We all have busy lines, no one can deny that, and that’s one of the reasons why we often stick with our broadband providers even when they don’t offer us the best deal. The prospect of putting up with pushy salespeople on the phone, the thought of spending a day looking up different companies to find the best deal and even just a sense of loyalty to the company that has provided you with an internet connection for years could be costing you money.
With just a little research and by following this step by step guide to switching your home broadband, you could soon be paying less money for a better service.
Step one – Check your contract
It is important to know whether you signed up for a contract of a fixed length when you first registered for broadband with your company. Some companies will automatically place you back into a twelve month (or longer) contract when yours expires, so you must check the information that you were originally provided with to see if you are able to switch. If you can’t find out if you are signed up for a certain length of time why not give your internet service provider a quick call? Remember that you may be able to get out of a contract early, but it will usually cost you money.
Step two – Find a great deal
Use deal comparison websites, the websites of the internet providers themselves and any review websites that you can find until you find the very best deal for you. If you are changing from a current provider, keep your eyes peeled for the following:
- Does this new deal provide faster download speeds than the company that you are currently with?
- Is the price cheaper for the same service?
- How much will you be able to download in comparison with what you can download now?
- Will dealing with the customer service team of the new company be a more pleasant experience than with your current provider?
With just a bit of research you will soon have narrowed your search down to the best deal.
Step three – Contact your current provider
Unfortunately the job of contacting your current provider must usually be done over the phone, so it is important to be confident and firm during your phone call. You need to ask your current provider for your MAC code, this stands for Migration Authorisation Code and contains all of the details regarding your current internet connection that your new provider will need. When you ask for the code, expect your current provider to try to keep you. They may offer a new and improved deal, so be firm if you are sure that you wish to change to a new internet provider. It can take anything from a few days to a couple of weeks to receive your MAC code, so don’t cancel your contract just yet.
Step four – Sign up to your new deal
Once you have received your MAC number you will be ready to sign up to the new deal that you have discovered. Depending on the provider and the connection type, they may be able to supply your connection immediately or within a few days. When you know that your new internet connection will be supplied, feel free to cancel your existing subscription to start to enjoy the internet as it should be.
