How do I switch broadband provider?

It might seem like a hassle to switch internet providers, and easy to assume that they all offer similar products.

New Ofgem regulations introduced in June 2015 have made it easier than ever to switch and comparison websites help you to see the different options available to you. We have put together a quick guide to walk you through the process:

You will never be stopped from switching broadband provider. Even if you’re in a contract you can still change to a company of your choosing. However, you will generally face a termination fee which in some cases can be quite hefty, it’s always worth checking how much the fee is in relation to your savings to see if it’s an economical decision. There are instances where you will be able to switch mid-contract without a cancellation fee, for example if your bills have increased more than inflation or if your broadband provider is in a breach of contract.

When you compare broadband deals, it’s easy to see the price as the only factor to consider. Although price is obviously very important it’s worth checking out reviews for the customer service levels of different companies before you switch.

This depends on what you’re looking for. BT and Virgin are the most commonly available and will be able to offer maximum speeds of 300 Mpbs in a lot of areas and so can seem like the obvious option. A lot of people don’t need such high connection speeds however so it’s always worth scouting around for best broadband deals in your area as a lot of smaller companies will be able to offer more suitable speeds at a more competitive rate.

This isn’t to say the smaller companies can’t keep up however. Hyperoptic are now delivering speeds of up to 1Gbps in some select areas for as little as £49 a month for the first year. So, if you’re a real speed freak then you might want to keep an eye out for this one.

Choosing your new broadband provider will take a matter of minutes, however the switch over from your old company to your new company will take a little longer. There is no set amount and it will vary from company to company, however a general rule is around the 2-week mark.

This will depend entirely on the broadband provider you were with initially. Different companies have different policies when it comes to this. For example, BT and Sky will allow you to keep your email even after you switch, whereas Virgin Media and Talk Talk will give you 3 and 12 month respectively before deleting it. Always make sure you double check with your provider to avoid any email agony.