Dealing with broadband while moving home
Moving into a perfect new property is a time of excitement. To avoid any unnecessary stress while moving home, we explain how to avoid leaving your broadband access behind on the big day.
Switching your residential address can seem like a painful process. There’s lots to organise for sure, but with care and planning it should go smoothly.
One of the items to tick off the checklist is broadband. Quite often this is a very important utility that you’ll want to pack up and carry over for a seamless swap into your new home.
Before you move…
With plenty of time to spare, it’s vital to establish some strategies long before moving home:
- Check availability at the new home. Use postcode checkers on providers and comparison websites to see which services have local coverage. Also, make sure to ask your new landlord or seller of the house if there is existing broadband connection in the property.
- Can your current contract be moved? Look at your contract terms and the provider’s own FAQs to see what’s possible – do you even want to move it?
Find out the notice requirements. How long does the provider require for moving or cancelling the broadband and will it incur any costs?
Staying with a provider vs. Switching
A key decision is whether you keep or replace your broadband when moving home. If a current contract’s minimum term is over, then moving home might be an ideal opportunity for change.
Here we’ll examine some of the key benefits of either to assist your choice.
Option 1: Staying put
This is by far the easiest and simplest solution, despite not always being most cost-effective. Just notify the provider of the move and let them handle the changeover.
- PRO: You may like and trust the provider’s service and their customer care, which can go a long way.(No hassle in signing up with other providers and having to wait until they create your new connection)
- CON: They may ask for a new full contract signup during the move, keeping you locked in for another 12,18 or maybe 24 months.
Option 2: Making the switch
If you are free to leave without penalty, switching providers can be attractive. Maybe a speed upgrade is timely and available on a better deal for less money?
- PRO: Better offers for new customers. Discounted deals are available with freebies such as devices, gift cards or grocery vouchers.
- CON: Possible longer waits for activation could mean you face delays in setting things up after moving in.
Remember too that it’s your responsibility to manage the cancellation of your current service – and if you’re still in contract this will cost money.
Approaching your move date
Generally, most providers ask for at least 2 weeks notice before a move date and preferably 30 days for cancellations.
So as a confirmed expected date is agreed, notify the provider of the intention to move or terminate the service.
At this time you might feel able to sign up for a new deal, typically if the new property is now in your possession and vacant. However, it’s more likely this should happen upon arrival.
Most crucially – be sure to abide by minimum notice periods. Leaving things later may not only delay broadband set-up in the new address but potentially block the line for your old home’s new occupants.
Finally, the move date
Be prepared for the switch off. Remember that the internet in your old home may not be active on the move date and possibly several days prior.
Similarly, the internet connection in your new home may not be switched on for at least a few days or possibly weeks. So how can I stay connected?
Well, tethering a smartphone is a popular backup option during a house move. Just be sure to check that your mobile network provider doesn’t charge extra for this, while keeping a close eye on your data usage.
Above all else, good luck with the move and enjoy the new connection!
Need more information? Contact us.
