Many consumers switch broadband providers every year in the hope of avoiding service issues and benefiting from better offers. While switching can be a positive move, certain risks are associated with doing so. In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the most common problems when switching broadband, along with how you can avoid them.

Cancellation fees

You’re usually charged a fee when you cancel your broadband contract before the end date. They may charge all of your remaining months on your contract. If you have a long-term contract, this can be a huge problem. This fee varies from provider to provider, but it’s usually around £20 per month.

To avoid being charged cancellation fees, check with your provider before switching to make sure they don’t charge any fees when you cancel your contract. If they do, ask them if there are any exceptions.

New installation

The most common problems when switching broadband are related to installation and setup, so you must know what to expect before starting your new service. If you want to solve this problem, call an engineer to come and install your new broadband. It’s not uncommon for this step to take longer than expected.

Providers aren’t available

Some providers’ networks are limited or unavailable in some parts of the country. This is a common problem when switching broadband and it’s easy to avoid. Use an online broadband comparison tool like ours to find out what is available in your area, and then choose a provider that can provide you with the speed you need.

No internet between switching

When switching to a new broadband provider, knowing that the internet may be down for a while before you get connected is important.

If you’re switching from one Openreach provider to another, your connection will likely be interrupted for a few minutes while the new connection is made.

Switching between different providers with different networks can take several hours. This means you may not be able to use your broadband immediately after switching.

You can solve this problem using mobile broadband while switching from one provider to another. You can also use your smartphone to tether while you wait.

New service isn’t working properly

If this is the case, call your broadband provider’s support line and tell them that you are having problems with your new service. They will try to fix the problem for you as soon as possible. If you’re unhappy with their response, you have a right to cancel and ask for a refund. If you do this within 14 days of the date you first subscribed to the service, you’ll be entitled to a full refund of your initial payment.

Still being charged by my old provider

In some cases, this is not just a problem with your new provider but also with your old one. You may need to contact both providers to get things sorted out as quickly as possible so that you don’t run into any unexpected costs or penalties while switching over.

Conclusion

When switching broadband providers, the procedure is quite simple and can be done without much hassle. On the other hand, there are a lot of ways you can go wrong. It’s important to know exactly what to do if you have broadband problems. Armed with this advice, you’re significantly more likely to avoid the pitfalls and jump on your new service sooner rather than later.