How to switch your broadband provider

Switching your broadband helps to make sure you are with the best internet service and that you get the best possible broadband deal. According to a recent survey, 77% of those switching their broadband found a cheaper package, faster speeds and more reliable connections.

Our guide explains five steps to making your broadband switch easy.

Usually, when you sign up for a broadband deal this is on a fixed term contract. You should check with your existing provider when your contract expires and the earliest date that you can make a switch. Leaving your broadband contract early could incur an expensive fee for early cancellation.

Where you live can affect the maximum broadband speeds you can achieve, and it’s important to check you this before you commit to a new broadband deal. Ofcom offers a free service to check your broadband speed. Once you know the top speeds available in your local area, you can then compare broadband packages and choose one that meets the internet needs of your household.

Building your TV, landline, mobile and broadband or elements thereof could also save you money. Sky and Virgin are both well-known for those wanting to reach a wide number of TV channels, while BT and TalkTalk offer more basic TV options in their broadband bundles. 

You can compare broadband providers using our chart. Broadband deals usually have a monthly fee, and some include a set-up fee. Some broadband providers also include cashback deals to reduce the overall cost of your broadband.

In most cases, switching broadband providers is easy to do, especially when switching between Sky, Plusnet, BT EE and TalkTalk as they all operate on the same network. However, switching to Virgin Media can take slightly longer as they have a different infrastructure. Speak to your new broadband provider and they can then organise the cancellation of your previous broadband contract, send you your new broadband box and agree a switch over date.