deals elsewhere. If you spot one, it makes sense to switch as long as you’re not tied into a contract.
3. Your connection is slow or unreliable
If you’re having problems with your internet speed, this could be a sign it’s time to switch. If switching sounds like. a lot of hassle or you’d rather stay with your current provider, there’s no harm in contacting them to ask if they can fix the problem, upgrade you or reduce your current price. If they’re unhelpful, switch!
How much can I save if I switch broadband and phone provider?
The amount you can save by switching broadband providers will depend on how much you’re paying at the moment and the type of broadband package you’re looking for. If you’re paying £40 at the moment and you can find a £20 deal, that’s a huge £240 saving each year!
You may be able to save/make even more by making the most of cashback deals.
How to switch broadband providers: Step by Step Guide
Switching broadband providers might seem like a scary task. If you rely on your internet (and who doesn’t?), you might be worried about downtime.
Step 1 - Check you can leave your current provider
Before you start looking for better deals, it’s a good idea to check you’re able to leave your current provider. If you’re mid contract, you might have to pay an exit fee to switch. You should be able to find this information on any letters you’ve received or by logging into your account. If you can’t find the answer, give your provider a call and ask: ‘can I switch broadband mid-contract?’ If you’re unhappy with your internet speed or you’re paying too much, tell them! They might be able to improve your connection or offer you a better deal.
Step 2 - Compare broadband deals
Next, it’s time to compare broadband deals. There are a number of places you can do this such as: Money Saving Expert, Which broadband comparison and MoneySuperMarket.
Some comparison tools will want to know your postcode. This is because some deals will only be available in certain areas.
Most tools will ask you some questions so it can filter down the results and only show you ones that are suitable for you. You can usually filter the options down based on:
- Minimum speed
- Data allowance
- Price
- Contract length
- Line rental included
Bizarrely, broadband packages that include line rental are often cheaper than broadband-only packages. So even if you have no plans to use the landline, it might be worth signing up for a line-rental inclusive option.
If you do intend to use a landline, look out for generous packages such as free evening and weekend calls.
Step 3 - Contact your chosen provider
Once you’ve decided where you’d like to switch to, it’s time to contact your chosen provider. You can usually do this via their website. Most of the time, you can sign up within minutes. Once you’ve created your account the new provider will start the switching process for you. It’s unlikely you’ll have to do very much yourself.
How to switch broadband providers: FAQs
In this section, I’ll answer some FAQs!
Do you have to cancel broadband before switching?
Aside from Virgin Media, every major provider is on the BT Openreach network. If you’re switching between different companies on the same network, you probably won’t have to cancel or even contact your current provider to tell them you’re leaving.
However, if you’re switching to Virgin, you’ll need to get in touch with your existing supplier to cancel. You should be given a termination date which is when your contract with them will end. So it makes sense to try and line this date up with the date your Virgin Media package starts. Otherwise you might experience downtime where you don’t have any access to the internet at all! This might sound overwhelming but remember that broadband companies deal with this hundreds or even thousands of times each day. They’re used to moving people over and your new company will hopefully want to make things easy for you.
How long does a broadband switch take?
One of the most common questions asked by reluctant switchers is ‘how long does switching broadband take?’
Switching broadband provider can sometimes take around 10-30 working days, but don’t worry - you won’t have much (or hopefully any) downtime during this period and you won’t have to do very much yourself.
Once you’ve created an account with your new provider and have requested the switch, it’s your new supplier’s job to get the ball rolling and move you over to them. However, this is unlikely to happen straight away and will usually take a few weeks before you’ve officially swapped providers. The switching process will happen behind the scenes while you get on with your life. Your internet connection should work as normal throughout the process but there’s sometimes a couple of hours downtime right before the switch is complete.
What are the different broadband speed options?
The biggest differentiator between various broadband deals is usually speed. Broadband speed is measured in megabits per second and the faster the speed, the more you’ll usually pay.
The most common broadband speed options are:
- Standard (average speeds of 10-11Mb) This is the most basic level. If you’re getting less than 10mb, it’s worth getting in touch with your provider to find out why.
- Fast fibre-optic broadband (average speeds of 35-50Mb). If you’ve never had fibre broadband before, you may need an engineer to come out to install it.
- Superfast fibre-optic (with average speeds around 63Mb). As before, this option also uses fibre wires but it’s even faster
- Ultrafast fibre-optic broadband (average speeds usually above 100Mb). As you could probably have guessed, this option is even faster than the others. Only a limited number of suppliers offer this option.
Should I get standard, super fast or fibre?
If you just use the internet for online shopping, scrolling through social media and there’s only one person watching Netflix at a time, you probably don’t need a super-fast internet connection. You might even get away with Standard speed.
If, however, you do a lot of streaming, gaming, downloading or your home has lots of people in it and you’re all on the internet at the same time, you might be frustrated by anything less than Superfast.
Will I experience downtime?
It’s unlikely that you’ll experience any downtime during the broadband switching process. In the rare case that you’re one of the unlucky ones, you’re probably looking at a couple of hours downtime at the most. This might happen right before the switch is complete, but again, downtime is uncommon.
Do I need to let someone into my home to switch internet providers?
You might assume someone has to come to your home and mess about with cables and phone lines - the last thing you want if you’re busy or concerned about letting strangers into your home during a pandemic.
Thankfully, it’s not always necessary for someone to come along and fiddle with your connection. Most of the time, the work can be completed remotely.
Can I switch if I rent?
If you’re wondering how to switch broadband providers when you’re a renter, fear not! All the tips above should still be applicable and you don’t have to own your home to switch. You just need to be the one paying the bills! If the bills are in your name and the money comes out of your bank account, follow all the tips above. If your landlord pays and you give them the money, you’ll need to ask their permission to switch. Your landlord will need to start the switching process if the bills are in their name.
If this guide has helped you learn how to switch broadband providers, you might also like my How To Switch Energy Suppliers guide. In my opinion, switching energy companies is even easier!
