Okay so you already have Broadband Internet so why change providers?
Well for one thing the chances are that if you’ve had Broadband for 12-18 months then changing providers can not only save you money but also greatly improve your Broadband speed. To put this into perspective a 1Mb link today cost around the same you paid for just 256k a year ago.
If you’re nearly at the end of your contract, then there is a good chance that you could switch to another supplier without paying any extra costs.
The key benefits of switching broadband providers is to increase speed and / or reduce monthly costs (And if you want to see what a difference increased speed makes why not see Broadband Speed) Not only that, many Broadband suppliers now offer value added services such as free wireless broadband routers to new customers.
A word of warning though. If you just cancel you’re existing service and take out a new broadband contract then you’ll end up without Broadband for several days at the least. You wouldn’t do this with a mobile phone after all would you?
Luckily, switching providers is a very easy process. Most providers have signed a code of practice which makes it easy to change Broadband providers.
Switch providers is very similar to switching mobile phone providers – Where numbers are ported between companies, so there isn’t downtime. When you purchase a Broadband plan, you are given a code which the new provider will use to transfer you. This Broadband transfer code is known as a Migration Authority Code (MAC). Once this code has been transferred between the providers you’re with, your service should be moved to the new provider without distruption.
If you do decide to switch Broadband providers you shouldn’t cancel your current subscription with your existing Broadband provider. Allow your new provider to do the work for you using the MAC number, this should then result in the automatic termination of your existing provider. (Note: Although this process is ‘Automatic’ we’d advise checking to ensure that your existing service is terminated. You should note that if you change your suppliers before your current contract has ended, you may be liable for the outstanding charges).
Lastly if you do decide to move providers your existing Broadband supplier may try to entice you with a free upgrade / reduced cost in order to keep your business which may simplify your decision.
Tags: broadband, broadband prices, broadband providers, change broadband, switch broadband