Switching Broadband Provider

The aim of the tool is to provide you with details of the deals available to you. It's up to you to decide which deal is right for you. Think about the services you actually use and base your search on that.

Unbundling is where you get your broadband and phone line rental from one provider, and your TV from another. It can work out cheaper than getting them from the same provider and it's what makes this tool different - we include Unbundled deals in the results.

We will tell you which providers allow you to do it but we can't show you the upfront Effective Monthly Cost just yet. Most people pay for broadband and line rental monthly so it's not something we've included in this first incarnation of the tool. We are constantly improving the tool, so this may be something we add at a later date. We do include a few hand-picked deals from other comparisons sites too, as well as deals MoneySavingExpert has blagged directly from providers.

Let us know by emailing the details to unbundled@moneysavingexpert.com. We'll take a look and see if we can include it.

During the application process on the provider's site.

Sometimes members of specialist cashback websites can be paid when they sign up to some products and services. Do check that it's exactly the same deal though, as terms can differ. Also remember the cashback is never 100% guaranteed until it's in your account.

Full help to take advantage of this and pros & cons in our Top Cashback Sites guide.

Most of the time, yes. When you call up you're likely to be offered a different deal, often not as strong as the online one.

If you're happy with them and the price is right, then go for it. Telecoms companies are easy to haggle with so if the offer isn't quite what you want, try to negotiate a better one. Though do a comparison first so you know what other deals are out there - it can help your case.

Please email unbundled@moneysavingexpert.com with full details.

You can but those deals often cost more than the deals with lines so they're not often worth it, though do check - this tool includes them.

Most BT deals require you to redeem this once your connection has been activated. Once you’ve received confirmation that it’s been activated, you’ve got three months to claim your gift via the link below:

https://www.bt.com/manage/bt-reward-card/

See this link https://www.sky.com/help/articles/how-to-claim-your-reward

You'll be sent an email to the address you gave when you signed up. You'll normally receive this within 10 working days of your service being activated. Once you’ve filled in the form, you should get your voucher within 30 days.

If you don’t receive it within 30 days, call 0800 587 1995.

If you signed up to an MSE Blagged deal - a best-in-market offer we've negotiated exclusively - which involves you being sent a voucher, we'll always do our best to ensure you get the voucher.

However, there can occasionally be problems with the deal tracking. In particular, if you were running ad-blocking software or cookie blockers when you signed up for the deal, or exited your browser while in the process of signing up, this can stop it tracking correctly. We've some key steps that can help:

1) Do first make sure you've followed all the steps required to get the voucher or cashback. Some deals require you to fill in online forms to redeem the offer, separately from signing up to it.

2) Also you can check the details of expired deals at this link - before going further, check that the deal is due (sometimes you might have to wait up to 90 days to receive it).

3) If you've done this and your voucher is now overdue, first reach out to your provider, which'll be best placed to follow up.

4) If you've already done steps 1-3 and are still struggling, drop a note through to voucherhelp@moneysavingexpert.com including your full name, order number, provider and details of the deal. If you're eligible we'll see if we can help push the provider for you.

Firms are required to show the average speed received by at least 50% of its current customer base between 8pm and 10pm - when most people are online. However, you should still only use it as an indication of the speeds you may get. If you want to know the speed you're most likely to get to your home, the best way is to check before committing to a contract. Most major providers adhere to Ofcom's voluntary code of practice, which means you will be shown an estimated access line speed before committing - based on the speeds of other customers with a similar connection.

Mostly no, but it doesn't hurt just to be sure. Moving to or from Virgin can be slightly different - see below.

Switching broadband to and from companies other than Virgin Media: Every major provider except Virgin (200+ in total, incl BT, Sky & TalkTalk) is on the BT Openreach network. If you're switching between them, when you sign up for a new deal it's the new supplier's job to notify your existing one and cancel the contract. You don't need to do anything else.

Moving broadband to or from Virgin: Since Virgin Media runs its own network, the switching process is a little more complicated. You'll need to contact your existing supplier yourself to cancel. It should then give you a termination date, so try to coordinate this with the start date With Virgin Media to avoid loss of service. This is a standard process and you should be able to do it without much hassle.

Switching TV (whether as part of a package or a separate deal): If you're switching broadband, it works as above. If you're switching a TV deal - whether or not it's with the same provider as your broadband - you'll need to call up and cancel the package yourself. Typically you'll need to give 30 days' notice. If you're still in contract you're also likely to have to pay the remainder of the contract to get out of it. As you have to cancel the old TV deal and sign up to the new one, you'll need to ensure you time it right to avoid paying two TV providers in one month.

Yes, but assuming it all goes smoothly usually only for no more than a few hours on the day it's being connected.

You should almost always be able to keep your number, though you may encounter problems if you're switching at the same time as moving home. Just tell your new provider you want to keep it - usually as part of the sign up process - and it should arrange it with your previous provider.

You can but you're more than likely to pay early termination fees to cover the remainder of your contract. Check your original contract to find out the exact terms and fees payable if you do.

If broadband is available in the area you're moving to, often you can. If it's not, call up your provider and ask. Some may have to pay, others may waive the fees.

You'll be rolled onto your providers standard prices - typically far more than you'll pay on a promotional offer. Diarise the end of your contract and make sure you switch to another promo deal with a new provider, or haggle with your existing provider to avoid paying more than you have to.

Technically, as often as you like. However, you're likely to agree to a miniumum contract term. If you switch during that period, you'll be liable to pay for the remainder of your contract anyway so it's not usually worth it. Do weigh up how long you have to go though - if a new deal is cheap enough you may want to pay to get out of the contract.

Technical problems can occur but they're rare and it may take longer than expected depending on where you live.

It depends on the service. For Sky you'll need an engineer to come and set it up. For Virgin, BT etc. often you can do it yourself. Technical issues can occur in which case you may need an engineer. Your provider will tell you if that's the case.

An engineer will need to come round to set it up. This can take a little while to arrange and is often on weekdays.

You can but the point of this tool is that we show when it is and isn't cheaper. Plus it's not an option with some providers.

Yes. This is normal for utilities - as it is for energy and mobile contracts to this is the ensure you'll honour the contract. If you're worried, you can check your credit file via our Credit Club.

Under rules from regulator Ofcom, if the contract was taken out after 23 Jan 2014, if your landline, broadband or mobile (but not TV) firm raises prices without warning you before you signed up then you are allowed to leave penalty-free.

But do check the T&Cs as providers may state in there that they reserve the right to hike prices in line with inflation, which would count as a warning.

If it happens without warning all you have to do is tell your provider within 30 days of getting notification from it, and you can then leave penalty-free. That said, only do so if you can find a better price.

The broadband industry doesn't have the best customer service reputation and while a provider may be good for some, it can be hell for others. Common problems include installation dates not being met, limited service or slow speeds, incorrect billing and more. It's always worth trying to call your provider first, but if not then try Resolver*, the complaints handling tool.

Where necessary we will warn you about poorly rated providers. That said, even top-rated providers sometimes have problems.

We've tips in our Boost Broadband Speed Guide.

If it's within the cooling off period - typically 14 days - you can. After that you're liable for the cost of the contract.

Please email unbundled@moneysavingexpert.com with full details.