To switch or not to switch?
Unless you’re moving into your first home, it’s likely you’ll have to decide if you’re taking your existing TV, broadband or landline services with you when you go.
To help make the decision easier, here’s our guide to sticking or switching packages when you move.
Before you decide
The first thing you should check is if you’re past the point of your minimum contract term. If yes, you’ll be able to cancel your broadband, TV or phone service without incurring early termination fees. If you’re still under contract, it’s likely you’ll be stung with such a fee – the amount determined by how long is left on your contract and what you’ve signed up for. As a rule, the more services (broadband, TV, landline) and the longer left on your contract, the more you’ll pay.
It may be the case that it doesn’t make economic sense to cancel early, or you could find you’re free to switch – either way, you’ll be in a more informed position while getting ready for the move.
What’s availability like?
Just because you’ve got used to superfast broadband and cable TV at your old house, there’s no guarantee you’ll get it in your new home. If a provider is unable to offer you the same level of service, they may offer the next best option. Alternatively, you could chose to shop around for a new deal as a result of this.
Rightmove is currently trialling a broadband speed check so you can find out what’s available in your area or a property you’re interested in on Rightmove – check it out here.
Are you happy with your current provider?
Although this sounds like a question you’d get from a cold-caller, it’s an important one: moving home could provide you with the perfect excuse to break away from a contract that you’ve been unhappy with.
However, if you’ve had no service, customer care or reliability issues, then it could be worthwhile sticking – especially when there’s lots of other things to deal with when moving home.
How to move – or switch
Broadband, TV and phone providers are eager to keep old customers and win new ones, so all the major players provide specific advice on how to take their services with you or take the plunge with them if you’re a new customer.
To switch broadband, you’ll need a MAC code (Migration Access Code) from your previous provider. It’ll give your new supplier important information about your connection, what exchange you connect to, how fast your line is and so on, and make the whole process easier.
If you switch
Check the small print of your contract to find out if you’re expected to return any technology that your previous provider supplied – this could include, for example, set-top boxes, modems or routers. Most companies do expect you to return your hardware, and there can be unexpected penalty fees if you don’t.
It’s easy to forget this when you’re going through the process of moving home – so be sure to double-check you’ve not left behind anything that a telecoms, TV or broadband provider might charge you for later.
To find out what the broadband speed is like in your area check out Rightmove’s NEW broadband search.
This article was written by Dean Reilly of Cable.co.uk, the Ofcom accredited broadband, TV and phone comparison site.
Visit www.cable.co.uk to find the right broadband for your new home.
