When you’re moving house, thinking about switching your broadband might not be at the top of your priority list. But it’s important to make sure you have a good broadband connection as soon as possible, especially if you’re working from home, or want to stay in contact with friends and family.
Before You Move
Ideally, you should start thinking about the switching process before you make the move. Planning ahead will save you from potential problems that could crop up in the future.
The first place to start is to check what broadband suppliers are available in your new area. You can use our price comparison tool on our homepage to see what your choices are by typing in the postcode of your potential new home. This will help you decide whether to switch your provider or save money by choosing a new broadband deal.
Before you make a decision, however, it’s important to check the contract you signed with your current provider. If you’re in the fixed-term part of your agreement, which usually lasts around 12-24 months, you may have to pay an early termination charge to be able to leave your contract. This cancellation fee can vary depending on your provider, so it’s best to contact their customer service department.
By staying with your current provider, you’ll avoid paying any fees, but some providers might still require you to sign a completely new contract for your new location. If you decide to switch, you might save money on your previous broadband package, and gain access to better speeds.
Moving Home With Your Current Provider
If you do decide to stay with your current provider, you’ll need to let them know in advance that you are moving property. The majority of broadband providers require 2 weeks notice and may send out an engineer to help with the move.
In some circumstances, your current provider might not be able to provide you with an internet connection in your new home. If this does happen, you may be able to leave your contract without any penalties, as you’re not at fault.
Moving Home and Switching Provider
You’ll need to give your current provider 30 days notice if you decide to switch to a provider who offers a better price or faster broadband speeds in your new house.
If you’re moving into a house that doesn’t currently have any internet connection, then you’ll need to have a broadband cable installed. This may be the case if you move into an older property that is in an area where fibre optic delivered by Virgin Media has recently become available. This will require an engineer to come out and spend a couple of hours installing the new connection.
Summary
We hope that this guide we have provided helps you when moving home, whether you stay with your current provider or switch to a new one.
If you've decided that changing broadband provider is probably the best choice for you, we're here to help! Visit our homepage to compare a range of broadband providers and find the best deal available in your potential new location! Type in your postcode, choose your perfect deal and price range, and we'll do the rest!
